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Alex Bono gets second clean sheet in the 2020 MLS season

Learn about Alex Bono, who got his second clean sheet against New York City FC. As a result, Toronto FC takes all three points over NYCFC.
Alex Bono Toronto FC

Alex Bono, the backup goalkeeper for Toronto FC, played a big role in Toronto getting all three points at Red Bull Arena against New York City FC. Bono made eight saves against New York City FC on Wednesday. He now has two clean sheets in two games. Most importantly, Toronto FC is now seven points clear of fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

Three Keys to the Game

Alex Bono the Player of the Game

Bono now has two clean sheets in two games. He made several big saves when Toronto needed him the most. He made saves on all of New York City FC’s eight shots. This includes making a spectacular save on Keaton Parks in the 25-minute.

Bono made another amazing save on Parks in the 32-minute. Alexander Callens then hit Parks’ rebounded shot, but Bono stopped that shot as well. Then in the second half, Bono saved a shot from Héber Araujo dos Santos in the 65-minute. Throughout the game, NYCFC looked like the better team but was unable to capitalize.

NYCFC Failed to Take Advantage of their Chances

NYCFC has only scored 10 goals in the 2020 MLS season. It was apparent today that New York City FC could not score in front of the goal. NYCFC was clearly the better team and pressured Toronto FC’s defense throughout the game.

NYCFC had 16 shots with eight of them hitting the target. Toronto FC only had nine shots with three of them hitting the target. Lastly, NYCFC had nine corners while Toronto only had one corner. Despite all of these statistics in their favor, they were still unable to capitalize.

An example would be in the 61-minute, where Maxime Chanot had a header in the centre of the box but missed the net. Another chance was in the 42-minute where Alexander Ring right-footed a shot from the centre of the box. However, the shot was too straight and Bono made the easy save.

Their inability to put shots into the back of the net continues to hurt them as they lost their first home game this year in their temporary home this year of Red Bull Arena. The loss against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on Aug. 20 was counted as a road game.

Toronto FC Got a Moment of Fortune

Toronto FC had three chances before their penalty to take the lead. The first chance was a Richie Laryea pass to Alejandro Pozuelo, whose shot was saved spectacularly by Sean Johnson, goalkeeper of NYCFC.

Pozuelo had a free-kick in the 72-minute. His tremendous free-kick allowed Omar Gonzalez to get a clean header at goal. However, Gonzalez missed the net and the game remained scoreless. Two minutes later, Pablo Piatti passed the ball to Ayo Akinola who had his shot stopped by Johnson.

This was until the 88-minute. Justin Morrow, defender of Toronto FC shot the ball from outside the box, which touched Nicolás Acevedo on the hand and a penalty was called. Pozuelo took the penalty and this time put it into the back of the net. He did not play around with the penalty like last time against the Montreal Impact. As a result, Toronto got all three points against NYCFC.

Toronto vs. NYCFC Review

Alex Bono played a key part in Toronto FC’s win. Toronto’s backup goalkeeper is also winning his case that he should be the starting goalkeeper over Quentin Westberg so far this year.

There is now a gap between the top four teams in the Eastern Conference compared to the rest of the Eastern Conference. Toronto FC, Orlando City SC, and the Philadelphia Union are all tied for second with 25 points.

However, Toronto is currently placed fourth in the Eastern Conference because they have a worse goal differential than the Lions and the Union. For New York City FC they are now sixth in the Eastern Conference after the New England Revolution won today against the Impact.

The Red Bulls, who are tied with NYCFC in points are seventh in the Eastern Conference. This is because the New York Red Bulls have a worse goal differential than New York City FC.  The Revolution, who are fifth in the Eastern Conference, are currently seven points behind Toronto, who are fourth in the Eastern Conference.

Lastly, there were also some milestones achieved by some Toronto FC players. Jozy Altidore has officially made 150 appearances while Chris Mavinga has made 100 appearances for Toronto FC.

NYCFC will face the other Ohio team FC Cincinnati on Saturday at Red Bull Arena. This is while Toronto FC will face Supporters’ Shield leaders and Trillium Cup rivals Columbus Crew SC on Sunday. The game against the Crew will be Toronto’s home game in their American home of Hartford, Connecticut at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. It is expected to be the first of six home games Toronto will play in Hartford.

 

 

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