Toronto FC’s first game of MLS Reserve League finished with a 2-1 loss to Columbus on Saturday night thanks to a 66th minute winner by Crew Academy player Chris Davis.
The visitors took the lead with Andres Mendoza scoring early to put Columbus ahead 1-0.
Toronto equalized through Tristan Jackman later in the opening frame to pull the Reds level 1-1.
The Reds had an opportunity to go ahead at the 40th minute but Demtrius Omphroy’s cross to Nathan Sturgis resulted in a block by a Columbus defender inside the six-yard box.
Mendoza got into hot water at the 43rd minute receiving a straight red card for a foul on Toronto FC Academy graduate Matt Stinson.
The Crew were playing with 10 men in the second half but did not let up. Davis’ goal arrived following a set-piece opportunity in which the forward headed past Toronto goalkeeper Milos Kocic.
Davis also received a yellow card in the second half to go along with his winning goal.
In the final 10 minutes of the game Toronto pressured for a second goal but couldn’t find a leveler. Matt Gold made a strong pass to Omphroy, whose cross caused confusion inside the Crew area but was blocked and eventually cleared.
At the final minute of regulation time Stinson struck a low stinger that rolled past the Crew goal missing by inches.
Scoring Summary:
- Toronto – Jackman 35’
- Columbus – Mendoza 11’ Davis 66’
Toronto FC – Milos Kocic; Ashtone Morgan, Jordan Murrell, Doneil Henry, Demitrius Omphroy; Matt Gold, Matt Stinson, Nathan Sturgis, Keith Makubuya (Kaheem Christopher 60’), Stefan Vukovic, Tristan Jackman.
Substitutes not used – Angelo Cavaluzzo
Columbus Crew – Andy Gruenenbaum; Ben Sippola, Eric Gehrig, Andi Iro, Korey Veeder; Desan Rusmir (Chris Davis 53’), Cole Grossman, Andy Adlard, Leandre Griffit; Justin Meram, Andres Mendoza.
Substitutes not used – Alex Riggs, Tom Heinemann, Khai Celestin
Misconduct Summary:
Columbus – Mendoza (ejection) 43’
Columbus – Meram (caution) 87’
Columbus – Davis (caution) 89’
