• Orlando City 1 (Higuita 73’), Toronto FC 2 (Chapman 63’, Telfer 87’)
• Telfer scores 1st MLS goal to rescue MLS Cup champs
• TFC coach Greg Vanney: “We gutted out a win”
TORONTO – The MLS Cup champs finally picked up the shovel and began to dig out of the hole they dug for themselves to begin the MLS season.
Canadian youngster Ryan Telfer was the hero on Friday night, scoring in the 87th minute to lift Toronto FC to a much-needed 2-1 win over Orlando City before an announced crowd of 28,009 at BMO Field.
With time winding down, Brazilian defender Auro Jr. gave Orlando’s Mohamed El-Munir the slip along the end-line and delivered a cross into the box, teeing up Telfer who hit a sweet volley that goalkeeper Joe Bendik couldn’t stop.
The funny thing is, Telfer, 24, likely wouldn’t have started Friday had fellow Canadian Ashtone Morgan not been dealing with a minor hamstring issue. But the mild-mannered Telfer made the most of his opportunity in his fifth MLS appearance, and first start at home.
Instead of wildly celebrating his first MLS goal, Telfer simply stood still and calmly raised his hand as his teammates mobbed him. Although a rookie, he already has the wisdom of a seasoned veteran.
“Knowing what has happened before in previous matches, you can’t celebrate until that final whistle has blown,” Telfer said
Beyond scoring the winner, Telfer put in a man-of-the-match performance, earning glowing praise from coach Greg Vanney for the way he continuously worked himself into dangerous positions, and giving the team “an honest day’s work” on the defensive end.
“He did exactly what we wanted him to do on the attacking side, which was get on the ball when he could, and be aggressive; try to run at [their defenders], to get to the end-line and put them on their heels as much as we could,” Vanney explained.
After losing their last two outings, TFC improved to 3-6-1 on the season and moved up a spot in the Eastern Conference, as well as closing the gap on the rest of the teams ahead of them in the table, including fourth-place Orlando. More important, the win gives some momentum to a Toronto side that is off to its worst start to an MLS season since 2013.
Toronto was made to work for this victory. Vanney admitted there’s still a lot more work for the team to do, but he also felt it was important for the Reds to win ugly like they did on this night.
“We gutted out a win. Aside from that, it wasn’t a tactical beauty. It wasn’t perfect by any stretch. There were some good things in there, but at the end of the day when you’re missing [a lot of starters], for me it’s not a gauge of how beautiful is the game going to be; it’s about doing things you have to do to get the result on the day,” Vanney stated.
Like his coach, captain Michael Bradley preached caution, insisting TFC has plenty of work to do before regular service is resumed.
“I’m not ready to make any giant sweeping conclusions after one game,” Bradley bluntly offered.
While Orlando was without top scorer Dom Dwyer (lower body injury) and suspended midfielder Yoshimar Yotun, Toronto was missing its star forwards in Sebastian Giovinco (suspended) and Jozy Altidore (foot surgery). Also absent for the Reds were defenders Drew Moor, Nick Hagglund and Morgan, midfielder Nico Hasler, and left fullback Justin Morrow through injury.
Chris Mavinga made his first start (and second consecutive appearance) after a lengthy injury absence. Fellow defender Eriq Zavaleta was also in the starting 11 after being out injured for several games. Defender Gregory van der Wiel, who sat out last week’s game due to an Achilles issue, returned to action, but with Morgan out he had to shift from the right to the left side of defence. After playing in central defence the last few matches, Bradley returned to his natural position in central midfield.
Toronto enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and carried the majority of the play in the opening half, but couldn’t find a way through Orlando’s well-organized defensive shape. Telfer looked lively on the left side of midfield, creating an early scoring chance for fellow Canadian Jordan Hamilton, and hitting a half volley from inside the box that Bendik did well to push wide.
A high pressing game allowed TFC to exert some pressure and pin Orlando deep in its end to start the second half, with half scoring chances inside the penalty area following to Hamilton and Bradley.
Looking to instill some life into a limp attack, Vanney subbed in Tosaint Ricketts at the expense of Hamilton on the hour mark. The move provided immediate dividends. Ricketts latched onto a sublime through ball from Victor Vazquez and fired a shot that hit the post. Jay Chapman kept his composure with an Orlando defender bearing down on him from behind to coolly slot home the rebound. It was the second goal of the campaign for the Canadian, and the third of his MLS career.
TFC goalkeeper Alex Bono came up big moments later, saving Justin Meram’s dangerous header from in close. There was nothing Bono could do on Orlando’s equalizer, though. Cristian Higuita blasted a shot inside the near post from just outside the 18-yard box after Toronto failed to clear its lines.
Just when it looked like Toronto would have to settle for a draw, Telfer came to the rescue, scoring late in regulation off a cross from Auro Jr.
“We had [Auro] pinned on the sideline; he wiggled out and the ball floats over the back post, and we try to scramble and pick up guys quickly, but it didn’t happen in time,” Orlando defender Will Johnson told Sportsnet.
“It was a great finish, though. Ryan was good. He’s a good, young player, and he had a great game.”
NOTES: Toronto leads the all-time series against Orlando, with seven wins and one draw in nine meetings… TFC returns to action next Friday at home against FC Dallas.
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