Toronto FC threw away a two-goal and one-man advantage against D.C. United on Monday morning to succumb to a disappointing 2-2 draw. Here are three things we learned.
Toronto FC and D.C. United opened their MLS is Back campaigns on Monday morning after their scheduled game was postponed twice due to positive or inconclusive COVID-19 tests. The highly anticipated match featured a superb first-half performance by Toronto, taking a two-goal lead, and then a spirited fightback from ten-man D.C., scoring twice in the final ten minutes to snatch an unlikely point.
Here are three things we learned from the 2-2 draw.
3. Toronto FC the best team thus far
Many of the performances to date have looked a little rusty. That is not entirely surprising, given that players are competing in the sweltering Florida heat and have not played a competitive match in almost four months. But of those that have played thus far, Toronto FC have looked the most cohesive and frightening unit.
Alejandro Pozuelo was absolutely outstanding in the first half, providing two assists in a free-roaming number 10 role. Michael Bradley, playing in a more aggressive double-pivot position that allowed him to step up the midfield a little more than his usual defensive midfield role, was superb, too, spraying passes left and right and instigating a suffocating Toronto press.
And then there was Pablo Piatti, who made his debut after joining the team as their third Designated Player in the offseason. He looked extremely bright, linking up with Pozuelo especially well. Add in Jozy Altidore to lead the line and Toronto look like one of the very best teams in all of MLS. If they continue to play as they did in the first half, they will go far in MLS is Back.