Toronto FC responds in second half to earn draw against NYCFC
Toronto FC earned a 1-1 draw against New York City FC at BMO Field, recovering from Nicolás Fernández’s first-half goal. Dániel Sallói equalized in the 70th minute following a well-coordinated play. The result keeps Toronto close to the playoff line, positioned 10th in the Eastern Conference with 25 points.
Photo: Aleksandr Melinkov
Toronto FC found its best football after falling behind at BMO Field, using a sharper second-half performance to earn a 1-1 draw against New York City FC.
Nicolás Fernández gave the visitors the lead in the 29th minute, but Dániel Sallói came off the bench to equalize in the 70th after a well-worked move involving Alonso Coello and Theo Corbeanu.
The point moved Toronto to 5-7-10 through 22 matches. The Reds sit 10th in the Eastern Conference with 25 points, level with ninth-place Orlando City and 11th-place D.C. United. NYCFC remains seventh with 28 points.
NYCFC strikes first at BMO Field
Toronto had some promising stretches with the ball in the opening half but took time to adjust defensively to New York City’s buildup.
The visitors eventually took advantage.
Agustín Ojeda and Andrés Perea were involved in the sequence that created space for Fernández, who worked the ball onto his left foot and scored in the 29th minute.
Toronto went into halftime down 1-0, and head coach Robin Fraser wanted a more aggressive approach after the break.
“I thought the second half was really good,” Fraser said. “The first half wasn’t bad. But we didn’t sort out how to get pressure to them probably quickly enough and well enough.”
The difference became noticeable after the restart. Toronto increased its pressure and began creating attacks from different areas of the field, forcing NYCFC to spend more time defending.
Fraser then made two changes in the 55th minute, bringing Matheus Pereira and Sallói into the match.
Corbeanu and Sallói combine again
Fifteen minutes after entering, Sallói delivered the equalizer.
Coello started the move with a precise pass into space for Corbeanu. The Canadian international attacked down the right and sent the ball across for Sallói, whose run toward the back post ended with the finish for 1-1.
“I feel like Alo’s pass was one-inch perfect and Theo’s pass was also one-inch perfect,” Fraser said. “And then Dániel’s finish. I thought the precision displayed in that particular attack was excellent.”
The goal extended Sallói’s productive run to four consecutive MLS matches with a goal contribution. He has two goals and two assists during that stretch, while Coello registered his fifth assist of the season.
Corbeanu also sees signs of a developing partnership with Sallói. The pair have now connected in consecutive matches at BMO Field.
“I feel like I’m building a good connection with him,” Corbeanu said. “He knows where I’m gonna put the ball and I know where he’s gonna be.”
Toronto continued looking for a winner after drawing level but could not turn its stronger second half into three points.
Toronto stays close to the playoff line
The comeback reinforced one of the qualities Fraser has repeatedly seen from his team, although the Toronto coach also identified the problem that comes with constantly needing those responses.
“They don’t quit, they dig in, they fight,” Fraser said. “But I would say a problem is we are coming from behind too often.”
That issue becomes increasingly important when looking at the Eastern Conference standings.
Toronto’s 25 points leave the club immediately behind Orlando City, which occupies ninth place with the same total. NYCFC is only three points ahead in seventh, while eighth-place New York Red Bulls have 26.
The Reds now remain at BMO Field for another Eastern Conference matchup. Toronto hosts third-place Chicago Fire on Saturday, with Chicago entering the game on 37 points from 21 matches.
For Toronto, the task will be to reproduce the urgency and attacking variety displayed after halftime against NYCFC without first needing to recover from another deficit.
