By Canadian Press

Akinola goal lifts Toronto FC to fourth straight win as New England rues penalty miss

Oct 7, 2020 | 7:53 PM

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Ayo Akinola’s first-half goal lifted Toronto FC to its fourth straight win with a 1-0 decision over the New England Revolution in MLS play Wednesday.

After Akinola put Toronto ahead in the 29th minute, a clumsy tackle by Marky Delgado on Lee Nguyen in the 67th minute gave New England the chance to equalize. But Polish forward Adam Buksa hammered the ensuing penalty kick over the crossbar for the goal-challenged Revs.

Backup goalkeeper Alex Bono recorded his third clean sheet in as many appearances this season, upping his career shutout total to a club-record 29.

Toronto (10-2-4) is now unbeaten in six outings (5-0-1) and sitting atop the league standings  after Columbus dropped a 2-1 decision to Montreal. TFC came into the game tied on goal difference with the Crew after dispatching elite opposition in New York City FC, Columbus and Philadelphia.

New England (5-4-7) saw its four-game undefeated streak snapped.

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It was a rare win in Gillette Stadium for Toronto. Going into Wednesday’s game, TFC was 2-10-5 at New England and had been outscored 31-12.

TFC has lost just two of 26 regular-season matches (14-2-10) since a 2-0 defeat at the New York Red Bulls on Aug. 3, 2019. Those two setbacks came four days apart last month, in one-goal losses to Montreal and Vancouver, respectively. A July defeat against New York City FC in the round of 16 at the MLS is Back Tournament did not count in the regular-season standings.

Toronto, like Montreal and Vancouver, due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, is having to play its remaining regular-season games south of the border. TFC has made East Hartford, Conn., its home away from home.

Akinola used his speed and power to good effect on Toronto’s goal, outmuscling defender Andrew Farrell to get to a ball sent in by Alejandro Pozuelo before poking the ball past goalkeeper Matt Turner. New England coach Bruce Arena wanted a foul on the play but Akinola’s eighth of the season — and second in as many games — stood up.

It ended a 213-minute shutout run for the Revs, who had allowed just one goal over the previous four games.

Akinola gave a hint in the sixth minute of what was to come after a fine long pass from Delgado, but his shot flashed just wide of the post. 

New England began to press with Delgado blocking a Buksa shot in the 17th minute after defender Chris Mavinga lost the ball. Toronto fullback Richie Laryea had to intervene seconds later to snuff out another threat.

New England’s Brandon Bye had a chance in the 37th minute after a corner but he skied his shot from in front.

There was some bad blood in the 39th when Toronto winger Pablo Piatti, incensed at a hard Tommy McNamara challenge, went after the Revs midfielder. McNamara had earned the ire of Laryea seconds earlier for a physical tackle.

Bono, making his 100th start in all competitions for Toronto, flubbed a couple of catches in the first half. He did better early n the second half, denying DeJuan Jones and Nguyen.

Buksa’s deflection from in-close went wide in the 61st minute. Akinola, put in behind the defence by a fine Laryea pass, clipped the post in the 77th minute.

Toronto coach Greg Vanney made four changes to the starting 11 that beat Philadelphia 2-1 on the weekend, with two of the moves injury-related.

Bono, fullback Tony Gallacher, centre back Laurent Ciman and midfielder Nick DeLeon came in for Quentin Westberg, Justin Morrow, Omar Gonzalez and Jozy Altidore. Morrow (calf) and Altidore (hamstring) exited last Sunday’s win over Philadelphia early. 

Brazilian fullback Auro, recovered from an ankle bone bruise, returned to action in the second half after a four-game absence. Toronto captain Michael Bradley continues to work his way back from a knee injury.

Argentine forward Gustavo Bou, New England’s leading goal-scorer, did not dress because of a a minor injury. Canadian-born U.S. international Teal Bunbury shifted to the bench as Buksa and American midfielder Diego Fagundez were inserted into the starting lineup.

New England was also without Spanish playmaker Carles Gil, who is recovering from Achilles tendon surgery. Canadian attacker Tajon Buchanan made his fifth straight start for the Revs.

Wednesday’s game was the second of five in 16 days for Toronto, which visits Cincinnati on Sunday.

New England came into the game tied for second in the league in defence, conceding a stingy 0.80 goals a game (compared to 1.07 for TFC). But goals have been an issue at times. The Revs ranked 22nd on offence, averaging 1.00 goal a game (compared to 1.73 for Toronto).

The teams tied 0-0 July 21 at the MLS is Back Tournament, their only other meeting this season. Bono was also in goal for Toronto that day.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 7, 2020

The Canadian Press