BEASTS OF THE EAST
Toronto FC takes sole possession of first in Eastern Conference by drawing with Orlando City FC,
Toronto FC took sole possession of first place in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference on Wednesday night, earning a point for a 0-0 draw against Orlando City SC at BMO Field.
The home side left somewhat disappointed, though, after failing to deliver on its vow to win the mid-week game in hand on fellow East contenders New York Red Bulls and New York City FC and pull three points clear of its rivals.
“I thought we left some goals on the table tonight.” said Reds coach Greg Vanney.
Vanney lamented the fact Toronto managed 15 shots during the match but only put four on net.
“Considering some of the areas that we were able to get to, and the shots we were able to get, I think more of them have to be on target and ultimately we’ve got to find one of them.”
The Reds were again without injured striker Sebastian Giovinco, but Toronto’s attack still looked strong on paper.
Striker Tosaint Ricketts returned to the starting 11 after a groin injury and creative midfielder Armando Cooper, who was suspended last weekend, got his first start.
It helped that the Reds were facing the team with the league’s worst defensive record.
The home side spent much of the first half pulling apart Orlando’s unorganized backline, so much so that Lions coach Jason Kreis reverted his team to a more defensive formation — by swapping forward Carlos Rivas for midfielder Cristian Higuita — after 40 minutes.
The Reds could have been up by a handful by halftime but the finesse wasn’t there for Toronto; only Ricketts and Altidore managed to put shots on target.
Ricketts, played into the six-yard box by midfielder Jonathan Osorio, couldn’t lift the ball over former Toronto netminder Joe Bendik from close range.
Altidore did well to control a wayward ball in the box midway through the half, but a weak shot to the bottom corner was an easy save for Bendik.
Toronto failing to put balls into the back of the net also allowed for some scary moments in front of ’keeper Alex Bono’s net.
And with Orlando’s formation change firmly implemented by the time the second half began, Toronto had a more difficult structure to contend with.
The balance of play, dominated by the home side in the first half, evened out.
The Reds were forced to defend from the 70th minute, when Ricketts was sent off after receiving his second yellow card. The striker, attempting a bicycle kick shot in the box, might have hit defender José Aja in the face. Ricketts was carded for dangerous play.
Vanney hadn’t seen the play involving Ricketts post-match but said if Aja grabbed his head even though Ricketts didn’t make contact the defender could face delayed sanctions.
A third tie in as many games is not the result Toronto wanted, or needed, as it chases an Eastern Conference title.
Still, Vanney said first place feels great and told his players as much.
“We’re in first place, so there’s no reason for us to have our heads down.”