NEW YORK,NY(SMI-SPORTS,10.23.19)-Two major errors from the NYCFC defensive line resulted in two goals in the second half- as Toronto FC defeated the Boys in Blue  2-1, in the MLS Eastern semi-final match, eliminating them from the play-off and ending their outstanding season at CitiField Flushing NY.

 

New York City, who were seated#1 in the MLS Eastern conference play-off and had two weeks of rest prior to this game, could not penetrate effectively the Toronto solid defensive line and let the visitors control the game in the first half that ended scoreless.

​

Toronto FC, who was seated#4 in the play-off, opened the score just two minutes after start of the second half through Alejandro Pozuelo when he intercepted a ball  inside the 18' and scoring the first goal of the game at 47' minutes after  he took advantage of the huge mistake committed by NYCFC's defender Maxime Chanot -in trying to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper Sean Johnson, it did not go far enough finding himself all alone to put the visitors in front 1-0 over the Boys in Blue.

​

New York City went to the offensive mode, knowing that losing this game will ruin their sensational season that they worked all year long and the elimination from the playoff. After numerous attacks, the equalizer arrived at the 69:25 minute, during a side trowing Ronald Matarrita gave it Maxi Morales who immediately centered a long pass inside the 18' finding Ismael Tajouri-Shrafi who scored in first with a left-footed cannon to tied the score at 1-1.

​

The game got more excited after NYCFC even the score and both team went to the attack in search of the victory to avoid the overtime period. The crowd were chanting, screaming and getting ready for the extra time with the clock running out when suddently in a counter-attack Toronto's midfielder Richie Laryea was brought down inside the 18' by NYCFC's defender Ronald Matarrita for penalty shot call at the 88' minute of stoppage time.

​

Alejandro Pozuelo executed the penalty shot and scored his second goal of the game and securing the victory for Totonto of 2-1 over the NYCFC.

​

With the win, Toronto advances for the third time to the MLS Eastern Final Conference game out of four seasons and end NYCFC outstanding season.

​

NYCFC and coach Domenec Torren had an outstanding season after losing David Villa last season and creating a new team from scratch.The Boys in Blue are a young team and needs to mature a little bit more for post season play competition since experience was the difference in this game against Toronto.

 

​

​