So it happened again.
Twice, actually.
Toronto FC conceded a late equalizer and dropped valuable points against a team they had been beating for the majority of the game. Twice in one week, Toronto FC took a two-goal lead and blew it with shoddy defending, poor focus and a lack of control in the midfield.
On Wednesday night, against the Houston Dynamo, Toronto FC took a 3-1 lead courtesy of Danny Koevermans, and subsequently conceded twice, the last of which came in the 90th minute by Will Bruin. Then, on Saturday, Toronto FC played host to New England Revolution, went 2-0 up, and then threw it away when Chris Tierney, a leftback (!) scored in the 94th minute.
You can’t make this stuff up.
What should have been six points is now a measly two, and Toronto FC are left wondering…why us?
Well, the current crop of Toronto FC players can take solace (somehow!) in the fact that they are not the first squad that has suffered the pains of late dramatics going against them. Take a look at the history of goals scored against Toronto in the dying embers of the match, that cost them anywhere from a full three points to a valuable draw.
For the sake of keeping things short, only goals scored in the last 10 or so minutes of the match will be considered.
2012
Los Angeles Galaxy 2 - 2 Toronto FC
Landon Donovan scored after the 90th minute during the two sides’ Champions League encounter.
Real Salt Lake 3 - 2 Toronto FC
Jonny Steele knocked one home to give RSL the lead in the 93rd minute.
Houston Dynamo 3 - 3 Toronto FC
Will Bruin punished Toronto FC’s defense late into extra time.
New England Revolution 2 - 2 Toronto FC
A scuffle in the box on the 94 minute mark saw Chris Tierney score.
2011
Seattle Sounders 1 - 0 Toronto FC
Freddy Montero hit Toronto FC on the 90’ to steal the points for Seattle.
DC United 3 - 3 Toronto FC
Dwayne De Rosario punished his old club in the 88th minute.
San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Toronto FC
Chris Wondolowski found the back of the net in the 87th minute for San Jose.
New York Red Bulls 1 - 1 Toronto FC
Thierry Henry’s 88th minute wonder-goal split the points for New York.
2010
Philadelphia Union 2 - 1 Toronto FC
Sebastian Le Toux left it really late and scored in the 94th minute for Philly.
Columbus Crew 2 - 2 Toronto FC
Will Hesmer, a GOALKEEPER (!!!) scored in the 94th minute, punishing Toronto.
2009
FC Dallas 1 - 1 Toronto FC
Pablo Ricchetti scored at the 87’, tying the game for Dallas.
FC Dallas 3 - 2 Toronto FC
Dallas struck again, more painfully this time, with Kenny Cooper in the 84th minute.
DC United 3 - 3 Toronto FC
Both Jaime Moreno and Chris Pontius scored after 85 minutes, making things level.
Columbus Crew 3 - 2 Toronto FC
Jason Garey’s 93rd minute effort gave Columbus another Trillium Cup.
San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Toronto FC
Cornell Glen hit home in the 93’ and stole two points from TFC.
2008
Chicago Fire 2 - 1 Toronto FC
John Thorrington left it late but notched the win in the 92nd minute.
Real Salt Lake 2 - 1 Toronto FC
Robby Findley showed his skill and notched an 87th minute goal for RSL.
FC Dallas 2 - 0 Toronto FC
Kenny Cooper scored twice in the 81st minute and in extra time, killing off TFC.
New York Red Bulls 2 - 0 Toronto FC
Juan Pablo Angel scored in the 92nd minute, destroying Toronto FC’s positive pressure entirely.
Chivas USA 2 - 1 Toronto FC
On the 95th minute mark, Atiba Harris broke Toronto hearts with a goal.
FC Dallas 2 - 2 Toronto FC
Kenny Cooper doled out the punishment for Toronto FC well past the 93rd minute.
Vancouver 2 - 2 Toronto FC
In their Nutrilite Canadian Championship encounter, Eduardo Sebrango’s 86th minute heroics gave NASL side Vancouver a valuable point.
2007
Kansas City Wizards 1 - 0 Toronto FC
Eddie Johnson hit Toronto in the 81st minute and won the game for the Wizards.
Columbus Crew 2 - 1 Toronto FC
Jacob Thomas scored in the 83rd minute and took three points to the Crew locker room.
So, besides the fact that the Columbus Crew and Kenny Cooper love to kill Toronto FC off in the dying moments of the match, what do these results tell us?
Well, for one thing, it shows Toronto FC have always suffered from late game collapses, recording at least two games lost in every single season in this fashion.
It also shows a lack of defensive focus permeating over six years at the club, and, on top of that, a lack of defensive options! Toronto FC look like they have never really shored up their backline over the course of their existence and have always looked incomplete in the centerback position.
In any case, Toronto FC supporters have had about enough of the last-minute collapses, and any effort to see these games through must be addressed now. Otherwise, the last thing Toronto FC players see as the final whistle blows, is broken hearts and points lost.
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