Lambe scores decider in Cup win over Whitecaps

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Reggie Lambe scored the winner as Toronto FC defeated Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 in the Canadian Championships final at BMO Field on Wednesday night.

Lambe, who has struck four goals this season, broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute, hammering a low shot from just inside the area past the Whitecaps’ goalkeeper.

Toronto, who have lost all nine of their MLS matches this season, went into the game with a slight advantage, having drawn the first leg away in Vancouver 1-1.

A couple of minutes before Lambe scored, Toronto appeared to have gone ahead through Nick Soolsma but he was adjudged to have been offside.

The match took an ugly turn when a skirmish broke out in the 56th minute, which saw Toronto’s Julian de Guzman and Vancouver’s Sébastien Le Toux, who was already on a yellow card, dismissed.

By virtue of the victory, Toronto earned a spot in next season’s CONCACAF Champions League.

Toronto take on Philadelphia Union tomorrow at BMO Field.

n The goalscoring form of Bermuda striker Nahki Wells will be key to propelling Bradford City towards promotion next season.

That’s the verdict of the club’s joint-chairman Julian Rhodes, who believes Wells and strike partner James Hansen can become the most prolific combination in the league.

“One place where we’re lucky is having the likes of Hanson and Wells under contract,” Rhodes told the Bradford & District Advertiser. “I think they could be the best strike partnership in the division next season.

“How much are those two worth in the market? But we don’t have to pay any transfer fees for them.”

In a recent interview with The Royal Gazette, Wells ruled out the possibility of a summer move away from City by declaring his intention to stay at Valley Parade for at least another season.

He scored 12 goals for City this term and his eye-catching performances are understood to have drawn attention from Charlton Athletic and Peterborough United.

However, Rhodes is confident both Wells and Hansen, who bagged 14 goals last term, will be leading the line in August.

“You can never say never in football but the plan is that they are all here for next season,” he said.

“Look at any game when we’ve had Hanson, Wells and (Kyle) Reid in the team and I think you’ll find we’ve done very well.”

Wells, 21, is contracted for next season after City took up an option in his current deal, and the club are looking to tie him down properly on a four-year deal to fend off rival suitors.

And Hanson, who is also believed to have attracted interest from bigger clubs, is keen to see his team-mate put pen-to-paper.

“I’m sure they will be trying to get Nahki on a long contract. He’s a young, exciting player and we enjoy playing together,” he said.

“We’ve formed a good partnership together and there is a real understanding between us which has got to benefit the club. I look forward to playing with him.”

Bradford finished in 18th position in League Two last season.

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