photo by Matt Kremkau |
by Garry Redman
The Red Bulls were feeling pretty good after their 1-0 victory over their local rivals New York Football Club, on Saturday. With very little time to celebrate, they headed north to BMO Field to face an injury-riddled Toronto FC squad looking to gain three points after losing two straight matches, one win in their last nine. Troy Lesesne and his team will have to navigate injuries and suspensions themselves. With 23 players from both sides out of action, 12 of them for New York alone, the Red Bulls' "Next Man Up" philosophy will be tested.
Several players on the Red Bulls were playing out of position, mainly out of necessity, in addition to shoring up the bench, with some last-minute signings from New York Red Bulls II,
Toronto had a chance in the 29th minute as Federico Bernardseski had an open look after taking a cross from Insigne, but the shot was blocked by John Tolkin just in the nick of time, keeping the home team scoreless.
Toronto midfielder Deandre Kerr was replaced by Antonoglou in the 41st minute after a collision with Dylan Nealis and was removed from the match due to concussion protocol.
Red Bulls had a chance to open the scoring in the 33rd minute John Tolkin delivered the ball in the box, but the shot was immediately punched away by goalkeeper Sean Johnson, then was blocked again when Cameron Harper followed up with a volley. Sean came off the line to make the timely interception.
In the end, both teams traded chances, but sloppy play dominated the first half, making things hard to watch for casual observers.
Elias Manoel had a chance to put the team in the lead in the 48th minute after taking a pass from Wikelman Carmona and getting by the Toronto goalkeeper, who came off his line, he was all alone with the net, but for the second time this season (the first being in Chicago), his shot was denied by the woodwork.
Toronto had the closest chance to score in the 79th minute. Federico Bernardeschi took the ball from John Tolkin and shot the ball across the net,
Toronto FC had one last chance to win the match just three minutes into stoppage time when Themi Antonoglou took a header from Hugo Mbongue, but his shot from outside the box missed to the right.
And with the match ending in a draw and the defense keeping their opponents scoreless in three straight games, getting the point on the road may have been the best result, as they now must get themselves ready for Montreal at home on Saturday.
Starting IX:
Toronto FC: Johnson, Petretta, Mabika, Laryea, Kerr (Antonoglou 41'), Thompson, Servania, Franklin, Insigne, Bernardeschi (Mbongue 89'), Sapong (Akinola 46')
New York Red Bulls: Coronel, D. Nealis, Carmona, Stroud, Tolkin, Harper (Mullings '73), Ndam, Yearwood, Fernandez (Reid 90+2'), Manoel (Burke 73'), Barlow
Scoring Summary:
None.
Disciplinary Summary:
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