New York Red Bulls headed to Toronto to take on Toronto FC Sunday at BMO Field. This was a chance for the Red Bulls to go ahead and sit at the top of the table with a win. Things were looking good early for New York in this clash of the top teams in the eastern conference taking the lead in the 12’ minute on a Steven Beitashour own goal. Then in the 31’ minute the Red Bulls doubled there lead with Bradley Wright-Phillips taking advantage of a Toronto FC mistake at the back. Going up 2-0 before the half things could not be going better for the visitors. However on the brink of halftime Toronto got back into the game. Seeing United States National Team midfielder Michael Bradley stealing one back in the 41’ minute of the game. Ending a thrilling first half that did not disappoint.
As the teams took the field to get the second half underway the match was very much still in question. But once again New York would find the back of the net early in the half on a second goal from Wright-Philips in the 48’ minute. Having re-secured a two-goal lead it looked as New York was cruising and heading to first place and become the first team to clinch a berth in the playoffs. Earning leads has not been a problem for Wright-Philips in company but they have had a problem holding them hoping that would end here in Toronto. Once again those demons would haunt this team. Just twenty minutes after the Red Bulls third goal Jozy Altidore would strike for his first of the game and his teams second. Coming in the 68’ on a well-placed free kick that goalkeeper Luis Robles had no chance to stop.
Just as it was starting to look as they would be able to see it out and gain the three points on the road there issues struck again. It was the 86’ minute where USA national team members teamed up for Altidore’s second goal coming on an assist from Michael Bradley. And after five minutes of stoppage time the referee blew the whistled for full-time ending the match in a 3-3 tie. Keeping Toronto FC at the top of the table in first place and a place in the playoffs later in the year. Leaving the New York Red Bulls with just one point on the day and a league worse 18 points dropped from a leading position in 2016.
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