Recap — Caden Clark and his wonder strike snapped Toronto FC’s five-game winning streak. It was a game with lots of chances as both teams could have come away with all three points. However, both teams were not clinical, and a tie seems to be a fair result.
Caden Clark Ends the Supporter Shields’ Leaders Five-Game Winning Streak
Three Keys to the Game
Toronto FC Scores the First Goal
Toronto FC has never lost a game when scoring the first goal. This holds true after the end of this game. Toronto had a lot of chances to score in the first 21 minutes of the game. For example, Alejandro Pozuelo had two chances.
The first one was in the eighth minute where his shot from a difficult angle was stopped by Ryan Meara. Then Pozuelo had a big chance to take the early lead in the ninth minute but shot the ball wide.
Then Pablo Piatti’s shot was stopped by Meara in the 20th minute. Toronto, though would get its break in the 21st minute as Dru Yearwood was called for a handball within the Red Bulls penalty box. As a result, Pozuelo took the penalty and scored for Toronto. The game was then 1-0.
You already know the deal.@Pozuelo_10 | #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/TmV9Xk7AoR
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) October 15, 2020
Too Many Toronto Giveaways on the Defensive End
Toronto was obviously not playing at their best against the New York Red Bulls. They gave away too many giveaways since scoring the first goal of the game. This can be seen in the 42nd minute, where Toronto giveaways ended with a Red Bulls throw in and corner.
Another example would be Omar Gonzalez who almost gave away a goal in the 56th minute. This was where Gonzalez turned the ball away. As a result, Red Bulls player Tom Barlow was all alone in front of Quentin Westberg. Fortunately, for Toronto, Barlow’s shot was stopped by Westberg.
This should have been a warning for Toronto to not turn over the ball so much. However, Toronto turned the ball over again in the 79th minute. Then Calen Clark, the Red Bulls teenager did something spectacular.
We are all Danny Royer 🤯 pic.twitter.com/zCaLmVfeNK
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 15, 2020
Both Teams Had Chances to Win the Game
Both Toronto and the Red Bulls had chances to score. Toronto had 15 shots and had six shots on goal. This while the Red Bulls had 10 shots, with four shots on goal. In the 16-minute Ayo Akinola had a terrific chance to score but his touch hurt him and Toronto gave up the goal-scoring chance.
In the 73rd minute Pozuelo’s shot was blocked by the Red Bulls defense. Then in the 83rd minute Akinola had a fantastic chance to score. However, his shot was easily saved by Meara. Patrick Mullins also had a chance, but his shot was saved in the 88th minute.
Akinola did not look sharp today, but all credit to the Red Bulls defense. They did not make Akinola feel comfortable and it showed throughout the game.
The Red Bulls and their execution was not good either. In the 63rd minute, Florian Valot missed the target from close range. Lastly, Marc Rzatkowski had a shot in the 80th minute, but it was stopped by Westberg.
There was also an offside controversy in the 33rd minute. It appeared that Yearwood scored the game-tying goal to level the game at 1-1. However, the goal was called offside as Yearwood was clearly offside.
Caden Clark the Hero for the New York Red Bulls
The teenager Caden Clark has now scored two goals in two games. The teenage wonder is making a name of himself. He is showing MLS why the Red Bulls have one of the best development systems in the league.
As a result, they snatched two points away from the Supporters’ Shield leaders. They are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference with 24 points.
Westberg was the player of the game for Toronto, making big saves. However, the player of the match was Caden Clark of the Red Bulls who scored a terrific goal. Westberg had no chance to make the save.
The @TCLMobileGlobal Man of the Match: Second goal, second Man of the Match… Caden Clark! pic.twitter.com/hjaE3lpw3x
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 15, 2020
Yes, Toronto’s five-game winning streak has ended. However, they still have an eight-game unbeaten streak, with six of those wins. Toronto is the current Supporters’ Shield leader with 38 points. The closest team to them is the Philadelphia Union at 35 points.
Toronto and the Red Bulls have only five games left in the 2020 MLS season. The Red Bulls will face Orlando City SC on Sunday before facing the Chicago Fire on Oct. 24.
This is while Toronto will face Atlanta United FC on Sunday. Then the big game against the Union will take place on Oct. 24 in Chester, Pennsylvania, at Subaru Park. That game could determine whether Toronto wins the Supporters’ Shield or not.
The Red Bulls and Toronto will meet each other again on Nov. 8 in Harrison, New Jersey, at Red Bull Arena. This will be the last regular-season game for both sides.
