It was home sweet home for Toronto FC as the Reds finally returned to BMO Field after a difficult 7 game road trip to start their 2015 Major League Soccer campaign. With a respectable able 9 points from seven games away from home, TFC were looking to vanquish the Houston Dynamo in their home opener in front of 30,000 fans at the revamped and expanded BMO Field as the club looked to build on the momentum it had generated both and off the pitch in recent weeks.



Facing off against a Dynamo side that is still yet to find its stride under new Head Coach Owen Coyle, TFC Head Coach Greg Vanney fielded a first choice lineup after playing a second string squad midweek against the Montreal Impact in the Amway Canadian Championship tournament. With starting keeper Joe Bendik still injured, backup keeper Chris Konopka got his third straight start between the sticks.

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Toronto came close to opening the scoring early in the 6th minute when Giovinco delivered a corner kick to a an unmarked Jozy Altidore, with the U.S. International getting plenty of power on a header that was just off target.



With both teams struggling to generate significant scoring chances, the Dynamo came close with a chance of their own in the 23rd minute with a blast from distance that required a diving save from Konopka to tip the ball over the crossbar.



With Altidore delivering a strong half for the Reds, it would nonetheless be Houston that would open the scoring following a bad tackle from Michael Bradley in the penalty box that resulted in a penalty kick.



Oscar Garcia stepped to take the penalty shot in the 44th minute and saw his initial effort stopped by Konopka. However, the Honduras International was able to tap in the rebound and give his side the lead heading into the half-time break.



The Second Half



Houston quickly doubled their lead in the 53rd minute when Bradley had trouble containing Giles Barnes on the break, with the Dynamo forward taking advantage of some poor marking by Toronto to set up Will Bruin for Houston’s second goal of the game.



Houston came within inches of scoring a third goal in the 64th minute on a fantastic effort from Barnes from distance that beat Konopka but ultimately rang off the crossbar and out.



The Reds had a chance to pull one back in the 67th minute when second half substitute Jonathan Osorio found Bradley with a smart pass that TFC team captain shot high over the crossbar.



The insertion of Osorio as a second half sub paid dividends for the Reds in the 77th minute when the Canadian International delivered a fine cross that Altidore made no mistake in heading past Houston keeper Tyler Deric into the back of the Dynamo net.



With a goal to their credit, both the Toronto FC players and the BMO Field crowd came alive down the stretch. However, the Dynamo professionally closed out the game, as Toronto fell in a disappointing fashion in their home opener.



Toronto had an excellent chance at an equalizer in injury time on a corner kick when Benoit Cheyrou made an excellent run in the box but saw his header sail over the crossbar.



Overall, this was a disappointing performance from a Toronto FC side that played better in the second half but ultimately was unable to bounce back from a lackluster opening forty-five minutes.



This match will raise some questions about the Reds, as Greg Vanney’s squad looked pedestrian against a less than stellar Dynamo side after two straight league wins over Orlando and Philadelphia.



I'm generally speechless. Don't think Vanney deserves to stay. Bradley needs to be called out and real decisions need to be made #TFCLive — Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports) May 10, 2015



Man of the Match



Jozy Altidore



While Jozy Altidore’s work rate has been questioned by some early on his first season with TFC, the U.S. International brought the requisite energy and passion that you would expect for a home opener and an occasion such as the first match in the expanded and renovated BMO Field. Altidore made smart runs, linked up well with his teammates and was a handful for the Dynamo back line for much of the game. The 25 year old striker was eventually rewarded for his hard work and fine play with Toronto’s only goal of the game.



Toronto FC Line-up

1 Chris Konopka

38 Justin Morrow

24 Damien Perquis

6 Nick Hagglund

2 Ashtone Morgan

4 Michael Bradley

8 Benoit Cheyrou

55 Robbie Findley

11 Jackson

10 Sebastian Giovinco

17 Jozy Altidore



Substitutions: Jonathan Osorio for Robbie Findley (57); Collen Warner for Jackson (70); Luke Moore for Damien Perquis (90+).



While Jozy Altidore’s work rate has been questioned by some early on his first season with TFC, the U.S. International brought the requisite energy and passion that you would expect for a home opener and an occasion such as the first match in the expanded and renovated BMO Field. Altidore made smart runs, linked up well with his teammates and was a handful for the Dynamo back line for much of the game. The 25 year old striker was eventually rewarded for his hard work and fine play with Toronto’s only goal of the game.1 Chris Konopka38 Justin Morrow24 Damien Perquis6 Nick Hagglund2 Ashtone Morgan4 Michael Bradley8 Benoit Cheyrou55 Robbie Findley11 Jackson10 Sebastian Giovinco17 Jozy AltidoreJonathan Osorio for Robbie Findley (57); Collen Warner for Jackson (70); Luke Moore for Damien Perquis (90+). Who is your Man of the Match?