We’ve given plenty of love to TFC’s attacking corps here in the Video Room, and with good reason; the likes of Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Victor Vazquez have enjoyed a hot start to 2017. But this week, let’s take a look at the opposite end of the pitch as Alex Bono did more than his fair sure to ensure three points for the Reds on Wednesday night.
The Situation
The first half saw all the scoring as Giovinco bagged his brace before Kaka pegged one back for the visitors just at the stroke of halftime.
With Orlando growing in confidence after the break, TFC were forced to play in their own end a bit more than they would like, fending off some dangerous moves. The pressure continued to build and culminated in what could very well have been the equalizer in the 59th minute, but Bono had other ideas.
The Play
Canadian international Cyle Larin has been one of the league’s top strikers since his 2015 rookie campaign, and all eyes were on the Brampton native on Wednesday night. Back at his old stomping grounds, he so nearly had the homecoming he had dreamed of, but a matter of inches denied him the opportunity.
With the Lions pushing forward, Carlos Rivas collected the ball outside the area and did a nice job to turn Michael Bradley and head towards the space that Raheem Edwards had vacated on the right wing.
The Colombian wasted little time in getting the ball centrally as he spotted Larin’s run into the box.
The cross was near inch-perfect as it bent in between centerbacks Nick Hagglund and Eriq Zavaleta to find the foot of Larin, but Bono spotted the run and came off his line to cut down the angle. He managed to get his right hand on the effort, but the ball still had enough momentum to cross the goal line.
Bono reacted quickly, scrambling back to get in between Larin and the goal line. And just before Larin could tap it home for the easiest of finishes, Bono somehow managed to get a swipe at the ball with his left hand to preserve the 2-1 lead.
Bono’s initial positioning was key as Larin had very little room for error. By coming off of his line, the former Syracuse man did just enough to put off his former Big East foe and make the crucial initial save.
Even still, an equalizing goal looked a forgone conclusion with Larin bearing in on goal. But a moment’s hesitation was all Bono needed to make up some ground and make the most improbable of match-winning saves.
via GIPHY
What They Said
Alex Bono: “I know Cyle well and every time I get to play him it’s a special experience for me; I like shutting him down. On the first one, I felt it going behind me towards the goal and I just reached around and hoped I was closest to it.”
