TORONTO – Skies gray and dull, rain pouring down, Toronto FC’s rematch with D.C. United at BMO Field never seemed to get started. Neither side managed to find the back of the net in a scrappy game that left each team with one point.
It was a frustrating match for the home side in particular, after Toronto FC came off a big 3-1 victory over the Montreal Impact on Wednesday. For D.C. United, this was one of many games played in recent weeks and the visitors should be more than pleased with a point away from home.
The first 45 minutes weren’t particularly fruitful for either side, with Toronto FC pressing and creating many more set piece opportunities than D.C. United. But TFC was unable to convert any of those chances as D.C. United defended well.
D.C. United put two of their three chances on goal, testing Chris Konopka, but while Toronto created a few more of their own, the home side only tested Bill Hamid one time, with Sebastian Giovinco pulling a shot onto Hamid’s short side. Toronto’s best chance came with a few minutes to go in the half, when Giovinco teed up Jonathan Osorio for a shot as he was waiting in the middle. The Canadian midfielder faked the first shot before striking with the next, and his low curler dipped out wide, though Hamid did dive to try to save it.
D.C. United’s best chance came in the 33rd minute as Luis Silva forced a save out of Konopka, followed up by a wide header by Nick DeLeon on the resulting corner. Thoroughly soaked under the rain, the two teams entered the locker rooms level at 0-0.
The second half proved to be quite similar to the first, with both teams creating half-chances and testing each other’s goalkeepers, but producing few meaningful opportunities. Giovinco in particular looked dangerous, finding Michael Bradley in the middle of the box on one chance, but the TFC skipper just missed his first touch.
D.C. United looked content holding back while Toronto continued to press, fouling and drawing yellow cards when necessary. A last-minute overhead kick by Jairo Arrieta forced a big save out of Konopka, the best of D.C.’s chances in the second half. But with neither side capable of finding the back of the net, these two Eastern Conference foes split a point each and left the game as it started, the final score 0-0.
Toronto FC next take on the LA Galaxy at the StubHub Center on July 4, while D.C. United take on the Philadelphia Union on June 30 at PPL Park.
