On a chilly night BMO Field, Toronto FC defeated league leaders Chivas USA 1-0 to earn their first home win of the young MLS season.

Chivas USA had the better of early play, including a close-call chance for Alecko Eskandarian in the opening minutes. The striker was unable to get on the end of a low cross, however, and an offside flag negated his efforts completely. Unfortunately for the Goats, the inability to take advantage of that early push would prove fatal.

Toronto took back the game almost immediately, and appeared to have a legitimate claim for a penalty in the 17th minute when Danny Dichio had his legs swept out from underneath him in the corner of the box. No call was made, and the home standing Reds continued on with their push for goal.

Toronto would get the breakthrough in the 36th minute, when a poor clearance attempt by Chivas' fell perfectly to the head of striker Danny Dichio. Dichio's flick caught Amado Guevara perfectly in stride, and after fighting off two defenders, the former MLS MVP calmly hit the ball past Chivas goalkeeper Zach Thornton. Toronto was off and running at home, a lead in their pocket heading into the closing minutes of the first half.

Danny Dichio followed up his excellent offensive efforts with a poorly timed tackle in the 38th minute, which earned him the games first card. The color was yellow, though the tackle was rash enough that it could have easily earned a straight red.

The half had a bit more to offer, with Toronto's Chad Barrett getting through the Chivas defense in the 45th minute. The mercurial striker's low hit shot was not enough to beat Thornton, however, and Chivas remained only a goal down going to the second half.

The second half opened with neither team asserting themselves, though Toronto eventually settled things enough to gain the majority of possession. Action remained at premium until the 57th minute, when Chivas' Eskandarian earned a yellow card for a rash tackle. Eskandarian was taken off shortly thereafter, as Chivas manager Preki inserted Michel Lahmoud, a clear sign of frustration with his anemic attack.

TFC began to assert themselves after the first fifteen minutes, finding ample room on the wings through runs by outside backs Wynne and Brennan. Chivas looked listless, never truly threatening a solid Toronto back line. Strong play from Adrian Serioux led the Reds defense, and Chivas found it difficult to penetrate. Attempting to play through midfield, the Goats were stymied by an interchanging TFC formation that enabled the Canadian club to keep constant pressure on the ball.

The last fifteen minutes saw the leaders pull back, as Chivas searched for the equalizer. Frustration boiled over in the 79th minute when Chivas midfielder Sacha Kljestan earned the third card of the match, a yellow for rough play. Toronto dropped more men behind the ball, throwing up a defensive wall in front of the visitors. Pablo Nagamura created created Chivas' best late chance, a run to the end line that ultimately ended with a weak shot that TFC keeper Stephan Frei handled easily.

A final salvo from Chivas came to naught when veteran midfielder Jesse Marsch hit a long shot high and wide. More strong work from Adrian Serioux closed out the match, frustrating the Goats once again.

The referee blew the final whistle, and Toronto FC's first home victory of the season was in the book. The win vaults Toronto to second place in the Eastern Conference on eight points, while Chivas remains on thirteen, still four points clear of second place Seattle out west.

Scoring:
TOR -- Amado Guevara 3 (unassisted) 36

Discipline:
TOR -- Danny Dichio (caution; Reckless Tackle) 38
CHV -- Alecko Eskandarian (caution; Reckless Tackle) 57
CHV -- Sacha Kljestan (caution; Reckless Foul) 79

MFUSA's Man of the Match: Amado Guevara

This was my first attempt at a fairly straight match report; seeing as it's my first, please feel free to critique the quality. I have many more thoughts on this match that I may espouse later, specifically on the differences between TFC's attack with DeRosario and without DeRosario (and the problems it may cause if TFC continues to play well until he comes back).