Toronto FC let late lead slip away against Union

CHESTER, PA.— It looked like 10-man Toronto FC would hang on late to earn a franchise first road win in Philadelphia. But Ryan Nelsen’s team conceded a goal late into stoppage time, settling for a 1-1 draw after Jack McInerney cancelled out Robert Earnshaw’s 71st-minute marker. “I suppose for the neutrals it was entertaining,” Nelsen said Saturday. “It had everything. Unfortunately we couldn’t hold on, but I think the decision, the sending off, was a major factor for us.” In a dramatic finish, left back Ashtone Morgan was ejected in the 88th minute after picking up his second yellow card. Referee Sorin Stoica made the call after it appeared that Morgan inadvertently caught Philadelphia’s Sheanon Williams in the head in an aerial clash 10 metres outside the Toronto box.

Toronto (1-2-3) has six points this season after earning one for just the second time in four visits to PPL Park.

Earnshaw’s goal, his fifth of the year, came against the run of play.

A Zac MacMath goal kick fell to Morgan, who played a direct long ball back into the Union half of the field.

Earnshaw’s sublime first touch took him between the Philadelphia centre backs and into the box, where he was able to clip a leftfooted shot beyond MacMath.

“I just saw it early,” Earnshaw said. “I thought, if they miss this (clearance), then I’m going to be in on goal. I just tried to gamble and see the play before it happened, so I’m thankful that it went through and I was able to finish it.”