Toronto FC (5W-13L-8T, 23 points) and the Columbus Crew (12W-5L-9T, 45 points) played out an
entertaining 1-1 draw at BMO Field on Saturday evening, highlighted by Jules-Anthony Vilsaint’s game-tying
goal on his club debut.
Toronto FC Head Coach Robin Fraser made three changes to the starting lineup that featured in last weekend’s road draw against the Philadelphia Union with Luka Gavran, Deybi Flores and Theo Corbeanu making way for Sean Johnson, Maxime Dominguez and Deandre Kerr.
The Crew broke the deadlock early as a loose block in the box fell kindly into the path of Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi, who took a touch before rifling home in the eighth minute.
The visitors nearly doubled their lead when Andrés Herrera beat the offside trap and ran onto Malte Amundsen’s long ball over the top, only for his effort to be saved by Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
The hosts’ best opportunity of the opening half came in the 41st minute when Jonathan Osorio combined with Djordje Mihailovic on a give-and-go before sending in a low cross that Ola Brynhildsen came within inches of turning home.
TFC pushed forward for much of the second half, with Deandre Kerr coming closest to finding the breakthrough. In search of an attacking spark, Malik Henry and Theo Corbeanu were introduced off the bench in the 66th minute before Jules-Anthony Vilsaint entered the match eleven minutes later.
Vilsaint, acquired via trade from CF Montréal earlier in the week, made an instant impact by scoring an equalizer with just his second touch as a Red. The move began with Malik Henry collecting a clearance from a corner and feeding Djordje Mihalovic on the left wing, whose pinpoint cross was side-footed home by Jules-Anthony Vilsaint.
The 77th minute strike marked the Montreal, Quebec native’s first goal for the Reds and an assist in successive matches for new acquisition Djordje Mihailovic.
Moments later, Columbus Crew thought they had regained the lead through Daniel Gazdag after a neat passing sequence, but the effort was subsequently ruled out for offside following an in-stadium video review by referee Chris Penso.
Both Eastern Conference clubs pressed for a late winner, though neither could find the decisive blow with the match finishing in a 1-1 tie by the lake shore.
Toronto FC hit the road to visit Atlanta United on Sunday, August 24. Kick-off from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia is set for 4:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and on TSN2 in Canada.
LINEUPS
TORONTO FC – Sean Johnson; Richie Laryea, Sigurd Rosted (Malik Henry 66’), Kevin Long, Raoul Petretta; Jonathan Osorio (C), Alonso Coello (Kobe Franklin 89’), Maxime Dominguez (Derrick Etienne Jr. 89’), Djordje Mihailovic, Ola Brynhildsen (Theo Corbeanu 66’); Deandre Kerr (Jules-Anthony Vilsaint 75’)
Substitutes Not Used: Luka Gavran, Kosi Thompson, Lazar Stefanovic, Markus Cimermancic
COLUMBUS CREW – Patrick Schulte; Andrés Herrera (Lassi Lappalainen 83’), Steven Moreira (C) (Cesar Ruvalcaba 88’), Sean Zawadzki, Malte Amundsen (Yevhen Cheberko 46’), Max Arfsten; Daniel Gazdag, Taha Habroune, Dylan Chambost, Diego Rossi (Hugo Picard 83’); Ibrahim Aliyu (Jacen Russell-Rowe 46’)
Substitutes Not Used: Evan Bush, Amar Sejdic, Derrick Jones, Tristan Brown
MEDIA NOTES
- Jules-Anthony Vilsaint made his Toronto FC debut as a 75th minute substitute, becoming the tenth player to debut for the Reds this season.
- Jules-Anthony Vilsaint also scored his first goal for TFC.
- Djordje Mihailovic recorded assists in successive matches for the first time in his career with Toronto FC.
