Toronto FC denied home spoils in messy draw with Atlanta

Toronto FC has yet to lose a game in five outings this season, but it couldn't land the final blow in Saturday's seesaw 2-2 draw against 10-man Atlanta United.

A late red card to Yamil Asad forced the exciting expansion franchise to play the final 15 minutes at BMO Field down a player, although the decision to send off the Argentinian was controversial. Asad appeared to raise his elbow close to Eriq Zavaleta's head, but contact was minimal.

It was one of several fiery images in a testy encounter between new Eastern Conference foes.

The visitor took the lead in the 15th minute when sensational Designated Player signing Miguel Almiron threaded a defence-splitting pass for Tito Villalba, whose hard but stoppable shot leaked through goalkeeper Alex Bono's gloves.

Bono, replacing injured starter Clint Irwin, was let off the hook five minutes later, when Sebastian Giovinco curled in his first goal of the season after Jozy Altidore produced a patient backheel pass for his Italian teammate.

Related - Watch: Giovinco gets 1st goal of 2017 after sweet Altidore flick-on

Toronto finally gained the lead toward the end of the opening half, with Justin Morrow poking in the go-ahead tally, but Atlanta responded early in the second stanza. Profiting once again from a long ball, Villalba brushed past meek defender Chris Mavinga and slotted a timely ball through Bono's legs.

"We're disappointed right now. At the end of the season we won't be thinking about this game too much, but we're disappointed right now," defender Drew Moor told TSN's Kristian Jack after the match.

Atlanta, meanwhile, continues to be one of the highest-scoring sides in MLS, ranking just behind the Portland Timbers with 13 goals thus far.