“I’m a hooligan Won’t go to school again Won’t go, no, no, no.” - Peter Criss (from the song ‘Hooligan’ found on the album Love Gun recorded by Kiss)

As day broke, Kansas City was engulfed in a blanket of heat and humidity. It was the type of day where the most comfortable part of town was a long, long way out of town.

The Wizards, like every other team in the league, were coming off the All-Star break. Unlike other teams, however, they were also coming off of a match against the opponent who just played the MLS All-Stars, Manchester United. This year, “All-Star Weekend” took place on Wednesday, so there was no discernible break of any kind. How would they overcome such a heavy work schedule?

Into CAB strode Toronto FC. They, also, were somewhat busy the previous 10 days. On July 21, in the contrived Carlsburg Cup, they lost to Bolton Wanderers on penalties after drawing in regulation 1 - 1; then played FC Dallas on the 24th, drawing 1 - 1.

Four days later saw them host Honduran side Club Deportivo Motagua in CONCACAF Champions League action, treating their guests poorly with a 1 - 0 defeat. In addition to these team activities, Dwayne De Rosario played 15+ minutes in the All-Star match against Man U and scored the last goal of that match.

This match, a lot like any match really, had its ups and downs. The heat and packed schedules resulted a match that was slower-paced than most matches I have seen this year. Both sides had multiple chances. Indeed, the shot on goal by Josh Wolff look-alike Mista that Wizards keeper Jimmy Nielsen turned away in the first half was possibly the play of the match. Only a mistake by Toronto’s Adrain Cann allowed Teal Bunbury to sneak behind the back-line and head home a ball intended for goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

Periods of good possession, coupled with solid defending allowed the one-goal lead to hold up for the remainder of the 90 minutes.

During half-time I had a 15 minute conversation with my good friend Frank. He took my good-natured ribbing in stride. A portion of our conversation went like this:

Me: "Frank it is good to see you!"

Frank: "My name is not Frank."

Me: "Look at you wearing red. You must have forgotten Toronto wears red."

Frank: "My name is Carl and I am from Toronto."

Me: "So how about this heat, huh? Have you seen Japes and S-Man?"

Frank (backing away nervously): "Please go away, you are frightening me - I'm never coming back to Kansas City."

So, as you can see, the match was good for everyone. With hard work in training and perhaps a bit of good fortune the Wizards will continue building on their recent successes. I hope I run into Frank at this Saturdays game against Real Salt Lake, he is such a nice young man...

If compelled, fanista can be reached at the JC.Com Emergency Hotline extension 24 or at fanista@jimmyconrad.com.

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