A frustrating draw for both teams was the final result on Wednesday night which saw Toronto FC and Orlando City SC go head-to-head in Major League Soccer.
The pre-match predictions had Toronto picking up a big win against a fragile Orlando back line but that was not the case as Toronto could not find the final pass in the first half, and in the second half, being reduced to ten men made the task of picking up three points even harder for the home side.
Good buildups lead to nothing for both teams
A first half that saw some good attacking play did not yield any goals for either team as no one seemed to be able to get a good enough strike at goal.
Toronto started off very well, pressuring the ball high up the field and using their pace to transition quickly against an Orlando side that has conceded 57 goals so far this season. Interestingly enough, due to the lack of clear-cut opportunities coming Toronto's way, the first real chance of the game fell to Orlando in the eleventh minute. Break Shea managed to skip past his marker before sending in a cross that was deflected into Cyle Larin's path. The in-form striker directed the ball on target but Toronto's goalkeeper Alex Bono got down sharply to turn the ball away from goal.
Both teams continued to push forward and players like Kaká, Marco Delgado, and Drew Moor all had their chances to give their respective side the lead but they could not get any accuracy on their shots. The best chance of teh half for Toronto fell to Tosaint Ricketts after he beat the offside trap inside the box to get onto the end of Jonathan Osorio's through ball. Goalkeeper Joe Bendik came out quickly to shut down the angle and managed to smother the ball well. Toronto then recycled the ball and the attack ended when Jozy Altidore brought down the ball in the box but slipped at the vital moment, allowing Bendik to collect his effort easily.
Toronto stands firm after Ricketts red card
The second half saw even fewer chances on goal as Orlando readjusted their defensive shape and cut down the spaces they had afforded Toronto's midfield in the first half. Orlando's attack, however, was still sputtering so it made for very few opportunities by either team in front of the goal.
In the 50th minute, Michael Bradley, who had a strong game in midfield, lofted the ball to Altidore who then cut it back for Osorio. Osorio mistimed his header completely and ended up lifting it over the crossbar when it was easier to score. Fifteen minutes later and Toronto had another opportunity to take the lead. Bradley found Justin Morrow out wide and the left back did well to find Delgado who had made a late run into the box. Delgado struck the ball well on the first time volley but it was within reach for Bendik and he parried it away for a corner.
Ricketts then picked up his second yellow card and thus a red card in the 69th minute after he caught José Aja with his boot while attempting an overhead kick. It was a harsh red card and Toronto could feel aggrieved at the decision. The red card allowed Orlando to take over possession in the match but the away side did not seem to increase their tempo to exploit the now ten-man team. In fact, the best chance they created after Ricketts was sent off was in the 73rd minute when Kaká dropped a shoulder and made his way into the box. The Brazilian then bizarrely ended up shooting right at Bono and the chance was wasted.
The last chance of the game fell to Toronto in stoppage time. Altidore found substitute Daniel Lovitz from an Orlando corner and the midfielder tried to find Benoit Cheyrou at the far post. Luke Boden failed to clear the cross and it fell invitingly to Will Johnson who drilled his effort just wide of the post. Bendik stood frozen and could only watch as the ball sailed just past his near post.
Postseason aspirations
A draw was not what either team would have wanted at the start of this game but after going down to ten men, Toronto FC head coach Greg Vanney will be pleased with his team's response to the red card and the eventual draw. The point puts Toronto in sole possession of first in the Eastern conference for now and puts them one point closer to FC Dallas in the race for the MLS Supporters' Shield. Orlando will not be as happy with the draw. The result pushes them further back from a playoff spot and means that they still only have managed two away wins all season. It is now an uphill climb for the Florida-based team to find a way into the postseason.