Toronto loses to Red Bulls, advances on away goals
TORONTO » Toronto FC lost 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls in an abrasive game Sunday and still advanced to the MLS Eastern Conference final on away goals after the twoleg series ended tied 2-2 on goals aggregate.
It was a feisty affair that saw Toronto striker Jozy Altidore and Red Bulls captain Sacha Kljestan sent off after a tunnel melee at halftime. The wild match also featured a pair of disallowed goals and six yellow cards, and a drink thrown at an the crowd.
In addition to Altidore, league-leading Toronto will be without star striker Sebastian Giovinco for the next game after his second yellow in two games. TFC will play the Columbus Crew, who advanced 3-4 on aggregate against NYCFC.
Bradley Wright-Phillips scored his 100th career goal for the sixthseeded Red Bulls when a long-range shot deflected in off him in the 53rd minute. A Toronto goal by Jonathan Osorio official from in the 78th was called off due to a foul, apparently for what was considered a shove. Things got even uglier minutes later when a drink was thrown from the stands at referee Chris Penso after he booked Giovinco.
After falling 2-1 at home on Monday night, the Red Bulls needed to win and score at least two goals Sunday to avoid defeat. NEW YORK CITY FC 2, CREW 0; CREW WIN TWO-LEG SERIES 4-3 » Columbus advanced to the Eastern Conference finals, beating New York City FC 4-3 in the two-leg falling 2-0 in game.
The Crew will host the Supporters Shield winner Toronto FC in Game 1 of the conference finals Nov. 21. NYC’s David Villa opened the scoring in the 16th minute on a penalty kick as Zack Steffen dove the wrong way. It came after Josh Williams tripped Rodney Wallace in a nonthreatening position at the corner of the 18-yard box. Andraz Struna made it 2-0 in the 53rd on a deflected shot off the head of Crew defender Jonathan series after the second Mensah.
In the first leg Tuesday night, Artur started a three-goal outburst for Columbus in the second half, shortly after NYC went down a man, and the Crew won 4-1.