Toronto FC (5W-13L-7T, 22 points) battled to a 1-1 draw against Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield leaders Philadelphia Union (15W-5L-6T, 51 points) on Saturday night, sparked by Deandre Kerr’s stoppage-time equalizer at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Toronto FC Head Coach Robin Fraser made five changes from the side that faced Charlotte FC a fortnight ago with Luka Gavran, Raoul Petretta, Deybi Flores, Ola Brynhildsen and Djordje Mihailovic coming in for Sean Johnson, Kobe Franklin, Maxime Dominguez, Matty Longstaff and Deandre Kerr. New Designated Player Djordje Mihailovic’s first outing as a Red came in the starting lineup following his arrival earlier in the week.
Philadelphia Union struck early along the banks of the Delaware River as Indiana Vassilev finished off Tai Baribo’s pass after a slick team move in the fourth minute.
TFC tested Philadelphia’s defensive resolve, with debutant Djordje Mihailovic creating first-half chances for Ola Brynhildsen and Theo Corbeanu in response.
Eleven minutes into the second half, Tai Baribo appeared to have doubled the hosts’ lead, heading in from close-range after Luka Gavran’s reflex save. The 56th minute effort, however, was subsequently ruled out for offside following an in-stadium review by referee Tori Penso.
Chasing an equalizer, the Reds turned to fresh legs in the 76th minute, introducting newly signed Malik Henry along with Deandre Kerr off the bench.
Toronto FC came within inches of an equalizer in the 83rd minute when Kevin Long’s volley from Djordje Mihailovic’s corner forced goalkeeper Andre Blake into an instinctive low save.
The Reds’ relentless pressure paid off in the first minute of stoppage time, as Mihailovic found Malik Henry in space on the right wing, whose pinpoint cross into the box was headed home by Deandre Kerr.
The 91st minute goal marked Henry’s first assist for Toronto FC and Kerr’s 19th goal for his hometown club.
With neither side able to find a late winner, the Eastern Conference clubs settled for a 1-1 draw, each earning a hard-fought point apiece in a tightly contested affair.
Toronto FC return home next to host Columbus Crew on Saturday, August 16. Kick-off from BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and on TSN4 in Canada.
LINEUPS
PHILADELPHIA UNION – Andre Blake (C); Nathan Harriel, Olwethu Makhanya, Jakob Glesnes, Kai Wagner; Quinn Sullivan (Cavan Sullivan 88’), Danley Jean Jacques, Jesús Bueno (Jovan Lukic 81’), Indiana Vassilev (Alejandro Bedoya 88’); Bruno Damiani (Mikael Uhre 67’), Tai Baribo (Milan Iloski 67’)
Substitutes Not Used: Andrew Rick, Olivier Mbaizo, Francis Westfield, Jeremy Rafanello
TORONTO FC – Luka Gavran; Sigurd Rosted, Kevin Long, Raoul Petretta (Kosi Thompson 90+6’); Richie Laryea, Jonathan Osorio (C), Deybi Flores, Alonso Coello (Maxime Dominguez 59’), Theo Corbeanu (Malik Henry 76’); Ola Brynhildsen (Deandre Kerr 76’), Djordje Mihailovic (Derrick Etienne Jr. 90+6’)
Substitutes Not Used: Adisa De Rosario, Kobe Franklin, Lazar Stefanovic, Matty Longstaff
MEDIA NOTES
- Djordje Mihailovic made his Toronto FC debut as a starter, becoming the ninth player to debut for the Reds this season.
- Malik Henry and Djordje Mihailovic registered their first assists for TFC.
