Eamon Zayed’s late goal helped Chattanooga Red Wolves SC earn a point in a 2-2 draw with Toronto FC II Friday afternoon at BMO Training Ground.
Key Events:
Jordan Perruzza opened the scoring for Toronto FC II in the 31st minute from the penalty spot. Griffin Dorsey earned the penalty after picking up the ball on the right flank and driving into the penalty area, forcing Leo Folla into a poorly-timed, lunging tackle. Perruzza sent Alex Mangels the wrong way on the penalty, slotting it in to his left to score his tenth goal of the season.
The Red Wolves earned a penalty of their own as Tony Walls was pushed down in TFC II’s 18-yard box just after halftime. Steven Beattie stepped up and finished with a strong strike to his right to score his ninth goal of the season.
Chattanooga nearly pulled out in front minutes after Beattie’s equalizer when Walls served a teasing ball in behind the Toronto back four. Beattie got on the end of it but goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky did well to come of his line and smother the chance.
The hosts scored a go-ahead goal in the 72nd minute from another dead ball situation. This time it was Jordan Faria who curled a free kick over the wall and past Mangels from a tight angle. The goal was Faria’s first of the season.
The Red Wolves equalized for the second time ten minutes when TFC II failed to fully clear a corner kick. The failed clearance rolled out to Timmy Mehl on the right flank 25 yards from goal. Mehl found Connor Doyle unmarked at the back post with a cross field pass. Doyle brought the ball down and slid a pass to Eamon Zayed who finished easily into the open net to score his sixth goal of the season.
The draw momentarily moves Chattanooga into the fourth and final playoff position with the other eight teams set to play later this weekend. The Red Wolves have a one point lead on Forward Madison FC and South Georgia Tormenta FC who play each other at Breese Stevens Field Saturday night. FC Tucson can also catch Chattanooga should they beat Lansing Ignite FC tonight at home. Winless in their last four, the Red Wolves will head to Lansing for a run-in with the second-place Ignite next Saturday.
The draw does little to help TFC II’s playoff hopes and extends the clubs winless run to eight games. Toronto moved into eighth place with the point earned against Chattanooga, but the ninth place Richmond Kickers are only a point back with two games in hand on The Reds. TFC II will look to win their first match since July 12 next Friday when they hosts Orlando City B at BMO Training Ground.
