• MLS – Toronto FC 2 (Ricketts 81’, 90’), Columbus Crew 1 (Higuain 28’)
GAME RECAP IN A SENTENCE
Outplayed for the majority of the match in Columbus, TFC suddenly sprung to life with two goals in the final 10 minutes to cap an improbable comeback and win a fifth consecutive MLS game for the first time in franchise history.
THE MAIN STORY
Toronto FC had no business winning this game. None. For nearly 80 minutes, TFC were outplayed and outworked by the Crew, who took full advantage of some very tired legs and bodies – the Reds played in Seattle on Saturday, so this was their second road game in five days. What’s more, Sebastian Giovinco was left at home to nurse a heel injury, while coach Greg Vanney made five lineup changes as he rotated his squad.
Toronto laboured through the proceedings, unable to move the ball quickly enough when attacking, and too slow to close down the Crew when they were in possession. Columbus’ quartet of Federico Higuain, Ola Kamara, Will Trapp and Justin Meram gave TFC’s back line plenty of fits, with Trapp eventually feeding Ola who earned a penalty after being hauled down by Eriq Zavaleta. Higuain converted the penalty, and it looked like it was going to be one of those nights for the Reds – even more so after Jozy Altidore failed to convert his penalty later in the half.
Vanney didn’t wait until the break to make a change, swapping off defender Chris Mavinga for Canadian forward Tosaint Ricketts in the 40th minute. The switch from a three-man back line to a diamond-shaped 4-4-2 formation gave Altidore someone to connect with up front, but the Crew still managed to dictate the game against a Toronto side that was too slow and deliberate in its buildup play. Columbus, though, didn’t stick the dagger in, allowing the Reds to hang around, and that’s what ultimately cost them three points at home.
Vanney inserted Raheem Edwards into the game at the expense of Jay Chapman, and suddenly TFC looked dangerous going forward thanks to the young Canadian’s initiative and drive. It was Edwards’ gorgeous cross into the box just moments after stepping onto the field that found Ricketts at the far post. The veteran Canadian made no mistake in heading it home, tying the game totally against the run of play. But it didn’t end there, as the Canadian connection teamed up again in the dying minutes, delivering a cruel sucker punch against the Columbus outfit that should have put the visitors away earlier in the game.
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KEY MOMENT
90’ GOAL! Toronto 2-1 Columbus: Tosaint Ricketts netted the equalizer in the 81st minutes, nodding home from in close off a beautiful cross floated into the box by Raheem Edwards. That set the stage for the Canadian duo to team up again on the winning goal in the final minute of regulation. Edwards hit a speculative ball into the box – this time from the opposite flank – that Victor Vazquez managed to get a touch on, flicking it past three Crew defenders to the back post for Ricketts to fire home.
TALKING POINT
How important of a win was this for TFC? In the grand scheme of things, not that big. It’s still early in the season, so nothing tangible (such as home field advantage in the playoffs) was won or lost on this night. But this was a massive shot in the arm for a club in the middle of a grueling schedule – Toronto played at home last Wednesday, travelled to Seattle on the weekend, made a trip to Ohio tonight, and hosts Minnesota this Saturday. Four games in 11 days. They managed to take the full complement of points on offer over the past week to hold onto first place in the overall MLS standings. The Reds were outplayed on Wednesday, and by all rights they should have returned home with nothing to show for it. Instead, they took three points, and they also sent a message to the rest of the league that no matter how poor they look, they’re never completely out of any game.
QUICK TAKE
While this match clearly cried out for someone of Sebastian Giovinco’s creativity and game-breaking ability, it says a lot about the depth of TFC that they managed to score two goals (by a substitute, no less) on the road without their most dangerous attacker. It’s also a positive sign that coach Greg Vanney has been able to manage the Italian’s minutes early on in the campaign – Giovinco faded towards the end of last season, as Vanney often trotted him out even when the occasion didn’t call for it. Giving his star scorer the day off and enough time to recuperate from niggling injuries, instead of pushing him or giving in to Giovinco’s wishes to play even when he’s not fully fit, will pay huge dividends later on in the season.
STANDOUT STAT
Columbus Crew forward Federico Higuain now has eight goals and six assists in 15 appearances vs. Toronto FC.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Tosaint Ricketts and Raheem Edwards, Toronto: Ricketts replaced defender Chris Mavinga late in the opening half, and gave the previously isolated Jozy Altidore someone to play off of up front. Edwards entered the game in the 78th minute for Jay Chapman and instantly breathed new life into TFC’s limp attack with his penetrating runs and fearlessness in taking on defenders. Toronto was transformed upon Edwards’ introduction, the youngster immediately linking up effectively with Ricketts, delivering two dangerous balls into the box for his fellow Canadian to finish off as the Reds stunned the Crew.
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