TORONTO — Toronto FC extended its franchise-record unbeaten streak to 11 games Saturday, beating the Rapids 1-0 on Fuad Ibrahim’s goal in the 61st minute.
Toronto has not lost a game in all competitions since May 1, a run that includes a title win in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. Toronto also has an eight-game unbeaten streak in MLS and has not lost any of its eight games at BMO Field.
Colorado arrived in Toronto riding a six-game unbeaten streak, the franchise’s best start in more than a decade. The Rapids beat Toronto 3-1 in their only other meeting of the year, at home on April 18.
“As we move forward, I think that this group knows that they are playing some good football, that we have a good opportunity to achieve something that we’ve not achieved in a long time,” Rapids coach Gary Smith said. “But quite frankly today, not enough edge and not enough determination at important times in both penalty areas to get something out of the game.”
Captain Dwayne De Rosario generated Toronto’s best chance of the first half. He set up with time and space 30 yards from the goal in the 31st minute, and blasted a shot that nearly skimmed the crossbar.
Rapids forward Conor Casey missed on two good chances in the first half. He was inches from connecting of a header on a cross from the wing in the 14th minute, and sent a redirection wide left soon afterward.
De Rosario appeared to get knocked down from behind in the box five minutes into the second half, but did not draw a call from referee Ricardo Salazar. De Rosario raised his palms in frustration again five minutes later, after sending a weak rolling shot on net.
Toronto broke through with a half-hour left in regular time, when Ibrahim took a pass, controlled it between two Rapids defenders and poked it past goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
“The goal was completely avoidable,” Smith said. “The defenders are there to do their job, unfortunately on that occasion we didn’t.”
Toronto goalkeeper Stefan Frei made a series of dazzling saves in the final moments to preserve the win.
Colorado 0 0 — 0
Toronto FC 0 1 — 1
First half — None.
Second half — 1, Toronto FC, Ibrahim 1 (Barrett), 61st minute.
Goalies — Colorado, Matt Pickens; Toronto FC, Stefan Frei.
Yellow cards — Gargan, Toronto FC, 20th.
Referee — Ricardo Salazar. Assistant referees — Peter Manikowski. Thomas Supple. 4th official — Geoff Gamble. A — 21,836 (20,000)
