After battling back and forth for nearly all 90 minutes on Sunday, NYCFC found a way to edge Toronto FC and steal a road win.
Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scored a late winner to lead NYCFC to a 3-2 win over the 10-man TFC at BMO Field. The win keeps NYCFC in third place in the Eastern Conference while TFC remains seven points out of a playoff berth.
Tajouri-Shradi’s winner came in the 88th minute as the NYCFC forward scored a stunner to seal the points. Tajouri-Shradi’s goal was a stunning volley that left Alex Bono helpless as NYCFC stole the win.
TFC was put on the back foot just moments into the match as Jozy Altidore was sent off in the ninth minute for a foul on Alexander Callens. The teams’ big stars then stepped up to start the scoring early, with a returning David Villa opening the action with a 15th minute goal. Sebastian Giovinco responded with a goal of his own 12 minutes later, leveling the match at one apiece.
Tajouri-Shradi then scored the first of what would be two goals on the day shortly before halftime to give the visitors the lead right back. 10-man Toronto FC had an answer for that, too, with Victor Vazquez scoring to once again restore the deadlock.
That was as close as they’d come, though, as Tajouri-Shradi’s late winner stunned the BMO Field crowd.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ismael Tajorui-Shradi provided another multi-goal game to lead NYCFC to victory.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
The forward’s late volley was a goal worthy of being called a game-winner.
MATCH TO FORGET
TFC’s chances were all but doomed by Jozy Altidore’s early red card.
JOZY WAS DUMB BUT …
Callens deserved the kick (and worse). Dude did not come to play soccer. He fouled Jozy (and I think Gio too) every time he got near the ball. Callens had like five uncalled infractions in the first 8 minutes. Then he bodied Jozy again, kicked the ball into him and after the ball settled Jozy tried to play the ball again only to be fouled again … THEN JOZY KICKED the $#!T out of Callens ankle in retaliation.
Deserved Red Card
Deserved Kick
And where was the ref?
What a dumb play. The opposing player was holding Altidore which I’m sure frustrated him, but that stuff happens all game long. No excuse for the petty retaliation kick. Just shows that Jozy’s mental toughness still has never matched his physical gifts. I stopped watching after NYC scored their 2nd, but it sounds like Toronto kept fighting, good for them.
Who was the idiotic color commentator who thought Jozy’s red card should have been a yellow? That’s a red anywhere in the world.