Toronto FC settles for draw in home opener after Columbus rallies with late goal
TORONTO — Substitute Jimmy Medranda’s Seventy fifth-minute objective gave the Columbus Crew a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC in TFC’s residence opener Saturday night time.
Aidan Morris put Medranda in behind the Toronto defence and the Colombian, simply two minutes into his Columbus debut, chipped Sean Johnson for the objective solely to see the offside flag go up. But referee Ismir Pekmic awarded the objective after reviewing the play on the pitchside monitor.
Columbus (1-1-1) had an opportunity to win it in stoppage time however Cucho Herndandez hit the goalpost and Alexandru Matan despatched the rebound simply broad.
Deandre Kerr had given Toronto the lead within the twenty fifth minute. TFC (0-1-2) was on the lookout for its first win of the Major League Soccer season after opening with a 3-2 loss at D.C. United and 1-1 draw at Atlanta.
It was a depleted TFC assault with Italian star Lorenzo Insigne, the league’s highest-paid participant, lacking a second straight recreation with a decrease physique damage. Starting striker Adama Diomande and Ayo Akinola, who changed him mid-game final weekend, have been additionally unavailable because of tight hamstrings.
Kerr slotted into the beginning 11, incomes his first minutes of the season.
And it was the 20-year-old Kerr who opened the scoring, taking a go from Jonathan Osorio and turning Australian worldwide defender Milos Degenek like a corkscrew earlier than beating goalkeeper Eloy Room with a well-placed low shot for his fourth profession objective.
Johnson was the sufferer of pleasant fireplace early within the second half when, after a Columbus shot was fired excessive into the north finish, he was unintentionally hit within the head with the ball thrown again by a fan. Johnson stayed within the recreation, nevertheless.
Soon after, the PA announcer needed to warn followers after a number of snowballs have been launched onto the pitch.
Federico Bernardeschi was held off the scoresheet for the primary time this season however the Italian nonetheless confirmed his ball-handling wizardry on a number of events, befuddling Columbus defenders. Bernardeschi and fullback Richie Laryea continued to mix successfully as nicely.
Veteran midfielder Victor Vazquez, recovered from a non-COVID sickness, got here on within the 72nd minute for his season debut.
Taking the 36-year-old Vazquez out of the equation, the Toronto bench averaged 21 years of age with three youngsters in 18-year-old Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty and Hugo Mbongue and 19-year-old Kobe Franklin.
Toronto fullback Raoul Petretta limped off within the 73rd minute.
It was minus-two Celsius at kickoff, stated to really feel like minus-seven. But the circumstances fell squarely within the “better than yesterday” class.
After near 10 centimetres of snow fell in Toronto on Friday, the BMO Field grounds crew was on the stadium earlier than 6 a.m. Saturday.
“Hard to sleep watching the snow,” stated Robert Heggie, director of grounds at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.
The tarp defending the grass got here off after the snow was eliminated on the stadium, which has underground heating. The grass, which regarded surprisingly good contemplating the time of yr, was then trimmed utilizing push-mowers.
Several gamers had points with their footing, nevertheless.
Columbus coach Wilfried Nancy, in his first yr on the Crew helm after leaving CF Montreal in December, went with the identical beginning 11 as final week.
Argentine attacking midfielder Lucas Zelarayan was coming off a two-goal participant of the week efficiency in a 2-0 win over D.C. United. Columbus misplaced its season opener 4-1 at Philadelphia.
Columbus was with out Christian Ramirez (foot), Will Sands (again spasm) and former TFC defender Josh Williams (ankle).
Both groups had early possibilities, bringing the group into the sport from the get-go. Columbus started to take management, retaining possession and spending time within the Toronto half of the sphere.
But throwing our bodies into assault, the Crew regarded susceptible on the again when TFC regained possession. And Columbus had extra problem penetrating the Toronto defence as the primary half wore on.
Room made a fantastic save to disclaim Osorio in first-half stoppage time after the veteran Canadian was put by by Bernardeschi.
The Italian got here near establishing a late successful objective twice, however one low cross didn’t discover a teammate and Laryea despatched the second off beam.
The Crew have Toronto ties, with president and GM Tim Bezbatchenko, vice-president Jaime McMillan and assistant GM Corey Wray all former members of the TFC entrance workplace.
Columbus dressed Canadian wingback Mo Farsi and ahead Jacen Russell-Rowe.
The 23-year-old Farsi, a former Cavalry FC participant who was named the Canadian Premier League’s Best Canadian U-21 Player in 2020, made his third straight begin for the Crew with Russell-Rowe on the bench.
Russell-Rowe made his first-team debut for Columbus in Toronto final June, establishing each objectives in a 2-1 Crew win. The 20-year-old ahead from close by Brampton spent seven years with the Toronto academy.
