Artificial Turf Trips Up the Salsa in Toronto

The Salsa, playing for the first time on artificial turf, lost to Toronto, 2-1, in an American Professional Soccer League game Sunday at Lamport Stadium in Toronto.

The Salsa struggled on the faster turf surface, and was not able to pass with the finesse the team is used to, said Coach Rildo Menezes.

The teams were tied, 1-1, at the half and Toronto got the game-winner 10 minutes into the second half. Amadeo Gasparini headed the ball in the right corner past goalie Ian Feuer.

Toronto opened the scoring six minutes into the game when Gasparini scored off an assist from midfielder Hector Marinaro.

The Salsa (11-4) rallied to tie it, 1-1, 20 minutes later when Paul Wright scored after beating two defenders to get open for a shot he got past keeper Paolo Cecarelli. Paulinho got the assist.

The Salsa played the final minute of the first half and all of the second half a player short when defender Danny Pena was ejected.

Pena was ejected for stopping a ball headed for the goal with his hands. He was covering for Feuer, who had come out of the goal in an attempt to block a shot. Besides the ejection, Toronto was awarded a penalty kick, which was missed.

Despite the loss, the Salsa remains in second place.