TORONTO – Philadelphia Union forward Jack McInerney scored his league-leading 10th goal of the season in stoppage time to salvage a 1-1 tie for his squad at BMO Field against a 10-man Toronto FC squad that suffered another late-game collapse to extend their winless stretch to 12 games.
McInerney's dramatic strike cancelled out a goal by TFC's Canadian international midfielder Jonathan Osorio, who put his team ahead with a diving header in the 66th minute. McInerney, who was called up to the USMNT's preliminary Gold Cup squad, scored on what was essentially his only chance of the match.
Toronto came out of the gate strong and dominated the first half while holding 63 percent of possession and relentlessly pushing the ball into the final third.
While the insertion of Osorio and Bobby Convey into TFC’s starting XI drastically improved the home team’s passing and ball movement compared to recent performances, it was Philadelphia that came within inches of opening the scoring when Union forward Sebastien Le Toux saw his shot ricochet off the left corner of the goal in the 20th minute.
TFC’s impressive first-half momentum was slowed significantly in the 41st minute when 20-year-old central defender Doneil Henry was sent off for earning his second yellow card of the game after a foul on Philadelphia midfielder Danny Cruz.
FULL LINEUPS AND BOX SCORE
The Union did little with the man advantage for much of the second half and ultimately opened the door for Toronto to reward themselves for an intelligent play which involved New Zealand international forward Jeremy Brockie, who came on for Robert Earnshaw at the hour mark.
Some excellent pressing by TFC in the 66th minute allowed Brockie to send a dangerous cross through the Union box and Osorio was on the end of it, beat Philadelphia defender Amobi Okugo to the ball for his third goal of the season.
TFC supporters had even more to cheer about in the 86th minute when Designated Player Danny Koevermans came on for Brockie and made his first appearance since suffering an ACL injury last July.
OPTA Chalkboard: Jack McInerney's day in a nutshell
But a Union side that appeared taken aback by the Osorio goal and that had not really threatened through the entirety of the game promptly shocked Toronto when a low shot from McInerney found the back of the net in the 90th minute.
With the draw, TFC head coach Ryan Nelsen and his squad are still looking for their first league victory at BMO Field this season. Philadelphia are now winless in two straight games against Canadian opposition, with today’s result following on the heel’s of a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Montréal Impact last weekend.
Philadelphia will be back in action at home on Wednesday, June 5 against the Columbus Crew. Toronto, meanwhile, head into a bye week and will play their next match on June 15 away to D.C. United.
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/jonathan-osorio" target="_blank">Jonathan Osorio</a> (TOR)</span> |
Maybe it's his youth, but the TFC winless streak clearly has done nothing to dull his enthusiasm and energy — and plenty of give-and-go combinations all around midfield. It's only right that he's on the end of the cross for the diving header to put his team up. |
2 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/jack-mcinerney" target="_blank">Jack McInerney</a> (PHI)</span> |
A day after finding out he's on the Gold Cup preliminary list, Jack Mac continues on his hot streak with another opportunistic goal. His only chance of the game. |
3 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/ryan-richter" target="_blank">Ryan Richter</a> (TOR)</span> |
Hard work up and down the right flank for Toronto FC and symbol of the never-say-die shown by TFC even after the Henry red card. Found himself plenty in the attack and had the key play to win the ball on Toronto's goal. |
