Kerr concluded: “It was a pretty even game, it could have gone either way. They took advantage of two chances, we have one.”
With two and a half weeks having passed since their last game, TFC had to shake off a bit of rust in the early stages.
“We expected it. We felt like it was going to be a little clunky,” Dunfield said. “Once we got to 10 to 15 minutes, we started to find some rhythm and find ways to get around, through or over Vancouver’s midfield wall and started to develop some nice attacks.”
It took until the second half for both sides to find a breakthrough. When it came, it came quickly.
A moment of transition. Raoul Petretta hurled a ball forward towards Insigne in the center circle, he noticed Kerr’s movement into space and cleverly pushed the ball into the middle for his teammate to run onto.
“When the ball was in the air, I saw there was a lot of space in front of me,” Kerr explained. “A good pass from Lorenzo. I tried to keep my composure in front of the goal and put them in the corner.”
It was a long way from clearing the ball and strolling into the net.
“I just tell myself to stay calm,” said the 20-year-old striker. “It’s easy to get excited and waste the chance. Just ‘keep calm, stay calm.’ I took a good look at the corner and told myself to put it there.”
Dunfield was happy with the striker’s performance.
“In the first half he pushed the back three back and created space for others. “He was a bit selfless at times,” emphasized the interim coach. “In the second half, Lorenzo showed incredible quality – that’s what he can do in the half-turn – and then you just see Deandre’s athleticism, composure and technique come through in one-on-ones.” As soon as it goes through, you know it’s a goal.”
It was Kerr’s fifth goal of the season and second in as many games.
Insigne’s assist was in return for the assist Kerr set up for him against Philadelphia.
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