In the club’s return to BMO Field, Toronto FC was only able to leave with a share of the points.

The defending MLS Eastern Conference Champions were held to a 0-0 draw at BMO Field against visiting Sporting Kansas City on Friday night. Both sides were looking to make it consecutive league victories, while both were also looking to avoid suffering defeat for the first time this season.

Roger Espinoza’s first-minute long-range effort forced a nice save from Toronto keeper Clint Irwin to kick things off. Soony Saad’s 36th-minute strike forced another good save from Irwin, which would be the keeper’s last contribution in the match. Irwin left due to an injury four minutes later, which saw Alex Bono replace him in-goal.

The hosts created several first-half efforts, but were unable to force a save from Sporting KC keeper Tim Melia. Raheem Edwards’ 49th-minute effort posed an early threat towards the Sporting KC goal, but Melia was up to the task.

Sebastian Giovinco’s 59th-minute right-footed free-kick struck the bar after the Italian drew a foul from Matt Besler. Gerso Fernandes’ left-footed strike in the 70th-minute drew a strong save from Bono, who did well in a substitute appearance.

Giovinco’s 79th-minute effort was saved by Melia in the bottom-left corner which kept the scoreline locked at 0-0. Sporting KC looked to have won it late from an 89th-minute corner-kick, but they were unable to pounce on the loose ball in the box.

At the final whistle, both teams shared the points in what was their third draw each this season. Melia made two saves in the clean sheet for Peter Vermes’ side, while Irwin and Bono stopped five shots total.

TFC (1-3-0) hosts Atlanta United on April 8 at BMO Field, while Sporting KC hosts the Colorado Rapids a day later on April 9 at Sporting Park.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Despite only making two saves in the draw, Sporting KC keeper Tim Melia made some key decisions in the match. The 30-year-old keeper kept out two good efforts, while punching away several corner-kicks. It’s never easy to earn a result at BMO Field, but Melia was huge for Vermes’ team and helped his side remain unbeaten.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The 89th-minute corner for Sporting KC really could have ended up a lot different in the score-line. Striker Dom Dwyer threw his body on the line to get on the end of the cross, but was unable to do so. The loose ball in the box gave Toronto’s defenders trouble, and luckily they were able to clear. If not, we could have been talking about the hosts suffering their first loss this season.

MATCH TO FORGET

Toronto FC striker Tosaint Ricketts really didn’t make much of an impression Friday night starting over Jozy Altidore. Giovinco was truly the best player for Toronto, which isn’t a surprise, but Ricketts didn’t offer much in support. The 29-year-old forward only had one shot, which ended up being blocked, but also lost possession nine times in the match.