Even though the game was without some the international firepower of Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Mix Diskerud, and Frank Lampard, it wasn’t missing any excitement. Toronto FC went into the match with a record of 7-7-2 with 23 points and took on New York City FC, who had a 5-8-5 record with 20 points at Yankee Stadium.
The match was slow-paced and quiet to start as the two clubs were looking for a break. The first goal would be conceded rather quickly as David Villa scored on a free kick attempt 17th minute to put NYCFC up 1-0. Almost immediately following the Villa goal, Toronto was awarded a penalty shot in the 19th minute to only see the ball hit the post, the first of four penalties to be given in the match which set a league-record. Shortly after Toronto’s penalty miss NYCFC was awarded a penalty shot in the 29th minute, Villa missed the shot, but New York forward Patrick Mullins took a rebound shot that deflected as an own goal off Damien Perquis of Toronto to give the home side a 2-0 lead.
The back and forth affair would continue as just five minutes after NYCFC gave themselves a cushioned lead, they conceded a penalty shot goal to Toronto forward Sebastian Giovinco who would go on to score a hat trick in the match. Six minutes after his first goal, Giovinco scored a 40th minute goal to tie the game at 2-2, and just before the half at the 43rd minute, a poor NYCFC turnover left Giovinco wide open to score Toronto’s 3rd goal of the half, and take the lead.
After a roller coaster of a first half, the final 45 minutes of the game were just as turbulent. Things were moving a bit slow until the 65th minute when Villa was fouled in the box by Toronto keeper Chris Konopka and drew yet another penalty. The Spanish striker did not miss this time, scoring his second goal of the game and tenth of the season as he evened the score at 3-3.
As the minutes were winding down and both teams looking for a game-wining goal to break the deadlock, Toronto struck first from an 82nd minute goal off the foot of Marco Delgado assisted by Giovinco as he took on two New York defenders to create the goal. Toronto did not have much time to celebrate or gather their defense, just two minutes after in the 84th minute New York striker Patrick Mullins was in the midst of action again as New York tied the game once more at four goals apiece. For the final six minutes of the match plus three of stoppage time neither team scored as the match finished 4-4 with both clubs taking a hard-earned point from the game.
New York City FC and Toronto FC both look to keep the same high-octane attack in the future, but with a much tighter defense. New York’s next match is July 18th at the New England Revolution and on the same date Toronto plays their next match at home against the Philadelphia Union. Toronto jumped up to 3rd in the Eastern Conference standings as New York City FC remained still in ninth place, but with only three points separating the two clubs.
