Toronto FC begun their 2023 Leagues Cup campaign with a 0-5 defeat to New York City FC at Red Bull Arena Field on Wednesday night.
TFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson was called into action early and made a terrific point-blank save in the fifth minute on NYCFC forward Monsef Bakrar.
The Reds had their first dangerous look of the game as Petretta’s cross from the left-hand side of the box was sliced just wide by Kobe Franklin on the volley.
Just moments later, TFC were able to register their first shot on target of the game courtesy of Jordan Perruzza’s header. Alonso Coello neatly found the forward with an excellent left footed cross, but Perruzza was unable to put it past NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese.
As the game progressed, TFC’s defence made numerous key blocks but NYCFC’s offence proved difficult to contain as they scored three goals within the last 15 minutes of the opening half.
Following the half-time break, TFC introduced a triple substitution to attempt changing the momentum of the game. In the 53rd minute, Raoul Petretta’s back-post header rattled off the crossbar. In the 71st minute, Osorio’s left-footed volley just skimmed wide of the NYCFC net. Unfortunately for the Reds, centre-back Shane O’Neill saw red in the 85th minute, and NYCFC scored two more goals to close out the game.
The Reds return to action on Sunday, July 30th at BMO Field vs Atlas.
