Yeferson Soteldo scored a goal and added an assist as Toronto FC defeat Chicago Fire FC 3-1 at BMO Field on Sunday afternoon.
Life under interim head coach Frank Klopas actually began quite well for Chicago, who opened the scoring just 16 minutes in. Fabian Herbers slipped a ball into Robert Berić, and the Slovenian Designated Player’s shot took a wicked deflection off a sliding Michael Bradley and past Alex Bono to make it 1-0 for the visitors.
The home side had a golden opportunity to equalize when Toronto FC were awarded a penalty in the 36th minute. A cross from Jacob Shaffelburg deflected off Fire defender Jonathan Bornstein and up into his arm, prompting the referee to point to the penalty spot. Up stepped Soteldo, but the Venezuelan Designated Player’s effort – low and hard on the ground to his left – was saved by 17-year-old Gabriel Slonina, keeping TFC off the score sheet.
However, just before halftime, Toronto got their equalizer through Mark Delgado. Another great run and delivery from Shaffelburg down the left-hand side found the feet of Delgado outside of the Fire box, and like Chicago's opening goal, the veteran midfielder's shot took a big deflection, this time off Bornstein and past a helpless Slonina to tie the game 1-1.
Three minutes into the second half, TFC thought they had the go-ahead marker when Auro Jr. was played in behind by Bradley. The Brazilian defender then squared the ball to Shaffelburg at the far post for a tap-in, however, TFC’s celebrations were cut short, as Auro was correctly deemed offside by the linesman, nullifying the goal.
And although that goal was called back, Toronto would keep their foot on the gas pedal and they'd get rewarded for their efforts in the 56th minute. A corner taken short to Soteldo was eventually whipped into the box where it met the head of TFC defender Omar Gonzalez, who powered it home past Slonina to give the Reds a 2-1 lead.
Soteldo would add another for Toronto in the 70th minute, as he got on the end of a Jonathan Osorio through ball and fired it home to make it 3-1, capping off the scoring and the victory for TFC.