Toronto FC Goals: Layrea 49', Pozuelo 55'
New York City FC Goals: Rodríguez 12’, Tajouri-Shradi 21’
Quick Read
New York City FC traveled north for a meeting against Toronto FC on Saturday evening. NYCFC started the better side, and took a 12th minute lead when Santiago Rodríguez scored on his first start in MLS. They doubled their advantage in the 21st minute after a counter-attack allowed Ismael Tajouri-Shradi to find the net. The second half began with a pair of TFC goals through Richie Laryea and Alejandro Pozuelo that forced both sides to settle for a point.
Match Recap
New York City FC took to the road on Saturday as they faced Toronto FC at BMO Field. The Boys in Blue were hoping to maintain their unbeaten streak of four games, and return to winning ways after a midweek draw with Chicago Fire.
Head Coach Ronny Deila made three changes to the starting XI that faced the Fire, with James Sands, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Santiago Rodríguez coming in for Jesús Medina, Maxi Moralez and the suspended Keaton Parks.
The game represented Rodríguez’s first start for NYCFC, and an early link-up with Taty Castellanos almost allowed him to get a shot on goal.
The Uruguayan wouldn’t have to wait long for another chance, however, and in the 12th minute he scored his second goal for the club.
A wonderful flowing move started when the Uruguayan collected a loose ball and nodded it back to Tajouri-Shradi.
From there, a combination on the edge of the TFC penalty box involving Rodríguez, Thiago Andrade and Castellanos allowed the Argentine to play his teammate in to score.
The home side quickly rallied, but a rapid counter-attack in the 21st minute allowed NYCFC double their advantage.
A consequence of intense high-pressing, a poor pass from Eriq Zavaleta was pounced on by Castellanos who stayed calm before playing Tajouri-Shradi in to score.
NYCFC could easily have had a third in the 29th minute when a long-range effort from Rodríguez clipped the top of the crossbar.
The Boys in Blue were now firing on all cylinders, and in the 38th minute Morales whistled an effort just past Alex Bono’s post.
The half finished with a well-constructed move that saw Anton Tinnerholm cross the ball into the path of Castellanos – his effort going over the bar.
A pair of changes for the hosts at half-time gave them an added energy and they earned a goal in the 49thminute when Alejandro Pozuelo slid Richie Laryea in behind to slot home.
The game’s momentum had now swung towards TFC, and it forced NYCFC into some rearguard action to maintain their advantage.
The hosts earned parity in the 55th minute when a run in behind by the substitute Ifunanyachi Achara allowed him to square it for Pozuelo to score.
In response, Ronny Deila turned to his bench and introduced Nicolás Acevedo and Andres Jasson in place of Thiago and Sands.
In the 74th minute NYCFC had a chance on the break, which ultimately saw Tajouri-Shradi almost score a fantastic effort from distance.
Minutes later there were further changes for the Boys in Blue as Tajouri-Shradi and Tinnerholm departed in place of Tayvon Gray and Maxi Moralez.
The game was being played at a relenting pace and eventually both sides tired. There was still time for a late TFC chance that forced Johnson to make a point-blank stop from Nick DeLeon - Medina entering for Rodríguez deep into injury time.
Pozuelo's goal proved to be the final one of the night and forced NYCFC to settle for a point on the road.
Heineken Man of the Match
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC is a meeting with Mexican side Pumas UNAM in the League's Cup. The game takes place at Yankee Stadium and kicks off at 8:00PM ET (TUDN/NYCFC.com/Radio).
