Toronto FC Leave It Late

Written and Photographs by Steve Dormer

TORONTO – It took Toronto FC 85 minutes to turn on some heat at a very bitter BMO Field on Saturday afternoon when they got two thrilling late 2nd half goals from Justin Braun and Darrel Russell to tie the unbeaten FC Dallas 2-2.

TFC managed to keep their home unbeaten streak alive even after a lazy cold performance that showed very little attacking options. The cold freezing wind did little to get TFC warmed up but showed no effect on FC Dallas.

FC Dallas started the pressure early and kept it on throughout the game while dominating possession. Andrew Jacobson put the visitors in front in the 34th minute with a thundering blast into the top corner of the TFC net past a helpless Joe Bendik. Just minutes earlier, Jacobson hit the crossbar with another hammered shot. Blas Pérez scored for FC Dallas in the 59th minute of the 2nd- half with a well placed shot into the corner giving them what should of been a comfortable 2-0 lead and victory.

In the 2nd-half, Luis Silva substituted rookie Jonathan Osorio for some desperately needed offense but it failed to happen. The crowd, bundled up in blankets, TFC scarves, gloves and toques, was showing their displeasure with the performance of the team and the weather.

In the 85th minute TFC turned up the long anticipated heat and gave the fans something to warm up too, a strange mis-headed Matt Hedges clearance and Justin Braun goal in his first game of the season. The crowd were on their feat wanting more and should of been cheering a TFC penalty on Darren O’Dea as he was pulled down by FC Dallas defender Jacobson, the referee clearly turning a blind eye to the contact and foul.

TFC then got a wonder goal from Darrel Russell in the 90th minute that might be one of the highlights of the MLS season. Russell brought down a long cross and volleyed it off the far post and into the net from 21-yards past a helpless FC Dallas keeper Fernández. TFC players and the crowd erupted after the unlikely comeback against the Western Conference leaders.

Toronto FC next game is on Saturday as they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Union at 4pm ET.