NYCFC Extend Unbeaten Run with Draw Against Toronto FC

New York City FC came into Friday night's clash looking to make it three consecutive wins as they continued their push up the Eastern Conference standings.

The hosts were handed an early opportunity in the sixth minute when Agustín Ojeda was brought down inside the penalty area by Richie Laryea. The referee pointed straight to the spot and booked the Toronto right back for the challenge.

Nico Fernández made no mistake from 12 yards three minutes later, firing his penalty into the bottom right corner. Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gavran guessed the right way, but the strike had too much power as NYCFC took a 1-0 lead. It was Fernández's 13th goal of the season. The midfielder celebrated by holding up the shirt of injured teammate Arnau Farnos.

Talles Magno proved to be NYCFC's biggest attacking threat throughout the opening half, causing problems for the Toronto defence with his close control and quick feet in and around the penalty area. The Brazilian linked up well with Benie Traoré on the left as the hosts searched for a second goal.

Toronto found an equaliser six minutes into first half stoppage time. Thiago Martins misjudged a pass back, allowing Josh Sargent to pounce. His initial effort was blocked by James Sands before the loose ball fell to Dániel Sallói, whose powerful strike forced an excellent save from Matt Freese. The goalkeeper could only parry the ball into the path of Djordje Mihailovic, who reacted quickest to fire home from close range and send the teams into the break level at 1-1.

NYCFC started the second half on the front foot. Tayvon Gray delivered a superb cross to the back post that picked out Benie Traoré, but the winger could not keep his effort on target.

The hosts came inches away from restoring their lead in the 53rd minute following a frantic goalmouth scramble. Fernández's corner found Talles Magno, whose header towards the bottom corner was brilliantly pushed away by Gavran. The rebound fell to Andrés Perea on the byline and his effort clipped the post before bouncing kindly for Agustín Ojeda just inside the area. Ojeda's first time shot was scuffed back into the path of Magno, but the Brazilian was unable to direct his follow up effort on target. Toronto survived the chaos thanks in large part to Gavran's composure and a string of outstanding saves.

Matt Freese was called into action again in the 67th minute. The ball broke kindly for Dániel Sallói on the edge of the box and the winger looked to curl an effort into the bottom corner, but the USMNT goalkeeper produced another excellent full stretch save. Just two days after representing MLS in the All Star Game in Charlotte, there was little sign of fatigue from NYCFC's number one.

Fernández nearly produced a moment of magic two minutes later. The Argentine drove through the middle of the pitch with the Toronto defence backing off, before unleashing a powerful strike that flashed just wide of the top left corner. With chances coming at both ends, the match was finely poised.

Toronto thought they had completed the comeback in the 73rd minute with a well worked move. Less than a minute after coming off the bench, Derrick Etienne Jr. whipped a dangerous cross into the area that found Sallói, who calmly finished past Freese. However, celebrations were cut short as Etienne Jr. was ruled offside in the build up, much to the relief of the NYCFC supporters behind the goal.

NYCFC continued to push for a winner. In the 83rd minute, Andrés Perea burst forward on the counterattack and, with no passing option available, unleashed a powerful effort from the edge of the area. The strike had plenty behind it but was comfortably gathered by Gavran.

The match finished 1-1, the first draw between the two sides since August 2021.

Pascal Jansen's side extended their unbeaten run to three matches and now turn their attention to a Leagues Cup meeting with Santos Laguna next Thursday.

For Toronto FC, the result means they have drawn three of their last four matches and are now winless in five. They will look to return to winning ways when they host the New England Revolution next Saturday.