Salloi Sparks Tfc, Toronto FC Draw 1-1 With San Jose
tfc came away with a 1-1 draw against the MLS-leading San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday afternoon at BMO Field, with Daniel Salloi scoring in the second minute and Reid Roberts clearing a late go-ahead chance off the line in the 86th minute. Toronto FC did it while missing several key starters to injuries, and the point left the club at 3-3-5.
Daniel Salloi Opens Early
Toronto FC struck two minutes into the match when Salloi fired a shot into the far corner from the left side of the box. Jonathan Osorio set up the goal, and Markus Cimermancic recorded his first assist for Toronto FC on the play.
San Jose answered in the 14th minute. Preston Judd redirected a free kick from Niko Tsakiris into the goal to level the match, and the visitors stayed organized from there after entering with a 9-1-1 record and only one loss in 10 games.
BMO Field Stays Level
The numbers stayed close across the afternoon. Toronto held 51 per cent possession to San Jose’s 49 per cent, finished with 12 shots to nine, and had two shots on target while San Jose put four on frame.
Toronto also had moments to take more from the match. In first-half added time, Luka Gavran made a save to keep the score tied, and in the 36th minute Jonathan Osorio was clipped by Ronaldo Vieira, who drew a yellow card.
Fraser Sees Character
After the match, Robin Fraser called the performance “Character” and said, “This team has, for a while now, been a group that you can always rely on to fight. And always they’re going to put in a really good shift.” He added, “When we play with that sort of urgency, and that sort of effort, we’re difficult to play against.”
Fraser also said, “I was really proud of the manner in which we approached the game and the manner in which we played. It was efficient, it was pragmatic and out of that we were able to create some good chances.”
The late scramble carried the sharpest edge. Roberts kept Toronto from stealing the result in the 86th minute, and Fraser said, “I haven’t looked yet.” He added, “The coaches were like, ‘Hey, do you want to see it?’ And I’m like, ‘no’, because I don’t want to lose my crap over it.”
With Josh Sargent, Djordje Mihailovic, Richie Laryea, Matheus Pereira, and Nicksoen Gomis all out because of injuries, Toronto had to grind for every chance against the league leaders. Salloi’s early finish and the back-line work that followed gave the club a draw it could take, even if the closing minutes left one more opening at the result.
