Two first half goals sink New York City FC on road in 2-1 loss to Toronto FC
Courtesy: NYCFC
By Chris Tsakonas
The MLS road struggles continue for New York City FC, as a pair of goals in the first half made the difference in a 2-1 defeat to Toronto FC at BMO Field.
NYCFC initially were awarded a penalty kick in the 8th minute after it looked like Kosi Thompson tripped Talles Magno at the edge of the six yard box. It was called back by referee Drew Fisher after a video review.
“I talked to the referee after the game and he admitted there was a mistake,” manager Ronny Deila said after the game. “I don’t know [who made the mistake] but he has to get the right pictures that show it is a penalty, so that’s why he didn’t give us the penalty.”
Deila expressed his frustration with the officiating in the press conference, explaining that it wasn’t the first time a call or no call has affected the outcome of a game.
“It’s not the first time it’s happening - I’m starting to get used to it,” Deila said. “[It happens] five, six times every year. It’s like a player or coach [who makes a] mistake over and over; eventually you just give up.”
New York City got their first shot on target in the 19th minute, when a through ball to Taty Castellanos sprung him one on one with goalkeeper Alex Bono, but the shot was just wide of the near left post.
“We started the game really well,” Deila said. “We had the penalty situation, we had Taty one on one with the goalkeeper, and then they scored and they came more into the game.”
In the 31st minute, Toronto FC took the lead against the run of play. A through ball from Jonathan Osorio found Jesus Jimenez in the box, and he finished past Sean Johnson on the ensuing one on one. It was the third goal of the year for Jimenez, and it came on their first shot on goal of the game.
Toronto doubled their advantage off a set piece in the 43rd minute. Off a free kick about 30 yards from goal on the left flank, Alejandro Pozuelo delivered a curling cross into the box that deflected off the top of the head of Thiago Martins and inside the far right post for an own goal.
NYCFC got the bulk of the opportunities in the second half, starting in the 47th minute with a low cross from Maxi Moralez into the box that was flicked on by Castellanos, but it softly fell into the hands of Bono.
Keaton Parks had a look at goal in the 68th minute, firing a low shot from the top of the penalty area that was stopped by a diving Bono and put out for a corner kick.
Toronto’s best chance at a third goal came in the 71st minute - Lucas Petrasso dribbled to the edge of the area and got off a powerful shot that was denied by a point blank save from Johnson as he charged out of his net.
New York City had a golden opportunity to pull a goal back in the 75th minute, when Castellanos squared a ball into the box for Santi Rodriguez, who had space to get a clean shot off, but the ball took a heavy touch into the arms of Bono.
NYCFC finally got one back in the 92nd minute, as a deep cross from the right side from was headed home by Heber. While it ultimately didn’t change the outcome, the goal was Heber’s first for New York City since September 2020.
New York City FC have a quick turnaround, hosting the Seattle Sounders in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals on Wednesday night.
“We have to keep on believing in what we are doing,” Deila said. “But [it’s] frustrating that we are going two games now without winning.”