Toronto FC slip past NYCFC on last-minute PK

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:14 am

Alejandro Pozuelo converted a penalty kick in the 90th minute and Alex Bono stopped eight shots as Toronto FC eked out a 1-0 victory over New York City Football Club on Wednesday night in Harrison, N.J.

Toronto (7-2-4, 25 points) improved to 5-2-1 in its past eight matches.

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TFC's opportunity to get a relatively easy goal occurred when NYCFC's Nicolas Acevedo was handed a yellow card for committing a hand ball in the penalty area. After video review upheld the call, Pozuelo was awarded the penalty kick and easily scored his fifth goal.

He scored on a right-footed shot that moved into the net so quickly that NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson barely moved as the ball went in.

Pozuelo's clutch goal occurred eight minutes after Toronto's Omar Gonzalez went wide on a header off a set piece.

In his second start of the season, Bono kept Toronto in it on a night when it rarely held possession for long stretches.

NYCFC (5-6-2, 17 points) held possession for 59 percent of the match and took 16 shots but could do little with its chances. New York City saw a six-game unbeaten streak (4-0-2) stopped and lost for the first time since Aug. 20.

Toronto FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against New York City FC.
Toronto FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against New York City FC.
USA Today Images

Perhaps even more concerning was an apparent leg injury to NYCFC's Heber in the 84th minute. The forward exited the game after being tackled from behind, exited on a stretched and was replaced by Acevedo.

Johnson finished with two saves.

NYCFC had most of the first-half scoring opportunities but were unable to score despite getting half of its 10 shots on target. New York City made its strongest push in the final 15 minutes before the break but was unable to score as Bono made a diving stop on a header by Keaton Parks in the 31st minute and used his left foot to deny Alexander Ring close to halftime.

Toronto mustered only one of its three shots on target before halftime, but that resulted in Johnson making a diving stop on Pozuelo in the 35th minute.