TORONTO — A Tim Cahill brace was just enough for the New York Red Bulls to earn their second straight road win and snap Toronto FC’s four-game unbeaten streak on Saturday, as the Australian international scored the game-winner in the 90th minute in front of 20,009 fans at BMO Field.
Cahill’s leaping header off a Thierry Henry cross in the dying minutes of the match punctuated a gritty win for the Red Bulls (4-4-2), who have won three of their past four games and now hold an eight-game unbeaten streak against Toronto FC dating back to 2009.
Cahill also opened the scoring in the 38th minute off an assist from defender Roy Miller, giving the New York Designated Player his first MLS goal since August 2012.
Jonathan Osorio scored his second goal of the season in dramatic fashion for Toronto FC (1-3-4), who lost for the first time at home this season despite coming just minutes from their fifth consecutive draw. After coming on in the 79th minute, Osorio found the back of the net just four minutes later with a shot from distance that beat New York goalkeeper Luis Robles.
Cahill’s first goal came after a mistake by TFC right back Ryan Richter allowed Miller to set up the finish. Miller skipped a cross into the box from the left flank that Henry dummied perfectly, leaving Cahill with an easy left-footed finish past TFC goalkeeper Joe Bendik.
A big save by Bendik on a cut back shot from New York’s Fabian Espindola and a follow-up clearance off the line by Richter during first-half injury time prevented New York from heading into the break with a two-goal lead.
TFC head coach Ryan Nelsen attempted to jump start his team’s offense to start the second half with John Bostock coming in for the injured Hogan Ephraim, but the home side struggled to generate quality chances against a rock solid New York back four until the final 10 minutes of the match.
After Robles was caught out of his net on a Toronto free kick, Osorio picked up the loose ball and delivered a composed finish from outside the penalty box to equal the score line at 1-1 with seven minutes to play.
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But then came another late collapse by TFC – the fifth time this season they’ve allowed a goal after the 75th minute – that began with a missed clearance from defender Ashtone Morgan. Henry skipped down the left side and drifted a cross to the far post, where Cahill was waiting with a finish to punctuate his first multi-goal game since coming to MLS last summer.
The loss means TFC are still looking for their first MLS regular season win at BMO Field under Nelsen – their only home win of the season came at the Rogers Centre earlier this spring – and have now gone 11 games without posting a league win at BMO, dating back to July 18, 2012.
New York return to action on Saturday, May 4 against the Columbus Crew on the road. Toronto, meanwhile, will try to seal a spot in the Canadian Championship tournament finals against the Impact on Wednesday at Saputo Stadium in Montreal.
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/tim-cahill"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Tim Cahill</span></a> |
Had to feel good for the Red Bulls to see Cahill get his first goal in forever - and then get the winner when they needed it, |
2 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/roy-miller"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Roy MIller</span></a> |
Thierry Henry could get a mention here, but MIller's work set up the first goal and he was one of the best players on the field in the first half. |
3 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/jonathan-osorio"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Jonathan Osorio</span></a> |
On a day when Robert Earnshaw couldn't finish his chances, Osorio was pitch-perfect with the one he had. Unfortunately it just wasn't enough. |
