Toronto FC 3 - 3 D.C. United
Final
  for this game

D.C. expects tough match against new-look Toronto

Aug 5, 2011 - 10:15 PM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - When D.C. United and Toronto FC met on April 16th at BMO Field, United walked away with an impressive 3-0 over the Canadian club.

But of the 14 Toronto players that played in that match, only seven are still with the club.

A series of trades and designated player signings has left Toronto with a completely new look. Its most notable acquisitions have been Torsten Frings playing centrally in midfield and Danny Koevermans providing the finishing touch up front.

D.C. United will be expecting a much different match when it hosts Toronto on Saturday.

"It's definitely not the same team we played earlier," United defender Perry Kitchen said. "[They have made] tons of changes and they're hungry for wins too just like we are."

D.C. United have also made some personnel changes as well, trading Dax McCarty to Red Bull New York in exchange for Dwayne De Rosario.

De Rosario, who has featured for Toronto FC this season as well, has paid dividends to D.C. United thus far, scoring three goals in five matches.

In its most recent outing, a De Rosario brace earned three points for United as it defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0.

After the match, D.C. United defender Dejan Jakovic was full of praise for the club's newest hero.

"He's a special player," Jakovic said. "I was really excited when I first heard we got him because I know what he's capable of doing, and that's exactly what he did [against San Jose]."

Toronto FC ended its four-game losing skid Saturday by mounting a dramatic comeback against the Portland Timbers to earn a 2-2 draw.

Peri Marosevic marked his Toronto debut with a goal as his blistering shot from distance cut Portland's lead in half. Koevermans used his instincts in front of goal to complete the comeback in the 82nd minute, redirecting a cross past a diving Troy Perkins.

Earlier this week, Toronto made yet another trade, sending forward Maicon Santos to FC Dallas for midfielder Eric Avila, who could be set to debut with his new club.






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