Toronto FC Vs New England Revolution: 3 things we learned – Points shared

2. Ayo Akinola kept quiet

Fresh off a hat-trick against the Montreal Impact, 20-year-old Ayo Akinola was riding a huge wave of confidence entering Monday’s match against the New England Revolution. Jozy Altidore returned to the Toronto FC bench, and will surely be the long-term starter, but for now, the striker position is Akinola’s job to lose.

More from MLS Multiplex

• Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
• Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
• USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
• De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
• Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States

The young American had the best chances to score in the match bar Buksa’s short-range miss. Almost every single time, however, he was stopped by Matt Turner. The Revs defense was resolute and did enough to limit the space with which Akinola could work. Center-backs Andrew Farrell and Henry Kessler did a good job of being physical and putting off Akinola when he did get a chance to shoot.

The quality and frequency of Akinola’s chances will be concerning to the Revs. He missed two one-on-ones and fired another shot wide from inside the penalty box. But ultimately, they did enough to contain one of the hottest center-forwards in all of MLS.

Turner will gain Man of the Match plaudits for his saves, while Akinola cut a frustrated figure having not added to his goal tally. Ultimately, that is a collective win for the New England defense.