TORONTO – Thierry Henry scored a sublime goal in the 88th minute to rescue a point for the New York Red Bulls in a 1-1 tie with Toronto FC at BMO Field.
Danny Koevermans had given Toronto the lead early in the second half with his seventh goal in nine league games as the Reds sought to avenge their 5-0 loss at Red Bull Arena on July 6. Toronto has undergone a major overhaul since and it was apparent in an even encounter on a chilly night in Canada.
The draw ended Toronto’s slim playoff hopes while New York is still in the hunt, entering the game occupying the final postseason position.
Koevermans, who played his first game with Toronto on July 20, scored in the 50th minute on a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area to give the Canadian side the lead. Toronto were put under constant pressure from New York after the opener. TFC’s center back Ty Harden was forced to make a clearance in front of his own goal shortly after Koevermans goal.
In the 63rd minute, TFC came close to increasing the lead when Peri Marosevic just failed to get his head to the ball after a great pass from Matt Stinson. Two minutes later the Red Bulls came close to equalizing when Luke Rodgers broke in on goal after taking Henry’s through ball. But under pressure from defender Andy Iro, Rodgers’ skied his effort over the bar.
Koevermans left the pitch with an apparent leg injury in the 70th minute and was replaced by former Red Bull Danleigh Borman. The Lively Dane Richards was looking for a penalty in the 80th minute when Iro brought him down but the referee waved New York’s appeal away.
A late appearance from Juan Agudelo sparked life into the Red Bulls who piled on the pressure and finally made a breakthrough. A late corner found Henry, who controlled the ball with the outside of his right foot then swiveled before drilling home a low shot. The Red Bulls captain showed his delight as New York kept themselves in the race to the MLS playoffs.
Scoring Summary:
TOR -- Danny Koevermans 7 (Ryan Johnson 4) 50
NY -- Thierry Henry 13 (Dax McCarty 5) 88
New York Red Bulls -- Frank Rost, Jan Gunnar Solli, Stephen Keel (Juan Agudelo 81), Tim Ream, Roy Miller, Dane Richards, Rafael Marquez (Dax McCarty 79), Teemu Tainio, Joel Lindpere, Luke Rodgers, Thierry Henry.
Substitutes Not Used: Matt Kassel, Brian Nielsen, Bouna Coundoul.
Toronto FC -- Milos Kocic, Matt Stinson, Ty Harden, Andy Iro, Ashtone Morgan, Terry Dunfield, Torsten Frings, Eric Avila, Peri Marosevic (Nick Soolsma 65), Danny Koevermans (Danleigh Borman 71), Ryan Johnson (Doneil Henry 84).
Substitutes Not Used: Julian de Guzman, Demitrius Omphroy, Joao Plata, Stefan Frei.
Misconduct Summary:
NY -- Stephen Keel (caution; Reckless Tackle) 78
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Referee's Assistants: George Gansner; Eric Boria
4th Official: Jose Carlos Rivero
Attendance: 20,132
Time of Game: 1:50
Weather: Clear-and-50-degrees
