Toronto FC rallies to tie Atlanta United as Lorenzo Insigne returns from injury
Another Toronto FC recreation and yet one more draw.
But this one felt nearer to a win as Brandon Servania rescued a degree for TFC with a 94th-minute strike in what was nearly the final kick of an entertaining 2-2 recreation on a pleasing night earlier than an introduced crowd of 27,892 at BMO Field.
It was the primary objective in TFC colors for the 24-year-old midfielder who spent the final 5 seasons with FC Dallas.
Coach Bob Bradley noticed positives however desires extra from Toronto (1-1-6).
“Getting a late goal is important because we’ve had chances in other games where a late goal could have gotten us three points,” he stated. “There were moments where we played pretty well and had some control, but it was inconsistent. It was a roller-coaster.”
A win not proven within the standings was the return of star winger Lorenzo Insigne, who got here on within the 77th minute for his first motion since exiting 34 minutes into the Feb. 25 season opener with a groin harm. The 31-year-old Italian, the highest-paid participant in MLS, had missed the earlier six matches.
“It’s good to get him back on the field, it’s a start,” stated Bradley, whereas noting he wants extra time to get him again at his finest.
Toronto is unbeaten in six video games (1-0-5) and has misplaced simply as soon as this season, conceding Ninetieth- and 98th-minute objectives in a hard-to-forget 3-2 defeat by the hands of D.C. United within the opening recreation. But it solely has one win — 2-0 over visiting Inter Miami on March 18 — which marks TFC’s lone victory in 14 league video games (1-6-7) relationship again to final August.
Toronto has solidified its defence however the assault, with a number of key items lacking, has been discovered wanting.
“There’s parts that are better but no, we can’t look at it like we’re the complete team yet because we’re not,” stated Bradley.
Atlanta (4-1-3) is unbeaten in three video games (1-0-2) since a 6-1 beating by the hands of high-scoring Columbus.
Insigne performed his half within the late objective, taking a move from centre again Lukas MacNaughton and, with one contact, sending the ball on to Jonathan Osorio. His move discovered an onrushing Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty who relatively than ship a ball by means of visitors to ahead Ayo Akinola, raked it again to Servania who eluded a defender earlier than tucking the ball dwelling.
Substitute Machop Chol had seemed to present Atlanta the win with a 76th-minute objective. The South Sudan worldwide headed dwelling a Luiz Araujo cross as Insigne waited on the sidelines.
Insigne virtually performed hero within the 89th minute with a stealthy run into the Atlanta penalty field however couldn’t get a boot to a ball from fellow Italian Federico Bernardeschi.
Canadian fullback Richie Laryea scored a highlight-reel objective for TFC. Giorgos Giakoumakis opened the scoring for Atlanta.
Both groups supplied some surprises with their lineups.
Toronto captain Michael Bradley was on the bench to start out, alongside Insigne. Bradley, who has made 298 appearances for the membership in all competitions, had began TFC’s final 42 league video games — final lacking out in Atlanta on Oct. 30, 2021.
Bradley was held out Saturday as a precaution after feeling one thing in his decrease leg earlier than the sport, based on Bob Bradley, his father. The veteran midfielder had performed each minute of the earlier seven video games this season. Osorio led the group out in his absence.
Laryea stated he nonetheless heard his captain all night time from the bench.
Atlanta didn’t costume Argentina World Cup winner Thiago Almada, who has 4 objectives and 5 assists this season. It was additionally a precautionary transfer as a result of a leg situation.
The recreation noticed the return of former TFC goalkeeper Quentin Westberg, deputizing for captain Brad Guzan, who tore the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in final Saturday’s 1-1 draw at New York City FC.
The guests had a dream begin with Giakoumakis, from the close to submit, heading dwelling a Brooks Lennon nook within the fourth minute. Giakoumakis beat two Toronto defenders to flick a glancing header into the far nook of the objective previous a diving Sean Johnson.
Giakoumakis has scored in his first 4 begins for Atlanta, the primary participant in membership historical past to take action. But the Greek’s night time ended within the forty ninth minute after he went down grabbing his leg.
Toronto answered with a world-class objective within the forty third minute. Laryea, in his one hundredth look for TFC in all competitions, took a brief move from Bernardeschi, turned on the afterburners and outpaced two defenders earlier than hammering a shot previous Westberg. Jordan Peruzza made a pleasant run to attract away defenders and make house for his fullback.
It was the tenth objective in Toronto colors for Laryea.
Bernardeschi, in the meantime, has been concerned in 17 of TFC’s 32 objectives (11 objectives and 6 assists) since he and Insigne made their debut in a 4-0 win over Charlotte in July 23, 2022. The Italian was yellow-carded within the 63rd for shoving Atlanta’s Caleb Wiley as they jostled for the ball for a throw-in.
Toronto appealed unsuccessfully for a number of penalties however acquired no change out of referee Ted Unkel.
Spanish midfielder Alonso Coello acquired his second profession begin for Toronto with MacNaughton filling in for Matt Hedges (concussion protocols).
Bob Bradley searching for offence within the absence of the injured Adama Diomande (hamstring), began Perruzza over Deandre Kerr and Ayo Akinola, who’ve each seen motion up entrance this season. Akinola changed Perruzza to open the second half.
Atlanta, which boasts extra city tree cover than every other metropolis within the U.S., wore its “deep green and cool mint” Forest equipment.
Toronto visits the Philadelphia Union subsequent Saturday.
