It wasn’t looking good for LAFC.
Trailing 1-0 heading into stoppage time, LAFC found themselves in danger of losing back-to-back home games for the first time ever. More so, this potential loss was going to be compounded by a goal waved off for offside, then in stoppage time, with a potential penalty ruled a corner kick instead.
LAFC however got the benefit of video review, which overturned the corner kick ruling and gave LAFC the penalty, which Carlos Vela converted, and LAFC escaped with a 1-1 draw at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday night.
The point keeps LAFC well in front in the Supporters Shield race with three matches left to play. While LAFC will be somewhat disappointed that its winless streak has now reached five matches, LAFC can take some solace that they have still been earning points during this dry stretch, as this is LAFC’s third straight draw and fourth in five matches.
“It’s a positive in terms of the mentality we have, but we just want to be stronger early on and not give up early goals that put us in a hole,” LAFC keeper Tyler Miller said.
The madness started well into stoppage time, with LAFC pressing for the equalizer. Eduard Atuesta sent a ball into the penalty area, Latiff Blessing chested the ball down, then made his move, Toronto defender Chris Mavinga challenged Blessing, jumped, got his left foot up and ended up kicking Blessing in the chest area. Initially however, referee Ted Unkel ruled a corner kick for LAFC, even as the LAFC players pleaded for the foul and penalty. Unkel however soon got the word for video review, which confirmed Mavinga’s foul on Blessing, and Unkel changed the call and thus awarding LAFC the penalty, which Vela converted to salvage the draw and the point for LAFC.
“We had a lot of possession in the second half,” LAFC head coach Bob Bradley said of LAFC’s second half. “We were able to control most of the transitions, and there’s a lot of numbers, but ont hat end, we did much better.”
Toronto FC jumped out to the lead in the 19th minute. Richie Laryea led Toronto on a forward push, sent a ball inside the penalty area, the pass was cut off, but Marky Delgado won possession back for Toronto, passed to Jozy Altidore, who then found Tsubasa Endoh unmarked, Endoh took a touch before firing a shot that beat Miller far post to stake Toronto to the lead. LAFC thought they had an equalizer later in the half, but a Diego Rossi goal was called back for offside.
“First half, I thought we were slow to step up, slow to close down,” Bradley said.
There will be no rest for the weary for LAFC, as they jump back into action on Wednesday with another home match, this one against the Houston Dynamo.
