TORONTO – The New England Revolution (8-7-10; 34 pts.) played Toronto FC (8-12-6; 30 pts.) to a 2-2 draw at BMO Field on Wednesday night behind goals from Tommy McNamara and Justin Rennicks. Now with only two losses in their last 17 games, the Revolution have climbed up to sixth place in the Eastern Conference following Wednesday’s MLS action.
The Revolution carried a four-game shutout streak into tonight’s match, which ended in the 31st minute when Toronto’s Federico Bernardeschi scored the game’s opening goal from the penalty spot. New England’s shutout streak ended at 402 minutes, the second longest in club history. Djordje Petrović, who had been in net for the entirety of that run, finished the match with five saves.
New England responded emphatically before halftime as Rennicks’ shot was saved and McNamara cleaned up the rebound, burying his second goal of the season from close range in the 37th minute. For McNamara, who has contributed to four goals in the last three games, it marked his 20th MLS regular season goal.
Shortly after the intermission, Rennicks, making his fourth straight start, put the visitors ahead with his second career MLS goal. The Homegrown forward collected Carles Gil’s through ball and fired a right-footed shot past Alex Bono in the 48th minute. Gil recorded his 13th assist on the play, only one behind the MLS lead.
The Revolution fought hard to close out the match, but a spectacular strike from Domenico Criscito in the 75th minute pulled Toronto FC level at 2-2. Criscito’s volley originated from a corner kick, one of 17 on the night for Toronto, which means New England has still not allowed a goal from open play in more than six games, or 548 consecutive minutes.
Bruce Arena called upon a pair of 17-year-old Revolution Academy products in Noel Buck and Esmir Bajraktarevic as substitutes in the 68th minute. Buck earned his second MLS appearance, while Bajraktarevic made his MLS debut.
The Revolution will travel to Quebec on Thursday to prepare for another road test this Saturday, August 20 at CF Montreal. The match at Stade Saputo kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on WSBK-TV38, myRITV, 98.5 The Sports Hub, and WBIX 1260 AM Nossa Radio.
MATCH NOTES
- New England, back above the playoff line in sixth place, is unbeaten in its last five matches (2-0-3) dating back to July 23 and has lost only twice in the last 17 league games.
- With the 31st-minute penalty goal by Toronto, the Revolution’s shutout streak came to end at 402 minutes – the second longest in club history and only 18 minutes from tying the mark of 420 minutes set in 2013.
- Both of Toronto’s goals tonight originated from set plays (penalty kick and corner kick). The Revolution have not conceded a goal from open play in more than six games, 548 consecutive minutes.
- Tommy McNamara, playing in his 199th career MLS match, found the scoresheet for a third straight match, netting the opening goal for New England. McNamara also added eight recoveries on the night.
- Justin Rennicks scored his second goal of the season – his first since April 9 – and led the team with a pair of shots on target.
- Carles Gil registered his 13th assist of the season on Rennicks’ strike, second most in MLS this season. He added two chances created to his league-leading total. Gil now has one goal and two assists in the last three matches.
- Esmir Bajraktarević, the Revolution’s ninth Homegrown Player signing, made his MLS debut and his second appearance across all competitions for the first team this season, playing 22 minutes.
- Noel Buck made his second consecutive MLS appearance after making his league debut last Saturday.
- Djordje Petrović, who has earned three straight selections to MLS Team of the Week, made five saves to move his record to 4-2-6 through his first 12 MLS starts.
- Omar Gonzalez started for the first time since June 12, recording a team-high nine clearances including a goal-line stop in the second half.
- Bruce Arena made two changes to his Starting XI from last Saturday’s win over D.C. United, with Christian Makoun and Omar Gonzalez starting in place of Damian Rivera and Henry Kessler. The start was Makoun’s first in a Revolution uniform.
GAME CAPSULE
New England Revolution 2, Toronto FC 2
August 17, 2022 – BMO Field (Toronto, Ontario)
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Assistant Referees: Gianni Facchini (AR1), Tyler Wyrostek (AR2)
Fourth Official: Drew Fischer
Video Assistant Referee: Michael Radchuk
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Tom Supple
Weather: 72 degrees and showers
Attendance: 28,464
Scoring Summary:
TOR – Federico Bernardeschi 4 (Penalty Kick) 31’
NE – Tommy McNamara 2 (Unassisted) 37’
NE – Justin Rennicks 2 (Carles Gil 13) 48’
TOR – Domenico Criscito 1 (Michael Bradley 4) 75’
Misconduct Summary:
NE – Christian Makoun (Yellow Card – Tactical Foul) 29’
TOR – Ayo Akinola (Yellow Card – Bad Foul) 35’
NE – Brandon Bye (Yellow Card – Dissent) 76’
TOR – Richie Laryea (Yellow Card – Tactical Foul) 78’
New England Revolution: Djordje Petrović; Andrew Farrell, Omar Gonzalez, Christian Makoun; DeJuan Jones, Wilfrid Kaptoum (Matt Polster 24’), Tommy McNamara, Brandon Bye; Emmanuel Boateng (Noel Buck 68’), Carles Gil ©; Justin Rennicks (Esmir Bajraktarevic 68’).
Substitutes Not Used: Earl Edwards Jr., Jon Bell, A.J. DeLaGarza, Ben Reveno, Damian Rivera, Ryan Spaulding.
Toronto FC: Alex Bono; Richie Laryea, Lukas MacNaughton, Chris Mavinga, Domenico Criscito; Michael Bradley ©, Jayden Nelson (Deandre Kerr 65’), Jonathan Osorio; Federico Bernardeschi, Lorenzo Insigne, Ayo Akinola (Jesús Jiménez 65’).
Substitutes Not Used: Greg Ranjitsingh, Ifunanyachi Achara, Doneil Henry, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, Shane O’Neill, Luca Petrasso, Kosi Thompson.
Full statistics available HERE.
