Toronto FC’s season was hanging on by the thinnest of threads when they made the trip south to take on the Red Bulls. Unlike New York who beat the Dynamo last Saturday to put themselves comfortably into a playoff spot, Toronto fell to Houston 1-0 on Wednesday night to squander a golden opportunity to move into a playoff spot. The Red Bulls came into the match sitting in fourth place, one point up on Columbus, and four up on Toronto.
The visitors got off to a good start in New York, controlling large spells of possession, and looking like a team fighting for their playoff lives. It was evident right away that Greg Vanney’s side planned on trying to find Jermain Defoe all night long, and they managed to get the ball to him on more than one occasion early on. However, they were unable to generate any real scoring opportunities and in the 27th minute, Major League Soccer’s top goalscorer. made it 1-0 New York.
Bradley Wright-Phillips scored his league leading 25th goal of the season, to put him just two away from the all time single season record for most goals scored. Kosuke Kimura provided the ball for Wright-Phillips to slot past Joe Bendik, and get the crowd at Red Bull Arena off their seats.
Despite not having Tim Cahill in the lineup because of a suspension, the New York back four did well to contain Defoe throughout the match, as the Englishman often looked isolated in attack, and became more than frustrated with the service he was being provided. The fact that Michael Bradley looked more like a fifth defender than he did a midfielder at times, dropping back deep into his own end to retrieve the ball didn’t help the situation either.
Things only got worse for Toronto as the half wore on with Ruben Bover doubling the home side’s lead in the 36rh minute. Steven Caldwell could not clear the ball, and Bover made him pay as he slid it past Bendik to give the Red Bulls a 2-0 lead.
The torment wouldn’t end there though, as Dax McCarty made it 3-0 in the 45th minute, causing Toronto FC fans to have flashbacks of 2009. Toronto FC only needed a draw against the league’s worst team that year to earn an MLS playoff spot, but they were embarrassed 5-0 by New York in their final game at Giants Stadium.
Desperate to get back into the game, Vanney elected to make several changes in personnel and tactical setup in the second half. Gilberto and Dominic Oduro came on for Kyle Bekker and Jackson, as the team tried everything to score their first goal in over 220 minutes of play.
The visitors’ prayers were answered when Jonathon Osorio tapped in Justin Morrow’s pass, to put the Reds on the board. Despite still being down 3-1, the Reds at least had a lifeline and belief that they could still possibly comeback. However, that dream was short lived as they couldn’t find another, and rookie defender, Nick Hagglund, was sent off the pitch in the 87th minute.
There were some shaky moments at the back for the Red Bulls, but they managed to hold on and earn all three points. It was the Red Bulls second consecutive win at home, and continue to lead Columbus for 4th spot in the East.
It went from bad to worse for Toronto FC on Saturday night, as their loss in New York was coupled by a phenomenal comeback by the Columbus Crew in Philadelphia. The Crew were down 2-0 on the road when they scored three goals in five minutes to all but eliminate Toronto FC from the postseason. The Reds have never made the MLS playoffs, and it looks as though the organization and its fans will have to wait at least another year before they see their team playing in November.
New York has never missed the playoffs since signing Thierry Henry, and that likely won’t change this year as they sit in 4th place, seven points up on 6th placed Toronto, who have no chance of catching them. Houston is the only team that can still cause them to miss the playoffs, although anything but a win for the Dynamo against D.C. United on Sunday will end that possibility as well. The Red Bulls will take on Columbus next week in a game that could determine who hosts the opening round knockout match that will take place between the two teams.
Starting Lineups
New York Red Bulls: Robles, Eckersley, Olave, Sekagaya, Kimura, McCarty, Alexander, Sam, Henry, Bover, Wright-Phillips
Toronto FC: Bendik, Creavalle, Hagglund, Caldwell, Morrow, Jackson, Bekker, Bradley, Osorio, Defoe, Moore