TORONTO – After an explosive start, Toronto FC and the New York Red Bulls could not find the net again and played to a 1-1 draw Saturday night at BMO Field.
New York’s Jan Gunnar Solli and Toronto’s Danny Koevermans traded goals in the first six minutes of the game as TFC continued on a roll after opening the season with nine straight losses. Since Paul Mariner took over for ex-manager Aron Winter on June 7, the Reds have compiled a 1-1-3 record.
And while New York came closest to adding a second when they hit the post in the first half, it was Toronto who nearly took all three points with several chances in the closing stages of the match.
FULL LINEUPS AND BOX SCORE
However, early on it looked like the same old story for Toronto, surrendering an easy goal early as New York struck in the fourth minute.
Highlights: TOR 1, NY 1
Solli was allowed too much room in the left side of the box and put his right foot to knock in a cross from the right from teammate Brandon Barklage into the bottom left corner. It was Solli's second goal of the season in consecutive matches.
But two minutes later, the ever-dangerous Koevermans was in the center of the box to head home a corner from Torsten Frings for his eighth goal of the season and seventh tally in his last seven matches.
Just a few minutes later, Toronto winger Reggie Lambe made a strong run while fighting off two defenders, slipping the ball past NY goalkeeper Ryan Meara who had come off his line. But defender Wilman Conde slid at the goal line to prevent the ball from crossing.
OPTA Chalkboard: TFC thwart NY possession game
Forward Kenny Cooper nearly put the Red Bulls ahead in the 45th minute when he beat the Toronto offside trap but his deflection of a cross caromed off the left post.
In an evenly played second half, New York (9-4-4) had all they could handle to hold off Toronto, especially in the final 10 minutes left. First Koevermans put a header into the hands of Meara and then second-half substitute Nick Soolsma just missed to the right.
Toronto look to continue their climb up the standings on Wednesday, July 4 at FC Dallas. New York remain in 2nd place in the East and next face New England on July 8 at Gillette Stadium.
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2012/vote" target="”_blank”">Torsten Frings</a></span> |
The Red Bulls are accustomed to dominating possession but it didn't happen in Toronto with Frings bossing the midfield. In the right place at the right time and usually making the best decisions. Accurate passing and dangerous set pieces all night, including the assist on the equalizer. |
2 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2012/vote" target="”_blank”">Ashtone Morgan</a></span> |
The left back won the battle against NY speedster Dane Richards on the day while making himself a menace pushing forward. Quickly asserting himself as one of the best left backs in the league. |
3 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/logan-emory" target="”_blank”">Logan Emory</a></span> |
The New York attack sputtered because the undersized Logan Emory was effectively able to shut down Red Bulls marksman Kenny Cooper, whose only look at goal on the day came when he beat the offside trap. Emory won all the 1-v-1 battles. |
