Toronto FC suffered a 1-2 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC in an all-Canadian MLS match-up at BMO Field on Saturday night.
The opening half saw Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC register seven shot attempts a piece. TFC started the game on the front foot when winger Federico Bernardeschi’s left-footed free-kick attempt from outside the 18-yard box fizzed just wide of the bottom right corner. TFC kept up the offensive pressure in the opening minutes when midfielder Jonathan Osorio’s left-footed long-range attempt from outside the box flew just wide of the bottom left corner in the 15th minute. Just one minute later, TFC earned a free kick in a very dangerous zone. Winger Lorenzo Insigne’s right-footed free-kick attempt from outside the 18-yard box went just over the Vancouver crossbar. TFC kept testing the Vancouver net with long-distance shooting. In the 25th minute, Insigne’s right-footed strike from distance forced a save from Vancouver Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka. Not to be outdone, Vancouver Whitecaps FC forced two solid saves from TFC goalkeeper Tomás Romero in the 30th, and 32nd minutes respectively. In the 33rd minute, Federico Bernardeschi’s left-footed free-kick attempt forced a last-second save from Vancouver Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka. In the 40th minute, TFC goalkeeper Tomás Romero made a terrific bottom-left corner save denying former TFC, and current Vancouver Whitecaps FC wing-back Richie Laryea’s point-blank attempt from the centre of the box.
The Reds began the second half on a quest for the breakthrough opportunity. In the 47th minute, Insigne’s free-kick attempt from the left-hand side of the 18-yard box went just over the Vancouver goal. One minute later, TFC goalkeeper Tomás Romero made an exceptional acrobatic save on Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Ryan Raposo’s right-footed shot attempt in the bottom right corner. In the 50th minute, TFC was able to secure the lead when Lorenzo Insigne’s brilliantly controlled one-touch ball released Deandre Kerr on a break-away. Kerr made no mistake in converting the opportunity in the bottom left corner of the net to give TFC the advantage. The lead was short-lived however, as Vancouver Whitecaps FC were able to equalize in the 56th minute courtesy of centre-back Tristan Blackmon’s header from a corner. With the game level, Vancouver raised their offensive intensity. In the 62nd minute, Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Ryan Raposo’s right-footed shot from the left-hand side of the box rattled the TFC crossbar. Seven minutes later, Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Brian White scored a header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner to give Vancouver the lead in the 66th minute. As the game continued, TFC goalkeeper Tomás Romero was called into action and delivered key saves in the 73rd, and 90th minute.
Unfortunately for the Reds, an equalizer was not to be found in this game.
The Reds return to action on Wednesday, September 20th at DRV PNK Stadium vs. Inter Miami CF.
