Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1, Toronto FC 1 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

Alicia Rodriguez

Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Toronto FC squared off in a Canadian derby as part of MLS Friday Night on TSN, and after a tepid opening 80 minutes the teams exchanged goals in the final 10 minutes to draw 1-1 at BC Place.

The teams, meeting for the only time in MLS regular season play in 2019, entered the match in opposing form, with Vancouver three games unbeaten and Toronto on a five-game winless run. In the end, both teams' streaks will continue with the result.

After a first half where good scoring chances were at a premium, the teams slowly turned up the intensity in the second stanza. TFC pressed Whitecaps goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau into action, which he was up for, while Vancouver attacker Yordy Reyna came off the bench and offered some game-breaking speed in the open field.

Reyna's speed led to the game's first turning point, as he was brought down in the box by TFC defender Drew Moor in the final 10 minutes, and Fredy Montero stepped up to score the game's first goal from the penalty spot for Vancouver.

But Toronto went down to the other end and battled for an equalizer, something they found in the 90th minute when another substitute, Nick DeLeon, hit a deflected shot from the right flank that bounced through traffic and into the net.

Goals

84' – VAN – Fredy Montero (PK) | WATCH
90' – TOR – Nick DeLeon | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: Considering the play on the night, a draw was a fair result for both sides. Vancouver will be unhappy to have conceded after taking the lead, but they are stringing results together and this is a decent result. TFC, meanwhile, will be pleased with the fight back to get a result, but their winless run drags on, and they seem to be in a bonafide slump.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Truthfully, the action came at the end, but DeLeon's equalizer was full of drama.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Reyna only played 28 minutes off the bench, but the Peruvian, back after being sidelined by an injury, brought a dynamism the game was missing, and his sharp play drew the penalty that lit the game up, even if it didn't turn out to be the winner.