By Rose Rago
A announced crowd of 22,591 fans filed into BMO field to witness TFC and Chicago Fire play to a 2-2 draw. Supporters can’t help but feel like their team didn’t earn one point, but rather dropped two.
Toronto controlled the majority of the possession (54% to Chicago’s 46%) but two former Reds helped the Chicago side claw back to draw level.
Gilberto gave the TFC faithful hopes of securing three points when he received Luke Moore’s pass in the 79’ minute. Moore controlled possession inside the TFC half to spring Gilberto who stepped around Chicago keeper Sean Johnson and made the easy tap in in the open net. That was his first goal at BMO Field this season.
Gilberto has scored four in last four appearances. The Brazilian seems to be coming into form in the second half of the season. He battles consistently, effectively use speed to beat out players, contributes on the defensive side, as well as create quality opportunities for his teammates.
He, along with Johnathan Osorio were named men of the match. Osorio distrusted the ball well, especially in the middle of the pitch, completing 36 of 42 attempts.
But Toronto’s lead was short lived due a ghost of TFC past Quincy Amarikwa . Amarikwa sent a cross from Lovel Palmer past a sprawling Joe Bendik to erase the 2-1 deficit the 90’. Coach Ryan Nelsen referred to the goal as, “Horrendous to tell you the truth."
TFC took an early 1-0 lead in the 3’ when Johnathan Osorio sent a crisp pass to Justin Morrow. Fire defender Bakary Soumare redirected Morrow’s cross in the six yard box over Johnson and in the net.
Toronto held the 1-0 lead until the 70’ when former TFC Striker Robert Earnshaw headed in Grant Ward’s cross deep in the area for the equilzer.
The Welsh international was signed by Chicago on August 15th. “I’m hoping [to play a part].” the Earnshaw said prior to the match. “I never got a chance to say goodbye and thank you [to Toronto] so it will be a ‘Welcome, Chicago’ and also ‘Goodbye, Toronto’ at the same time. That’s going to be nice.”
Safe to say a goal four minutes in after coming off the bench for his Chicago Fire debut must have felt nice.
The buzz surrounding Toronto prior to kick off was the return of a trio of injured soldiers; Jermain Defoe, Mark Bloom, and Steven Caldwell.
Defoe seemed to show no ill effects of being sidelined since July 30th however the same could not be said for Caldwell. The Captain was subbed off in only the 22’ after aggravating the quad injury that kept him off the pitch for the past seven matches.
He was swapped out for Henry as a precautionary measure.
A later decision had some TFC supporters confused when Jackson was subbed for an injured Justin Morrow. Many wondered why perhaps Ashton Morgan was not dressed as he would have been a suitable replacement or why Bradley Orr wasn’t used. Nelsen was confident with his decision to sub Jackson in Morrow's place. “We wanted to put Jackson in there. He’s been pretty good out there.” The head coach said post game “Some of his tackling was very good. I thought he was brilliant and no fault on any of the goals.”
Morrow says he will have a scan on Monday but does not believe it to be serious.
TFC has yet to defeat the Fire since a 4-1 victory on May 8th 2010 – a winless streak that has extended to ten matches.
The Chicago Fire lead the league in tied games with 14 after Saturday’ 2-2 draw and drop to eighth in the Eastern Conference. Toronto maintain third, nine points back of leaders Sporting Kansas City.
During half time MLSE president and CEO Tim Leiweke was on hand to oversee the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge he issued to the Red Patch Boys. They have called out Chicago Fire supporters “Section 8” to complete the Challenge as well…you have 24 hours Chicago.
Toronto’s next match is August 30th when they host the New England Revolution.