A pair of youngsters scored second-half goals to give Tornonto FC a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids and stay in the hunt for a playoff birth with only five games remaining. "We know if we lost, that might have been our season," said rookie striker O'Brian White, who scored in the 71st minute to put TFC ahead 2-1.
A cracking volley from Dwayne De Rosario opened the scoring. Toronto then conceded an easy header to MLS goalscoring leader Conor Casey in the 49th minute. White, who entered the game in the 68th minute, made an immediate impact. He latched onto a De Rosario through ball and flicked it past on-rushing goalkeeper Preston Burpo for the second goal of his Toronto FC career. Three mintues later, rookie Nick Attakora then notched the first goal of his career. The TFC defender rose to head home an Amado Guevara corner kick. "I said to Nana: 'You're not the best looking kid, so go and put your head in there,'" joked TFC head coach Chris Cummins about the goal.
After being shut out for three straight games, Toronto was in desperate need of some offense. "We didn't make it easy on ourselves giving them two easy goals but I'm pleased by the way guys played and fought back into the game," said De Rosario. TFC and Real Salt Lake are now tied for the eighth and final playoff spot with identical records, but New England and Chivas lurk one point back and each have three games in hand.