Toronto FC battled to a second consecutive result on Wednesday night, drawing 2-2 with the Philadelphia Union at BMO Field.
The Union took the lead just seconds into the match when the ball found Alejandro Bedoya unmarked at the back-post, but TFC found a way back from that slow start, taking control of the match and scoring twice inside of four minutes in the second half.
Jozy Altidore grabbed the first in the 66th minute, pouncing on a ball pushed into the box by Noble Okello to hit a sweet left-footer into the Philadelphia net. And Jacob Shaffelburg crafted the second with a dangerous ball into the box from the left that was turned into his own net by Jack Elliott.
The visitors would equalize in the 77th minute off a quickly taken throw in that caught Toronto napping. Kai Wagner whipped in a pinpoint cross that was met by the head of substitute Sergio Santos and banked in off the far-post.
Kacper Przybylko would rattle the bar shortly thereafter and Philadelphia were incensed to not be awarded a penalty kick in stoppage-time when a shot hit the arm of Michael Bradley – it skipped off his thigh before the offending handball – but, come the final whistle, both would have to settle for a single point.
“First half we took control – forget the first 30 seconds of the game – and the second half we came back with a couple of goals,” said Javier Perez post-match. “[Philadelphia], coming into this game was the second team of the East. It's a good team, a strong team, well organized.”
“You can tell that we are not used to having the lead in the games because we put the foot off the pedal a little bit. And then when Santos came into action, we took [on] more risk because they played with Przybyłko and Santos on top. It was more difficult for us,” he continued. “I'm happy with the performance tonight. We showed today that we have [what it takes] to be [a] team that was in the playoffs. It's not in the cards for us this year, but the quality is there. We deserved more tonight, we deserved more for the season.”
All season long moments of inattention have proved costly. Both Philadelphia goals came from instances where Toronto switched off.
“Both plays are similar in a way – there is a third one that [Philadelphia] hit the crossbar and it's very similar,” observed Perez. “That's a mistake. That's something we've been penalized for and that's why we have today a draw and not a win.”
For Altidore that makes two goals in two games.
“Jozy [has] come a long way,” highlighted Perez. “The last time he played 90 minutes was in March 2020 (the last game before the pandemic upended everything), more than a year and a half ago. He completed 90 minutes, he scored a goal, he created the opportunity for the second – if the deflection doesn't happen, he's there to finish the play.”
“That transforms the team,” added the coach. “We have a number 9, our reference out front, that not only can score goals but be the reference when we press. He brings a lot of positives into the team. Today, for him, it's a big milestone and we want to see more of him. It's two games in a row scoring. I can only encourage him and keep putting him on the field so he can do what he does best.”
Alejandro Pozuelo also got another 90 minutes under his belt, as did Noble Okello, who started and completed a third-straight match – the longest stretch of minutes in his young career.
“I'm getting confidence,” said the 21-year-old midfielder. “I've got to improve every game that I get called by the coach and I'm just trying to get better every day. I'm happy that my teammates are believing in me and it helps me on the field.”
And it was his good work that helped TFC find the breakthrough, pushing up to pressure a series of turnovers out of the Union defense and touching the ball to Altidore.
“I got a call from Mike to step on the play,” recalled Okello. “I read the pass and I tried to intercept it, and it worked out. It landed to Jozy's feet. I'm happy to get my first assist for our club.”
While one midfielder begins his journey, another reached a big milestone: Wednesday night was Michael Bradley 250th appearance for TFC in all competitions.
“I don't have adjectives for Michael,” began Perez. “I’ve spoken long about him, his commitment, his dedication, his leadership with the club. Even 250 games is not enough for him because of everything that he has contributed.”
“I can only say positive things about him. We worked together for the past ten years on and off and I know him very well,” he continued. “He's embracing his role as a captain, he's embracing that leadership, and he's an example for all of us. Congratulations to Michael; hopefully he can stay with us another 250 games.”
Added Okello: “Michael is such a leader. Not only on the field, but off the field, especially with us young players. He's helped me grow a lot, especially this year, playing a little bit more.”
This closing run of seven matches in three weeks continues this weekend when TFC hit the road to face Atlanta United on Saturday. Next Wednesday comes the visit of Pacific FC for the Voyageurs Cup semifinal in the Canadian Championship and then the following Sunday the visit of D.C. United marks the end of the MLS regular season.
Of note, on Wednesday night in Hamilton CF Montreal defeated Forge FC on penalty kicks in the other semifinal to earn a berth in the cup final.
Toronto will be looking to continue taking the forward steps required.
“It's not easy, when you don't have a clear objective like it is in our case, to come tonight and put the performance that we put together,” emphasized Perez. “The team fought. The team took control of the game. We were the better side. We tied 2-2, yes, it's true, we didn't win the game, but the effort is there.”
“The team wants more this season. They know this season is not over,” he added. “They know that we cannot just show for one game in the semifinals, that we have to keep going, we have to keep displaying good performances. I'm satisfied with what I saw tonight.”