TORONTO — Toronto FC overcame a first half brace from Brad Davis to engineer a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over the Houston Dynamo in front of 22,591 in attendance at BMO Field on Saturday evening.
After first half goals from Jonathan Osorio and Dominic Oduro, TFC Designated Player Jermain Defoe scored twice in the second half to lead the comeback.
The Dynamo opened the scoring in the 13th minute when a defensive breakdown by Toronto allowed an unmarked Davis to slot home past TFC keeper Joe Bendik. Then, as Toronto pushed forward in search of an equalizer, Houston caught the Reds on the break at the half hour mark. Davis scored his second of the match from essentially the same spot as his first after a cross from Giles Barnes found him alone at the backpost.
Just when it looked like Houston were poised to run away with the match, Toronto took advantage of a 39th minute Dynamo defensive miscue when keeper Tally Hall bobbled a Defoe cross and dropped the ball onto the head of Osorio on the doorstep.
TFC capped off a veritable 45 minute goal-fest during first half injury time when Defoe laid off a perfect pass to a hard charging Oduro. While the Ghanaian speedster’s initial shot was stopped by Hall, the MLS veteran slotted home his own rebound for his first TFC goal.
Toronto capped off their comeback by taking the lead in the 63rd minute when Defoe danced around the Houston backline and clinically finished past Hall. Defoe then sealed the result just before the finish when an errant pass from the Dynamo backline sent him in alone on Hall.
Houston have now lost six of their last seven, and haven’t won in the league since May 17. Toronto, meanwhile, earned a much-needed home victory following a disappointing 2-1 loss to D.C. United at BMO Field last weekend.
Toronto FC return to action midweek against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BMO Field, while Houston won’t play again until next Saturday when they will host Toronto at BBVA Compass Stadium.
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/jermain-defoe"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Jermain Defoe</span></a> |
Designated Players are supposed to toss their team on their back and lead by example. Defoe helped spark a listless Reds side into action, scoring twice and assisting once. |
2 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/brad-davis" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Brad Davis</span></a> |
Still obviously on a World Cup high, Davis was clinical with his two chances, giving the Dynamo a two-goal lead they couldn't hold onto. |
3 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/jackson-goncalves" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Jackson</span></a> |
Worked hard in midfield and routinely helped put the Reds on the front foot with play in dangerous places. His backheel was crucial in the buildup to the game winner. |
