It was only 109 days ago that Toronto FC was being hailed as the greatest side in MLS history after pushing Chivas to a penalty shootout in the final of the CONCACAF Champions League. Now, TFC’s in very real danger of missing the MLS Cup Playoffs and a chance at defending its 2017 title.
On Sunday, Toronto was defeated 3-2 by Eastern Conference rivals New York City FC in front of nearly 28,000 at BMO Field. It was a massive match for the Reds and a crucial opportunity to cut into the seven-point gap that separates them from Montreal for the East’s sixth and final playoff spot.
However, the Canadian side got off to a nightmare start when Jozy Altidore hacked down Alexander Callens right in front of the linesman with the ball clearly out of play. The 28-year-old was issued a straight red card for the offense — his first since that 2017 playoff altercation with Sacha Kjlestan.
.@JSB_TV, @CalenCarr, and @bwarshaw14 sit down to discuss Jozy Altidore's red card in the first half of #TORvNYC. https://t.co/lVWX9FlNzz
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 12, 2018
Four minutes later, David Villa gave NYCFC the advantage with his ninth goal in 14 games this season.
David Villa gets the opener in #TORvNYC!
That's his 8th goal in 8 appearances vs. @TorontoFC. https://t.co/pLr2OBL6AC— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 12, 2018
However, Toronto quickly equalized through their own star man, Italian Sebastian Giovinco. The strike was Giovinco’s eighth in 20 appearances.
Down a man? No problem.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 12, 2018
We knew we were in for a fiendishly wild one when Ismael Tajouri-Shradi restored NYCFC’s first half advantage in the 36th minute.
goals on the year and counting for Ismael Tajouri-Shradi... pic.twitter.com/wYX4p4mJEA
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) August 12, 2018
Down a man but unperturbed, Toronto drew even via Victor Vazquez in the 51st.
Victor Vazquez finds the equalizer five minutes into the second half! #TORvNYC https://t.co/Xwn9DM05Vf
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 12, 2018
But Toronto’s heroic effort would come up short. In the 88th, Tajouri-Shradi scored his brace, and what a sensational strike it was.
ISI ON THE VOLLEY #TORvNYC https://t.co/KS3QR0mGw5
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 12, 2018
The win keeps NYCFC in the thick of the Supporters’ Shield race and easing towards a playoff spot in the East. Toronto sits seven points out of sixth with only 11 games remaining.
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