THE CANADIAN PRESS
VANCOUVER — Maicon Santos scored in the 73rd minute Wednesday as Toronto FC rallied for a 1-1 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.
Santos flicked in Nick Soolsma’s cross from the right flank from ten yards out to give Toronto a precious away goal.
Eric Hassli replied for the Whitecaps, who will need to score at least once in the second leg of the two-game, total-goals series May 25 at Toronto’s BMO Field if they want to claim the national title.
The winner of the Canadian championship series qualifies for 2012 CONCACAF Champions League play. The winner of that competition will represent the CONCACAF zone, which includes North America, Central America and the Caribbean, in the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup.
Hassli finally opened scoring in the 64th minute. He took a pass from Davide Chiumiento, deked Toronto forward Joao Plata and fired a curling 25-yard shot past goalkeeper Stefan Frei.
It was Hassli’s first goal since April 6, when after scoring on a penalty, he threw his jersey into the crowd and received his second yellow card and automatic ejection.
This time, Hassli went to the bench and hugged his teammates. The goal came after Vancouver coach Teitur Thordarson called for Hassli to start playing like his old self.
The Whitecaps dominated but could not reproduce the same scoring magic they produced in their 4-2 Major League Soccer debut victory over the Reds in March.
The atmosphere was more subdued with the Whitecaps having gone winless in 10 straight MLS games.
The Whitecaps came close to breaking the scoreless tie in the 48th minute. Hassli hit the post the top of the 18-yard box before Jay DeMerit headed from the near post but Camilo couldn’t connect from a yard out.
Five minutes later, the little Brazilian had a chance to make amends, but his shot from 20 yards out hit the crossbar. Camilo had another excellent chance in the 60th minute, but he fired high from in tight.
Vancouver’s Alain Rochat almost eked out a win in the final minute as he won a high ball from Toronto goalkeeper Frei, but his header hit the side netting.
The game got off to a slow start, but the Whitecaps still managed to threaten early as midfielder Terry Dunfield fired a shot wide from 12 yards out in the fourth minute.
Toronto midfielder Tony Tchiani volleyed a shot over the Vancouver net in the 15th, and four minutes later, Reds’ defender Dicoy Williams almost headed a Shea Salinas cross into his own net.
Vancouver’s best chance in the first half came in the 30th minute as Camilo dribbled into the box and fired a low 16-yard shot that Frei got a hand on. Dunfield attempted to head in the rebound but mistimed his attempt.
Vancouver goalkeeper Jay Nolly then blocked Soolsma’s 14-yard drive after he made a run up the right flank just before halftime.
Notes: The game drew a smaller-than-usual crowd because it went head-to-head with Game 2 of the NHL’s Western Conference final between the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks. … Williams received a yellow card for a hard midfield tackle on Chiumiento in the 52nd minute. Vancouver’s Dunfield and Gershon Koffie were also cautioned in the second half. … If Vancouver and Toronto tie 1-1 after 90 minutes at BMO Field on May 25, the clubs will play two 15-minute halves and then, if necessary, decide the Canadian title on penalty kicks.