Daniel Jackson’s brace wasn’t enough to make it four wins from four matches for the Richmond Kickers as Terique Mohammed’s 86th minute goal helped Toronto FC II steal a point at City Stadium.
Jackson got the Kickers off and running in the 5th minute, showing quick reactions to open his hips and redirect a fizzing ball served into the penalty area by Matt Bolduc on frame and past goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell.
Jackson secured a brace and doubled Richmond’s lead in the 23rd minute. Joe Gallarado forced Toronto into a turnover at midfield and threaded a ball through for Jackson. The veteran striker skipped past a sliding tackle and drove towards goal before slipping a shot under Patterson-Sewell to put the hosts up 2-0.
Jordan Perruzza pulled a goal back for the visitors just after halftime from a free kick 20 yards from goal. Perruzza struck a hard shot under the wall and past goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald to score his ninth goal of the season, which brings him within one of Ronaldo Damus for the league lead.
TFC II scored a late equalizer from another dead ball situation to steal a point on the road. Matthew Srbely served a driven cross towards the top of the six yard box, leaving Mohammed with room to run on to the serve and nod it past Fitzgerald. The goal was Mohammed’s second of the season, while Srbely earned his fifth assist.
The draw extends Richmond’s unbeaten run to four matches, but they’ll feel as though it was two points dropped at home after a strong start. The Kickers are in ninth place, nine points out of the playoffs with nine games to play. They’ll head back to Wisconsin for a second run-in with Forward Madison FC in three weeks next Saturday, while Toronto will play host to Greenville Triumph SC.
