Toronto FC’s 13 shots earn 1-1 draw after New York City FC dominate possession

Toronto FC recover for 1-1 draw at BMO Field

Toronto FC and New York City FC drew 1-1 at BMO Field on Saturday, August 29, with the visitors leading at half-time before Dániel Sallói’s second-half equaliser secured a point for Toronto. The result leaves New York City FC seventh in the Eastern Conference on 27 points from 21 matches, while Toronto remain 10th with 24 points.

New York City FC took the lead in the 29th minute. N. Mercau finished a move assisted by A. Ojeda, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage that they carried into the interval. Mercau was booked in the 40th minute, while Toronto defender B. Kuscevic had already received a yellow card in the 18th minute.

Toronto made two changes in the 55th minute, introducing D. Salloi for D. Etienne and Matheus Pereira for K. Franklin. Those adjustments helped change the momentum, and Salloi brought the teams level in the 70th minute after receiving the assist from T. Corbeanu. Salloi was on the field for 36 minutes and finished with one shot on target, while Corbeanu completed the match with an assist and two key passes.

Toronto’s response was reflected in the attacking numbers, even though New York City controlled possession. The hosts had 59% of the ball and completed 525 passes at an 89% accuracy rate, compared with Toronto’s 41% possession, 349 passes and 86% accuracy. However, Toronto produced 13 total shots to New York City’s four, including six shots on goal to one. The home side also won the corner count 6-2 and forced five goalkeeper saves, while New York City made none.

The statistics therefore contradicted the scoreline: New York City had more of the ball but created fewer attempts, while Toronto’s pressure produced enough chances to overturn the deficit. Toronto recorded an expected-goals figure of 0.70 against New York City’s 0.30, although neither side found a winning goal.

Discipline remained a feature of the second half. A. Perea was booked for New York City in the 54th minute, followed by Toronto cautions for D. Mihailovic in the 59th and Matheus Pereira in the 64th. New York City introduced Raul Gustavo and K. O'Toole in the 63rd minute, then M. Jones and J. Shore later; Shore was booked in the 90th minute.

Nicolás Fernández was the highest-rated performer at 8.0, playing 91 minutes and recording one shot on target and one key pass. The draw extends Toronto’s recent sequence to a mixed run that includes a win and a draw in their latest two matches, while New York City’s recent form now includes three draws in their last five games.