Herdman laments TFC’S sloppy loss in Charlotte
•Toronto FC showed resolve in coming back twice at Charlotte FC on Saturday. But once again it paid the price for what coach John Herdman called “self-destruct moments.”
Goals by substitute Prince Owusu helped tie the game at 1-1 and 2-2, with Toronto appearing to have secured a point with the German forward’s second in the 78th minute.
But woeful defending cost Toronto (3-4-1) in a 3-2 loss, its third straight setback.
“It’s been three weeks, two particularly, of self-destruct moments,” said Herdman.
Toronto, which was missing a half-dozen players through injury, has been outscored 10-3 in its last three matches.
Charlotte (3-3-2) took advantage of a massive defensive breakdown to score the winner.
Toronto cleared a corner in the 85th minute but Charlotte got the ball right back and sent it to an unmarked Brecht Dejaegere. Under no pressure, the Belgian midfielder fired in a low cross that 6-foot-4 substitute Patrick Agyemang knocked in after outmuscling two Toronto defenders in front of the goal.
“That stuff is just criminal. … How on earth did we not have a player go and press (Dejaegere)?” mused Herdman.
Charlotte’s second goal, in the 70th minute, was equally difficult to watch.
Newly acquired Israeli international Liel Abada pounced on an errant pass gifted to him by Toronto midfielder Alonso Coello and, outpacing defender Nicksoen Gomis, beat Sean Johnson with a well-placed low shot.
The young designated player was making his third appearance since joining the club from Scotland’s Celtic.
Owusu tied it 1-1 in the 49th minute, sticking his left leg out to knock home a Federico Bernardeschi cross from close range. Then, in the 78th minute, he knocked home Jahkeele Marshall-rutty’s deflected cross for his third of the season.
“A real big step for him.” Herdman said of Owusu, who may have won the starting centre forward position with the superb performance.
Centre back Kevin Long was sent off in second-half stoppage time for a second yellow after he hauled down Agyemang. Long, who anchors the defence, will be suspended for next Saturday’s home game against New England.