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New York City FC Vs Toronto FC: Winners and losers – Michael Bradley shows his class

By Chris Smith

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Alejandro Pozuelo #10 of Toronto FC fights for the ball against Tony Rocha #15 of New York City FC during the first half of their game at Yankee Stadium on September 11, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 11: Alejandro Pozuelo #10 of Toronto FC fights for the ball against Tony Rocha #15 of New York City FC during the first half of their game at Yankee Stadium on September 11, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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New York City FC, Toronto FC, Alejandro Pozuelo
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11: Alejandro Pozuelo #10 of Toronto FC fights for the ball against Tony Rocha #15 of New York City FC during the first half of their game at Yankee Stadium on September 11, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

On Wednesday night, Eastern rivals New York City FC and Toronto FC played out a tight 1-1 draw. Here are the winners and loser from the contest.

Toronto FC battled from a goal down to take a valuable point away at Eastern Conference leaders New York City FC on Wednesday night. The Canadian side got off to the worst possible start when an Alexandru Mitriță thunderbolt put the hosts 1-0 ahead after just six minutes.

However, Toronto hit back thanks to an Alejandro Pozuelo penalty, although the Spaniard missed a further spot-kick and a number of other good chances as the visitors took control of the game. Still, it was a well-earned point for Greg Vanney’s side, who are now firmly entrenched in the playoff spots.

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So, who were the big winners and losers from an intriguing clash in New York?

BRONX, NY – MARCH 10: Alexandru Mitrita #28 of New York City walks off the pitch after the 2019 Major League Soccer Home Opener match between New York City FC and DC United at Yankee Stadium on March 10, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York. The match ended in a tie with a score of 0 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
BRONX, NY – MARCH 10: Alexandru Mitrita #28 of New York City walks off the pitch after the 2019 Major League Soccer Home Opener match between New York City FC and DC United at Yankee Stadium on March 10, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York. The match ended in a tie with a score of 0 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Winner – Alexandru Mitriță

‘Hot and cold’ is probably a fair description of Alexandru Mitriță’s debut season at New York City FC so far, with goals coming in fits and starts with equally frustrating moments coming just around the corner.

But on Wednesday, the Romanian was excellent. Mitriță opened the scoring after just six minutes with a hell of a free-kick, slamming the ball into the top-left corner of Quentin Westberg’s goal from just outside the area. To beat the wall from that angle takes some skill, but Mitriță made it look so easy.

https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1171926842464292864?s=19

The 24-year-old continued to probe for openings and remained NYCFC’s biggest threat throughout the game, completing the joint-highest number of dribbles, four, and having more shots, four, than any other player for Dome Torrent’s side. His direct approach and pace helped him isolate Toronto defenders and kept his side looking threatening even as the pendulum swung in the Canadian side’s favour.

With the playoffs quickly approaching, this is the sort of form NYCFC need from Mitriță if their MLS Cup bid is to be a serious one.

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