Toronto FC played the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 2-2 draw in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship on Wednesday night. Mo Edu and Rohan Ricketts scored second-half goals as TFC fought back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to take the lead.
Edu scored from close range just after the hour mark to tie the game, and Ricketts fired Toronto in front in the 76th minute after good work from Amado Guevara. Eduardo Sebrango denied Toronto the win by scoring his second goal of the night with just four minutes left to play.
The Reds were determined to get revenge following the Whitecaps' 1-0 win at BMO Field on Canada Day. Toronto was without the injured Danny Dichio and suspended Jim Brennan.
After an entertaining end-to-end game at BMO Field last week, the two sides started in the same manner at Swangard Stadium. Both teams showed their intent to attack early in the game.
Vancouver had the first opportunity in the third minute. Sebrango couldn't direct his header towards goal after a good right wing cross from Martin Nash.
Toronto started brightly and had good possession in the final third. Jeff Cunningham made a run down the right and was fouled by Omar Jarun, forcing a free kick. Laurent Robert's effort was punched away by Whitecaps 'keeper Jay Nolly. Shortly after, Cunningham headed wide from a central position in front of goal. Rohan Ricketts crossed from the left and Maurice Edu flicked the ball to Cunningham, but with Nolly stranded, the striker couldn't hit the target.
The Reds were restricting Vancouver to long-distance strikes. A 25-yard free kick by Martin Nash was blocked by the Toronto wall, and Alfredo Valente failed to trouble Greg Sutton from 30 yards.
Toronto came close to taking the lead in the 27th minute. Marvell Wynne's cross from the right was met by Rohan Ricketts, who volleyed against the bar. Amado Guevara was unable to score from the rebound.
Five minutes before halftime, Sebrango broke forward for Vancouver, but as he twisted and turned on the left corner of the penalty area, he was dispossessed by a strong challenge from Tyrone Marshall.
Sebrango scored just three minutes later. A fierce strike from Justin Moose was parried by Greg Sutton. The ball fell back to Moose who played in Sebrango for the striker to fire in the opening goal.
Toronto started the second half well and Maurice Edu could have evened the match within three minutes of the restart. Edu was on the end of a good move involving Carl Robinson and Rohan Ricketts, but the Reds midfielder shot over the bar.
John Carver's side stayed patient in possession as they searched for a way back into the game, and the breakthrough came in the 61st minute. Edu scored from close range after a run by Cunningham down the left. The striker pulled the ball back for Laurent Robert who played in Edu to force the ball home from a central position.
In the 64th minute, Cunningham beat the Vancouver offside trap and went through 1-on-1 with Jay Nolly. Cunningham appealed for a penalty after he appeared to be pulled down by the 'keeper, but the referee waved play on. Marco Velez was shown a yellow card in the 66th minute for blocking Nicholas Addlery.
Toronto took a deserved lead with 15 minutes left to play. Amado Guevara created the goal by breaking quickly from midfield and feeding the ball through to Rohan Ricketts inside the penalty area. Ricketts scored from a tight angle, just outside the left corner of the six-yard box, squeezing the ball in at the near post. It was his third goal of the year.
With time running out, Vancouver tied the game. Maurice Edu failed to clear a long ball down field from Jay Nolly, and Sebrango was able to round Greg Sutton and score.
The draw moves Toronto to within two points of Montreal Impact, who lead the Nutrilite Canadian Championship standings with one game remaining. Toronto must now win their match at home against Montreal on July 22 to win the tournament, and go on to be Canada's representative in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Goals
Vancouver: Eduardo Sebrango 43'
Toronto: Maurice Edu 61'
Toronto: Rohan Ricketts 76'
Vancouver: Eduardo Sebrango 86'
Line-Ups
Toronto FC (Grey shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks):
Sutton, Wynne, Marshall, Velez (Harmse 85), James, Ricketts, Edu, Robinson, Robert, Guevara, Cunningham.
Vancouver Whitecaps (All Blue): Nolly, Martin, Clarke, Jarun, Hirano, Moose, Nash, Kindel, Valente, Addlery (Jordan 71), Sebrango
Officials
Referee: Carol Anne Chenard
Assistant Referees: Darren Clark, Martine Reid
4th official: Paul Ward
