TFC survives late Red Bulls onslaught to reach conference final
A chaotic match at BMO Field in which Jozy Altidore and Sacha Kljestan were sent off ended in favour of the New York Red Bulls, but Toronto FC still managed to reach Eastern Conference on the away goals rule.
Bradley Wright-Phillips threatened to ruin TFC's record-breaking season with a crucial goal in the second half. Despite the whirlwind of emotions - fueled in part by referee Chris Penso's questionable calls - the hometown Reds rode out the rest of Sunday's lawless match to advance 2-2 on aggregate.
TFC may have made it through the storm - but at a significant cost. Both Sebastian Giovinco and Altidore will miss the first leg of the Eastern showpiece after drawing yellow cards in consecutive matches. The Italian was booked late on for dissent.
Related: Altidore, Giovinco suspended for conference final 1st leg
The madness began when Altidore and Kljestan were booked for jawing at each other in the opening stanza. The two were then sent to the showers early after a half-time scuffle in the tunnel.
Suddenly energized by the incidents, Jesse Marsch's side found a fortunate way back into the tie when Wright-Phillips deflected teammate Daniel Royer's long-range strike past a helpless Alex Bono.
Without its main target man, TFC had problems generating any kind of offence. Greg Vanney's side registered just one shot on target - its lowest return since April 2016.
What was of more importance was stopping the Red Bulls from scoring one more time. And TFC goalkeeper Bono, who replaced Clint Irwin as the No. 1 earlier in the year, answered the call. Making a sliding stop on Wright-Phillips in the 62nd minute to keep the Red Bulls from taking the aggregate lead, Bono emerged as a hero.
Substitute Jonathan Osorio appeared to provide some much-needed breathing room for the home side, only for the offside flag to go up. The call stood despite clear evidence that Osorio was indeed onside.
(Courtesy: Action Images)
Giovinco was on the receiving end of several fouls, compounding the player's frustration before his eventual booking, but Penso decided to play on until the manic evening came to an end.
TFC will face the Columbus Crew in the conference final, with the first leg scheduled for Nov. 21 and the reverse fixture pencilled in for Nov. 29.