TFC fights Philadelphia to a 2-2 draw after a determined comeback falls just short
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You couldn’t blame Toronto FC coach Javier Perez on Wednesday evening for not understanding whether or not to giggle or cry.
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In a 2-2 draw in opposition to the high-flying Philadelphia Union at BMO Area, there have been the nice Reds and the unhealthy Reds. The TFC gamers confirmed great dedication in getting back from an early 1-0 deficit in opposition to the Union. Alternatively, the Reds additionally gave up a few actually poor objectives on account of brutal defensive breakdowns — which has been the membership’s Achilles heel all season.
The Blue Jays have their dwelling run jacket. The Reds would possibly contemplate buying a straight jacket for his or her coach as Perez agonizes over his group’s fixed Jekyll and Hyde persona.
“You’ll be able to inform that we’re not used to having the lead in video games as a result of we type of put the foot off the pedal slightly bit,” Perez mentioned. “However I’m pleased with the efficiency. It’s not within the playing cards this yr for us, however the high quality is there and we deserved extra tonight.
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“We have now to do not forget that (Philadelphia) is the second group within the East on this sport,” the coach added. “They’re an enormous, trustworthy, robust group, well-organized.”
TFC is lengthy out of the playoff image, however Perez has requested his gamers to complete the MLS common season out with a stable effort each evening and Wednesday evening he acquired that.
“The group fought, the group took management of the sport. I believe we have been the higher facet. We didn’t win the sport however the effort is there,” Perez mentioned.
The Union jumped forward 1-0 within the first minute earlier than the Reds clawed again to take a 2-1 lead within the second half on a aim by Jozy Altidore and a Philly personal aim, earlier than conceding, but once more, a aim late through some very poor defensive play.
Alejandro Bedoya scored 33 seconds within the match for Philly — one other early aim allowed by TFC.
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Altidore, scoring for the second straight sport, tied it within the 66th minute when he left-footed a shot excessive into the left nook, the aim coming on account of teammate Noble Okello blocking an try by a Philadelphia defender to clear the ball. The 21-year-old Okello recorded his first profession help on the aim.
Altidore additionally scored within the ninety fifth minute on Saturday evening in opposition to CF Montreal to present TFC a draw. His aim in opposition to Philly got here simply after a terrific save by Toronto ’keeper Quentin Westberg on the Union’s main scorer, Kacper Przybylko, who was fed the ball within the field and right-footed a shot from very shut vary that Westberg saved.
The Reds went forward 4 minutes in a while an personal aim when Union defender Jack Elliott deflected a Jacob Shaffelburg cross into the field.
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Philadelphia substitute Sergio Santos, a long-time TFC killer, tied the match 2-2 within the 77th minute on a header when he was left utterly unmarked within the field after a cross by teammate Kai Wagner. Przybylko hit the cross bar within the 81st minute for Philly when he was given a move within the Toronto field.
Toronto held a substantial edge in possession (60%-40%) with the 2 golf equipment every taking 15 photographs, with Philly recording 4 photographs on aim to a few by TFC. The Reds have given up 62 objectives this season with two video games remaining, two underneath the group file of 64 set in 2018.
TFC is winless in its previous 4 video games, although the Reds have recorded two attracts in a row.
For TFC captain Michael Bradley, Wednesday’s match represented his 250th look for TFC over all competitions — the third TFC participant to realize that milestone. Filling in once more for Bradley within the central midfield on Wednesday was Okello, who has performed effectively with Bradley dropping to the backline.
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“Michael is such a frontrunner for us,” Okello mentioned of his captain. “Not solely on the sector however off the sector, particularly with us younger gamers. I really feel like he’s helped me develop lots, particularly this yr.”
Toronto DP Yeferson Soteldo missed the match with a pulled hamstring, as did fullback Richie Layrea, who damage his proper knee in Saturday’s match in opposition to Montreal. TFC defender Kemar Lawrence did return to the lineup in opposition to Philadelphia.
Philly’s opening aim by Bedoya got here 33 seconds into the match on account of some dreadful defensive play. Bedoya was left alone in the precise facet of the field and right-footed a shot into the aim which Westberg didn’t have a lot of probability on.
Regardless of the aim, TFC was on the entrance foot for a lot of the primary half, holding 59% possession, however the Union defenders stood tall, absorbing the TFC assaults.
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TFC’s greatest probability within the first half got here within the thirty seventh minute through a left-foot shot from Shaffelburg from outdoors the field, forcing Philly ’keeper Matthew Freese to make save. A pair minutes later, Shaffelburg had one other good probability, however right-footed a shot from simply outdoors the precise facet of the field vast.
Alejandro Pozuelo had an honest probability to attain within the 56th minute when he was fed a ball within the field, however the Seville native right-footed the ball vast.
Within the remaining minute of regulation play, the Philadelphia gamers swarmed referee Silviu Petrescu demanding {that a} penalty kick be referred to as on Bradley, though the Philly shot from in shut appeared to hit Bradley’s abdomen earlier than deflecting off his arm.
The Reds subsequent play on Saturday evening in Atlanta, the penultimate MLS common season match of the season for TFC, although Toronto does face Pacific FC within the Canadian Championship semifinal on Nov.3.