Toronto FC extends unbeaten run to four games. This is also the second win TFC has earned in four games with new head coach Javier Perez. It was not pretty and to be honest, TFC was the second-best team against the Chicago Fire FC. However, TFC saw what their offensive prowess potential was in this match.
Toronto FC extends unbeaten run thanks to goalkeeper Alex Bono
Three keys to the game
Toronto FC Yeferson Soteldo is a special player
Yeferson Soteldo is showing to MLS why he is a Designated Player. The way he dribbles past opposing players and creates chances for himself and his teammates was crucial to TFC’s win today.
2' What a start for #TFCLive! Yeferson Soteldo scores with a terrific shot early in the game! Tsubasa Endoh was credited with the assist. #TorontoFC#CHIvTOR | 0-1 | #MLSpic.twitter.com/VNYVPxzFql
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) July 25, 2021
This is a very good goal that Soteldo scored. The shot was perfectly positioned and beat Chicago Fire goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth. It shows the quality that Soteldo possesses. In the 39-minute Soteldo got a dangerous shot off that was saved by diving goalkeeper Shuttleworth. Then in the 47-minute, Soteldo had a great chance to score, but instead passed a ball that was intercepted. This was a mistake by Soteldo, but it showed the quality and threat he represents to the opposition.
76' #TFCLive doubles their lead. Great team passing from Toronto FC leads to a Nick DeLeon goal. #CHIvTOR | 0-2 | #MLSpic.twitter.com/mYq8Q42ZgD
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) July 25, 2021
The second goal shows that Soteldo can be a facilitator. Notice how he sets up the play in the video above. He makes a good pass to Patrick Mullins, who also passed it to Nick DeLeon. DeLeon deserves credit for taking advantage of the opportunity and scoring. It does though show the ability of Soteldo to set people up.
Alex Bono was spectacular against the Chicago Fire FC
Alex Bono made so many saves that not all of them can be mentioned in this article. He made 13 saves in the game and acted bravely at the right time to secure the win. His first save came in the 10-minute when Ignacio Aliseda’s shot was stopped by Bono. Then in the 11-minute, when Przemyslaw Frankowski’s header from the centre of the goal was saved by Bono. This was a start of a trend that became apparent in the first half and parts of the second half. Chicago dominated possession, shots, and shots on goal.
Have a first half, @Alex25Bono pic.twitter.com/lSc86TJdEa
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) July 25, 2021
Bono though made his biggest saves late in the second half. Robert Beric’s shot in the 35-minute was saved by a Bono. The most notable save though might have been the 43-minute. In this sequence, Aliseda and Bono collided. Aliseda as seen in the video was in the centre of the box, so the bravery Bono displayed was in full display.
In the second half, Bono would do more of the same. He showed again in the 55-minute, his ability to make the right decisions at the right time. A Fire player got past the TFC defence but Bono was there to collect the ball. It was not a save, but it was an important play made by Bono. Bono would make two saves from Chicago players at the centre of the box in the 65 and the 82-minute.
Chicago Fire FC missed a lot of opportunities to score
The Chicago Fire had several chances to score. However, they also missed the target a lot. This included shots or headers in the centre of the box. An example of this would be the eighth minute when Wyatt Omsberg missed the target. There is also Aliseda, whose left-footed shot was just a bit high.
The 29-minute might have been one of their best chances where Robert Beric had a perfect opportunity to score. His shot from very close range was off target. Then in the 67-minute, Przemyslaw Frankowski shot was too high.
77' #CFFC responds! Álvaro Medrán scores and the Chicago Fire FC are back in the game. #CHIvTOR | 1-2 | #MLSpic.twitter.com/NJO20Smc8v
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) July 25, 2021
They did get a goal in the 77-minute thanks to Álvaro Medrán. However, the goal was scored when Chicago was losing 0-2. They would be unable to get any closer in the game and lost 1-2. They had headers in the centre of the box though in the 83, 90 and 90+2-minute of play. Unfortunately, for Chicago, all three headers ended up missing the target. These missed opportunities to score displayed the type of day Chicago had at Soldier Field.
Toronto FC extends MLS unbeaten run to four games – Overview
A win's a win 😅
By The Numbers presented by @HusqvarnaCA#CHIvTOR | #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/yrIg6MMZNJ
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) July 25, 2021
Toronto FC took advantage of their opportunities. They only had three shots on goal and scored goals in two of those shots. They, unlike Chicago, took advantage of their opportunities.
There are some areas of concern though. Most notably was their defence. They gave up way too many chances corners and crosses. In fact, Toronto gave up 41 crosses and 13 corners. This is something Toronto will need to address as the season goes along. There is a bit of a template though with their defending against the New York Red Bulls, especially in the first half. It was not perfect though as there were some defensive mistakes in that game as well.
On the plus side though, TFC’s offence is lethal. It is actually good enough to maybe win an MLS Cup. Soteldo is a special player and Alejandro Pozuelo is the 2020 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player. Jozy Altidore did not have a great game against Chicago. To be fair though, he did play well in some of his previous games including the 1-1 draw against Orlando City SC.
With the win, Toronto increases their point total to 13 points. They are currently seven points behind New York City FC, which currently holds the last playoff spot. Similarly, Chicago is eight points behind NYCFC.
Toronto will not play another game until Sunday, August. 1. There, they will host Nashville SC at 7:30 p.m. ET at BMO Field. The game will be televised on TSN4 and TSN, it will also be shown on ESPN+. This is while Chicago will go on the road on August 1. They will face the Philadelphia Union at 6:00 p.m. ET at Subaru Park. The game will be shown on UniMas, TUDN, Twitter (English Audio), and TUDN 1200AM.
