The match in 100 words (or less): New York Red Bulls have the steel and experience to trouble most teams in MLS, and weren’t rattled when Victor Vazquez helped the visiting Reds to a 1-0 lead. An unfortunate but very legit penalty against Drew Moor sent the defender to the sidelines injured and RBNY to halftime level. The Red Bulls very much had the run of play until Felipe fouled Sebastian Giovinco about 25 yards away from goal. At this point, we can just leave that sentence there and know you know the score went to 2-1. The Supporters’ Shield winners now have two away goals heading back to Toronto for the second leg.
The moments that mattered
8' -- Vazquez gets the favorites an away goal -- Clumsy defending from the Red Bulls allowed Jozy Altidore to the right flank, and the American striker walked around Damien Perrinelle before crossing into the six. Red Bulls backstop Luis Robles parried it back into the 18, and Victor Vazquez had ages to line up his shot. He did not mess up.
Started by Jozy. Finished by Vazquez. #NYvTOR // @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/cqbwvdT0fw
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 30, 2017
Sacha Kljestan had a chance at the other end, but Toronto resumed control. Marky Delgado headed a shot off the cross bar in the 36th minute.
45+1' -- BWP goes down under Moor challenge -- Wright-Phillips took the ball off Delgado on the edge of the 18, and then hit the deck when he caught Drew Moor off guard with a short touch. Daniel Royer stepped up and cruised his effort down the middle.
All game long’ -- Bono stands up to the task at hand -- The penalty, halftime break, and injuries to Drew Moor and Victor Vazquez, seemed to shake up TFC. Fortunately for the Reds, goalkeeper Alex Bono was up for the call.
Standing tall! @Alex25Bono#TFCLive | #NYvTOR | 1-1 pic.twitter.com/KGwgVSMI3u
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) October 31, 2017
74' - Giovinco free kick -- Some time this summer, our own Andy Edwards and I had a discussion about how Giovinco free kicks from a certain area are either free throws or penalty kicks. Either way, boom.
Seba. Free kick. 💰#NYvTOR // @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs https://t.co/VELsGxQfUb
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 31, 2017
Man of the Match: Plenty had arguments, including Vazquez, Giovinco, Wright-Phillips, and Bono. We’ll go with the free kick man, and let this stat be our tiebreaker.
14 free-kick goals for Seba since 2015 (incl. playoffs). Only two players have more than 2 in that time span. #NYvTOR #MLSCupPlayoffs
— Ben Baer (@BenBaer89) October 31, 2017