Usually in soccer, when you allow four goals, you generally lose. On the flip side, scoring four in a game gives a pretty good chance of winning.
For Toronto FC and New York City FC on Sunday, neither turned out to be the case as the teams battled to a rare and wild 4 – 4 draw, in a game that had just about everything.
David Villa scored on a free kick, then was stopped on a penalty only to see it turn into a Toronto own goal within seconds. By the 29th minute, New York City FC led 2 – 0.
Five minutes later, Sebastian Giovinco missed on a penalty then scored on another one on the way to scoring two more goals. All three of them within nine minutes in the first half. The hat trick was the first ever for a Toronto FC player. Toronto FC had come back to lead 3 – 2 at the half.
It looked to be a game that was always there for the taking for either team. Though NYCFC dominated possession, Toronto FC looked to make the most of theirs. They also looked just as shaky as New York when it came to defense. It was no surprise then, that David Villa would have another penalty opportunity. In the 65th minute, he was clipped by a diving/reaching Chris Konopka as he tried to chase down a ball to the right of the Toronto net. Villa converted the penalty only to see Toronto go ahead 17 minutes later when Giovinco fought off defenders and set up Marky Delgado for another goal.
To no one’s surprise New York City fought their way back to tie once more as Patrick Mullins scored two minutes later off an atrocious clearing attempt/gaff from Warren Creavalle. Creavalle had just come on for Jackson who had been having a great game. He had been shaken up earlier in a collision with Shay Facey. Creavalle had made it to his own far post in tracking back and was quick to get his foot on the low end of a lob that had been just sent in. Unfortunately, he sent it right back across goal and directly onto the head of Mullins.
The game ended after three minutes of extra time with both teams looking relieved and fans needing anything that would calm the nerves.
The game lacked the level of ugliness of the previous match in Toronto. Referee Ted Unkel, decisively placed his stamp on the affair with four penalties and a multitude of free kicks and fouls. Yellow cards were lower than expected with three for Toronto FC and two for NYCFC. It is fair to say though, that this was yet another exciting chapter in a growing classic rivalry.
The difference in physicality may have been due to the fact the NYCFC had most of the possession. Giovinco was able to do more with less, not to mention the fear factor most defenders seemed to have once four penalties had been given. It seemed to give him more freedom.
Speaking of Giovinco, there is no question that he is the engine that drives any productivity for Toronto FC. He makes those around him better and, often single-handedly, carries the entire team on his back. Right now, he is earning his salary and is making both Greg Vanney and Tim Bezbatchenko look good. Vanney has allowed him to take on a pure striking role as opposed to the number ten play making position for which he had been billed.
Toronto FC managed to bounce back from a poor outing last weekend in a 4 – 0 loss to the LA Galaxy. If anything, the absence of Bradley and Altidore did not appear to be an issue, at least not today. Benoit Cheyrou and Robbie Findley had strong outings. Daniel Lovitz did not look out of place filling in for Ashtone Morgan, the remainder of the back line notwithstanding.
There is no doubt that defensive issues remain. The search for an anchoring center back may have heightened and placed some pressure on a resolution to the Steven Caldwell situation. Though it has no base and may never come to fruition, Darren O’Dea as a prospective returnee has been rumored of late. Certainly, O’Dea is the mold Toronto FC would require if a solidified defense is to be achieved in efforts to hold a playoff position down the stretch.
