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Summer Friendly Rewind: Tottenham edges Toronto, Villa blank Dallas and more

Jermain Defoe, Ryan Mason

By FRANCO PANIZO

Jermain Defoe had a chance to topple his former club with his new one, but he and Toronto FC were ultimately undone by a late goal.

Andros Townsend scored in the 85th minute and Tottenham edged Defoe and Toronto FC, 3-2, in a thrilling friendly at BMO Field on Wednesday. The Reds, playing in front of a crowd of 22,591, had pulled on even terms through a pair of second half goals before allowing Townsend to find the winner.

After falling behind to a first-half brace from Argentine midfielder Erik Lamela, TFC responded with goals form Andrew Wiedeman and Jordan Hamilton in a largely entertaining second half. Toronto would not salvage a result, however, as Lewis Holtby found Townsend on the game’s decisive play.

Defoe was Toronto FC’s captain, but was starved of service and did not make that much of an impact against Spurs.

Here are more friendly results from around North America:

ASTON VILLA SHUTOUTS FC DALLAS

Two vastly different lineups could not prevent a two-goal defeat.

FC Dallas were handed a 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa at Toyota Stadium on Wednesday despite fielding differing sets of players at the start of each half. Andrea Weiman scored the winner just before halftime, and Charles N’Zogbia scored off a free kick in the 48th minute to give the Villans some breathing room.

U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Brad Guzan did not play in the game for the Villans.

CREW-PALACE ENDS IN STALEMATE

The Columbus Crew let an early lead slip away before making up for it with an 80th-minute equalizer.

Daniel Paladini scored a late goal at Crew Stadium on Wednesday to help Columbus earn a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. Paladini’s goal erased the Premiership club’s comeback effort, which saw Glenn Murray and Jake Gray score on each side of halftime.

That the Crew were in a position to have to salvage a result at home was down to their inability to hold a lead. Adam Bedell opened the scoring 15 minutes in, but Columbus allowed Murray to net in the 36th minute and Gray in the 70th before being rescued by Paladini.

AS MONACO TOPS ATLETICO NACIONAL

There was no James Rodriguez, but there were plenty of goals.

AS Monaco and Colombian side Atletico Nacional combined for six goals on Wednesday, with the French club coming out on top, 4-2, at Marlins Park in Miami on Wednesday.

Monaco scored twice inside of 16 minutes and that set the tone for the victory in front of 15,102 fans. Nacional trimmed the deficit to 3-2 when Santiago Trellez bagged a brace in the 88th minute, but it was too little too late for the Colombian club that conceded again in the waning moments.

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What do you think of these results? Entertained by Tottenham’s win over Toronto? Surprised FC Dallas were shutout by the Aston Villa?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. On the day, the score was BPL (in early preseason) 17, MLS(mid season) 5. Any questions as to why JK wants good players to go to Europe?

    Reply
  2. Is this a record number of EPL / Euro teams playing scrimmages in the US? I cant remember a year where it’s this many.

    Reply
    • Not just EPL, but Europe, Central and South America all smell the money that can be made here. Also the European clubs want to grow a fan base in the Americas. every soccer entity can see that except for FIFA.

      Reply
      • And don’t forget all the international friendlies before the WC. Tons of live soccer to watch this summer.

  3. I watched the second half of the Villa game, and FCD were a bit hard done by not to come up with a consolation goal…that said, Nick Walker is obviously not ready for prime time yet, but everyone else looked solid.

    The second half of the season is ours for the taking.

    Reply

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