In a match with seven goals scored, three braces and four lead changes on the night, substitute Jordan Hamilton was the hero as the Toronto FC Homegrown forward notched a late double to cap a wild 4-3 win over Minnesota United at BMO Field on MLS Friday Night on TSN.
Minnesota took the lead in the 17th minute, as Darwin Quintero beat goalkeeper Alex Bono to a ball in Toronto's box and tapped it into the open net. It was the Colombian's fourth goal in six games this season.
But Alejandro Pozuelo scored a quick-fire brace to flip the scoreline for Toronto. His first goal came on an open-field counterattack, as he was afforded space and unleashed a rocket from outside the 18-yard box. Then, two minutes later he hammered home another goal from a low cross in the box to put his team up 2-1.
The Loons didn't give up, and striker Angelo Rodriguez headed in a cross from right back Romain Metanire just before the hour mark to make it 2-2. Rodriguez also drew a penalty from a Chris Mavinga foul, and Quintero scored from the spot in the 70th minute to put the visitors ahead once more 3-2.
The game turned again when Hamilton entered off the bench for TFC, and he scored two goals of his own in two minutes, his first career MLS brace. It put the home side up 4-3 late and Toronto held on against nine-man MNUFC after two late red cards to Jan Gregus and Francisco Calvo.
Goals
- 17' – MIN – Darwin Quintero | WATCH
- 28' – TOR – Alejandro Pozuelo | WATCH
- 30' – TOR – Alejandro Pozuelo | WATCH
- 57' – MIN – Angelo Rodriguez | WATCH
- 70' – MIN – Darwin Quintero (PK) | WATCH
- 77' – TOR – Jordan Hamilton | WATCH
- 79' – TOR – Jordan Hamilton | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Although they are conceding more goals in 2019 (11 in just 6 matches), Toronto FC (4W-1L-1D) are showing they're comfortable winning high-scoring affairs. Minnesota will be disappointed they gave up a lead twice on the road, but the late meltdown showed they have room for growth yet.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Hamilton's winner was a near-mirror image of his first, as he battled defender Michael Boxall to a ball, beat the defender, and punched it in.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Hamilton's brace leads the story of the game, but Pozuelo was most influential, with two goals and an assist on the winner to deliver three points to TFC.
Next Up
- TOR: Saturday, April 27 vs. Portland Timbers (3 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; TSN, CTV in Canada)
- MIN: Wednesday, April 24 vs. LA Galaxy (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; DAZN in Canada)
