New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC shared points in a 1-1 draw. After a strong first half, New York got the lead through Patryk Klimala’s third goal of the season. Minutes later, Ralph Priso leveled the score for Toronto. The one-one draw keeps both teams’ unbeaten runs alive.
Team News
New York name the same starting eleven that didn’t play against Inter Miami which was postponed. Caden Clark is the x-factor off the bench. Fabio and Patryk Klimala lead the line.
Toronto also make no changes to the team that drew 1-1 against Orlando. Jozy Altidore remains on the bench.
Red Bulls lineup (4-4-2 diamond): Carlos Coronel; John Tolkin, Amro Tarek, Tom Edwards, Kyle Duncan; (C) Sean Davis, Frankie Amaya, Dru Yearwood, Wikelman Carmona; Fabio, Patryk Klimala
Toronto lineup (4-2-3-1): Alex Bono; Justin Morrow, Chris Mavinga, Omar Gonzalez, Auro; (C) Michael Bradley, Marky Delgado; Tsubasa Endoh, Alejandro Pozuelo, Yeferson Soteldo; Dom Dwyer
First Half: Strong 45 minutes for New York but remains scoreless
Carmona was fed in by a great Duncan pass, but was in two minds and ultimately didn’t shoot with Bono bearing down on him.
Soteldo tried his luck from long range but nothing doing. Carmona again found himself with a chance to shoot but Auro made a great recovery run to deny him. Auro had a knock afterwards and couldn’t continued, replaced by Ralph Priso.
The rest of the first half was all New York, they did everything but score. They found pockets of space and pressed effectively. Toronto were not sharp in the opening half, without a shot on target. Thus far, it’s one-way traffic.
Second Half: Klimala scores for New York, Priso for Toronto in 1-1 draw
New York scored just forty-five seconds into the restart. A beautiful long-ball by Tom Edwards found the feet of Fabio. The Brazilian tried to chip the keeper but Bono parried it as far as Klimala. The Polish international scored on the follow up for his third goal of the season.
What a way to start the second half! 👀
Klimala gives @NewYorkRedBulls the lead! #TORvRBNY pic.twitter.com/HoUJRLey7C
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2021
Klimala nearly doubled his tally but his effort was blocked. Big changes came for both sides. Jozy Altidore came on for Dwyer and Caden Clark entered for Carmona.
Toronto equalized through the substitute Priso. Soteldo sent a cross into the box that was palmed away onto the path of Priso who hit it without thinking twice to level the score. Tempers flared later on with an incident after the whistle and multiple players shoving. Edwards and Pozuelo received yellow cards.
Priso with his first MLS goal for the equalizer! 🔥
This one's level at 1-1. #TORvRBNY pic.twitter.com/mw7GY4GaE4
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2021
Omir Fernandez came on for Frankie Amaya. Tom Barlow entered the match for Yearwood who was writhing in pain with shoulder pain. A last chance header by Altidore went over and the game was over.
Last Words on Toronto FC vs New York Red Bulls
Both teams can be pleased with the draw. New York got on the front foot in the opening 45 minutes and asserted themselves blitzing their opponents to score in the opening minute of the second half. Klimala scoring is a welcome sight, and the backline was strong throughout. However, what wasn’t a welcome sight was not seeing Cristian Casseres Jr, not even a second. The Venezuelan could’ve been a great boost off the bench to bring steel and help kickstart attacks. Carlos Coronel didn’t have much to do and Caden Clark is back. New York are now unbeaten in their last four games, but face the big one this weekend against DC United.
As for Toronto, Javier Perez is steadying the ship and are now unbeaten in three games. Jozy Altidore may have more of a say starting over Dom Dwyer who was largely ineffective. Soteldo is still working his way up to MLS standards and can still deliver the goods. Alejandro Pozuelo had a quiet game, but going forward, it’ll be difficult to see who scores the majority of the goals with Ayo Akinola out due to injury.
