TORONTO, ON – Kyle Smith scored the game-winning goal as Orlando got three big points in the second half. As a result, Orlando remains near the top of the Eastern Conference.
Kyle Smith scores game-winning goal as TFC loses second straight at BMO Field
Three keys to the game
https://twitter.com/LastWordSC/status/1525585906429747204
First half
Facundo Torres shot missed to the right in the fifth minute of play for Toronto FC. TFC started the game better than in their previous games so far. TFC”s Luca Petrasso, passed the ball to Lucas MacNaughton, but he was stopped by Orlando City SC’s César Araújo. Junior Rosso overran the ball, but Carlos Salcedo defended the ball in the 12-minute. Jordan Perruzza’s shot was blocked. Orlando had a chance but did not take advantage in the 16-minute.
Kosi Thompson had a chance but did not connect the pass to anyone. Luca Petrasso’s shot in the 19-minute was blocked. Jesus Jimenez got a pass from Perruzza. However, Jimenez’s shot was easily stopped by the Orlando City SC goalkeeper. Junior Rosso almost scored in the 27-minute, as Ruan found him. Excellent defence from Kosi Thompson, but that should have gone into the back of the net. Torres came up with a terrific cross in the 31-minute.
39’ A great save by #TFCLive goalkeeper, Alex Bono, to keep the game tied. #TorontoFC#TORvORL | 0-0 | #MLSpic.twitter.com/nJ1KCsLiks
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) May 14, 2022
Alex Bono made a terrific save in the 39-minute to keep the game tied. Then, a positive play in the 45-minute, allowed Michael Bradley to give a great pass to Kosi Thompson, which created a corner for TFC.
Second half
Ayo Akinola’s shot in the 60-minute missed the target, but it was positive play as he got past Orlando’s defence. Deandre Kerr’s shot missed the target but should have been awarded a corner. Jimenez was the one who passed the ball to Kerr. Júnior Urso then almost scored in the 78-minute with a terrific long-range attempt. Akinola’s shot in the 81-minute deflected off-target.
90+2’ #DaleMiAmor scores as Kyle Smith heads the ball into the top right corner! Alexandre Pato was credited with the assist as he crossed the ball following the corner. #OrlandoCitySC#TORvORL | 0-1 | #MLSpic.twitter.com/QKSrFEyk7O
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) May 14, 2022
The game looked like it was heading into a 0-0 draw at BMO Field. However, a late goal by Orlando’s Kyle Smith meant that Orlando collected all three points on the road. Big credit should also be given to Alexandre Pato, who delivered a terrific cross to Smith. This was a big win for the Lions, who are now second in the Eastern Conference.
Game Summary:
Alex Bono says that TFC's inability to keep a clean sheet has been weighing on him a lot.
"It keeps me up at night. It really weighs on me that we give up goals the way we do sometimes…I live on shutouts so the fact that we haven't had one in a while is slowly killing me."
— Michael Singh (@MichaelSingh94) May 14, 2022
It was another heartbreaking loss for Toronto FC as they gave up another late goal. They have now lost five-straight games, including two at home in BMO Field. What is more alarming, despite a promising start, is that TFC was outshot by Orlando City SC at home.
As a result, TFC is well-out of a playoff spot. This is while Orlando has rebounded well after losing to CF Montréal 4-1 on Saturday, May. 7. They eliminated the Philadelphia Union on May 10 at Exploria Stadium from the U.S. Open. They then travelled to Canada and won 1-0 at BMO Field against Toronto.
Toronto FC will travel for two games late in May. The first game against DC United at Audi Field will take place at 4:00 p.m. ET next Saturday. They will then, for the first time ever, travel to the Maritimes and Atlantic Canada, where they will face the HFX Wanderers FC on May 24 at 6:00 p.m. ET. This is while Orlando will continue playing on the road in Austin at the Q2 Arena. The game will be played on Sunday, May 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET. They will then host Inter Miami CF on May 25 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Three takeaways from the game as Kyle Smith scored the game-winning goal:
Leaving Toronto with all three points 😤 @RealKyleSmith24 | #DaleMiAmor pic.twitter.com/lp5dsrYiXp
— x – Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) May 14, 2022
Toronto FC loses five-straight games and two straight at BMO Field. It has not been good lately for the Reds, even though they were a bit unlucky against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. There is still time to make the MLS Cup Playoffs, but they do need to earn points soon.
Injuries have been an issue for Toronto FC. Toronto FC has had several injuries throughout the course of the season. However, they may have lost their best player, a 2019 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player award winner, Alejandro Pozuelo, who was injured, and as a result, did not play today.
Kyle Smith’s second-ever MLS goal results in an Orlando City SC win. A special moment for Smith, a defender, who does not score many goals.
