Toronto FC (11W-18L-4T, 37 points) dropped a 1-4 result against the New York Red Bulls (11W-7L-14T, 47 points) at BMO Field on Wednesday night.
First Half:
TFC Head Coach John Herdman made five changes from his side that started against Chicago Fire FC on the weekend with Sigurd Rosted, Kobe Franklin, Alonso Coello, Matty Longstaff and Prince Owusu making way for Shane O’Neill, Deybi Flores, Tyrese Spicer, Prince Owusu and Derrick Etienne Jr.
After an evenly contested opening 20 minutes, the New York Red Bulls were awarded a penalty kick in the 25th minute when referee Filip Dujic deemed Shane O’Neill to have fouled Lewis Morgan courtesy of an in-stadium video review. Club captain Emil Forsberg stepped up for the Red Bulls and successfully tucked his penalty into the bottom-right corner, making it 1-0 for the visitors in the 27th minute.
Twelve minutes later, the Reds found the back of the net when Federico Bernardeschi’s in-swinging corner was headed home by Kevin Long. However, following another video review, the 39th minute effort was disallowed as Derrick Etienne Jr. was called for an obstruction on goalkeeper Carlos Coronel on the play.
Second Half:
New York Red Bulls doubled their advantage soon after the restart when Lewis Morgan set up John Tolkin in space and the defender blazed his shot past Sean Johnson in the 48th minute.
Toronto FC came within inches of an equalizer as Federico Bernardeschi had a long-range effort blaze wide of the target in the 59th minute. Five minutes later, the Reds were awarded a spot-kick when Richie Laryea was fouled by Peter Stroud in the penalty area following dazzling footwork and a saved shot by Federico Bernardeschi. Prince Owusu stepped up and buried his effort from 12 yards for the second consecutive match for the Reds. The 66th minute goal halved the Reds’ deficit to one and marked a team-leading 12th goal of the 2024 campaign for the German striker.
The Red Bulls were then awarded their second penalty kick of the contest when Shane O’Neill fouled Cameron Harper in the penalty area before a defensive clearance. Lewis Morgan successfully converted from 12 yards out and restored the visitors’ two goal advantage in the 69th minute.
Toronto FC were reduced to 10 men six minutes later when Federico Bernardeschi was shown a second yellow card for a foul on New York’s Dylan Nealis.
New York Red Bulls added a fourth goal when a late counter-attack was finished off by substitute Elias Manoel in the 88th minute, sealing the 1-4 result for the visitors from the midweek affair at BMO Field.
The Reds wrap up their MLS regular season campaign with a clash against the Supporters Shield’ winners Inter Miami CF on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff from BMO Field is set for 4:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
LINEUPS
TORONTO FC – Sean Johnson; Richie Laryea, Shane O’Neill, Kevin Long, Raoul Petretta (Kosi Thompson 66’); Federico Bernardeschi, Deybi Flores (Alonso Coello 46’), Jonathan Osorio (C), Tyrese Spicer (Matty Longstaff 46’); Deandre Kerr (Prince Owusu 58’), Derrick Etienne Jr.
Substitutes Not Used: Luka Gavran, Aimé Mabika, Sigurd Rosted, Kobe Franklin, Brandon Servania
NEW YORK RED BULLS – Carlos Coronel; Dylan Nealis, Andrés Reyes (Sean Nealis 57’), Noah Eile, John Tolkin; Peter Stroud (Dennis Gjengaar 81’), Ronald Donkor (Felipe Carballo 62’), Daniel Edelman, Emil Forsberg (C) (Cameron Harper 62’); Dante Vanzeir (Elias Manoel 81’), Lewis Morgan
Substitutes Not Used: Ryan Meara, Aidan O'Connor, Julian Zakrzewski, Serge Ngoma
POSTMATCH SOUND
