Salloi’s late marker helps Toronto FC earn draw with New York City FC

Toronto FC battled back with a late second-half goal and salvaged a point as they played New York City FC to a 1-1 draw on Saturday at BMO Field.

The draw stretched Toronto’s unbeaten run to five, with the Major League Soccer team not having lost since July 25th. The Reds have two wins and three draws in that stretch as they try to climb the Eastern Conference standings.

Daniel Salloi came off the bench to score his team-leading sixth goal of the season in the 70th minute. The Hungarian striker was able to convert a pass from winger Theo Corbeanu, who drove much of the Toronto offence in the match, and beat goalkeeper Matt Freese to the ball before depositing it in the lower left corner.

Nicolas Fernandez scored the lone goal for NYCFC in the 29th minute. The star Argentine stepped into a shot from well outside the penalty area and delivered a perfectly placed low strike beyond the reach of Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gavran.

It was Fernandez’s 14th goal of the season, moving him into third place in the MLS Golden Boot race.

Both teams had other strong scoring opportunities, but weren’t able to connect on them. Toronto winger Derrick Etienne Jr. barely missed a pass directly in front of the net that would’ve been a sure goal. Toronto also won a free kick from a dangerous position at the beginning of stoppage time, but Djordje Mihailovic put it over the top of the net.

Meanwhile, New York midfielder Andres Perea found himself wide open in the penalty area in the 51st minute, but was unable to cleanly volley the aerial pass and sent his shot just wide.