Dorsch helps Toronto FC snap 12-game winless streak by beating New England Revolution
TORONTO — Niklas Dorsch scored his first-ever goal for Toronto FC as his new team won a game for the first time in more than four months, defeating the visiting New England Revolution 2-1 on Saturday.
Toronto FC had played 12 matches since its last MLS victory, which came over the Colorado Rapids on April 4th. Since then, the squad had lost five times and had seven draws.
“We needed three points and we got three points, so definitely feels great,” said Toronto head coach Robin Fraser after the game. “At the end of the day, for everything that’s been going on, we just need to win games.”
Dorsch, the newly acquired German midfielder playing his second game for TFC, stepped into a shot from well outside the penalty area and placed it perfectly in the top corner to give the Reds a 2-0 lead immediately before the halftime whistle.
“The ball was … in a perfect position,” said Dorsch of his goal, which quickly began to make the rounds on social media. “In training sometimes I try to shoot from this position, so I’m very happy it worked out today in the game and yeah, absolutely amazing feeling for me.”
TFC paid a reported $4.3 million to bring Dorsch to MLS from FC Heidenheim, an investment that already seems to be paying dividends in the eyes of Fraser.
“Fantastic,” said the TFC coach when asked about his new midfielder’s effort. “I thought he covered a ton of ground, and you could tell he was pretty tired toward the end and he just wouldn’t stop running … I thought it was a really good performance.”
The Revolution kept the pressure on the hosts for the majority of the game, especially after Toronto midfielder Djordje Mihailovic was issued a red card in the 76th minute, but weren’t able to solve the Toronto defence until Wilson Harris scored a header in the 90th minute.
The Revolution were unable to find an equalizer in extra time despite a flurry of chances.
“What we did our last 13 minutes, one man less, I think, was incredible,” said Dorsch. “Every player was fighting with their whole life, I would say … blocking a lot of balls, fighting, Luka (Gavran) unbelievable saves.
“So I think today we showed what it is to stick together as a team, play as a team, fight for each other, and this is, I think, what we have to do every game.”
New England controlled 65 per cent of the possession in the match and finished with 25 shot attempts, but were only able to get six of those on target.
“I thought our ability to defend throughout the entire field was not as good as it needs to be,” said Fraser after the game. “But I thought our determination in the box, defending, was off the chart … Sometimes games go this way, and you have to be able to win ugly ones.”
Toronto took the lead in the 43rd minute after an own goal from Revolution defender Will Sands. TFC attacker Theo Corbeanu created the chance, as his cross attempt deflected off both Sands and New England goalkeeper Matt Turner before going in the net.
It was the first home game for Toronto since parts of the FIFA World Cup were hosted at BMO Field in June and July.
“For me it was, of course, an amazing feeling playing my first home game,” said Dorsch, who debuted for TFC in New York on July 31st. “I think the three points, of course, was really important for us as a team, but also for the supporters.”
New England: Visits D.C. United on Wednesday.
Toronto: Hosts Charlotte FC on Wednesday.