It was a beautiful day for soccer in The Bronx on Saturday as NYCFC faced up against Toronto, but the day would soon end on a sour note for the home team. The game resulted in a 1-1 draw. It was a hard fought contest between two good teams, but it is hard to discuss or write about the game without mentioning the officiating.
Despite a couple of questionable yellow cards given in the first half, the score at half reflected the game. Both sides had had their chances but failed to capitalize on their chances. It was a good game on a good day and the match up was giving fans something to wonder at. No one could have predicted the controversy in the second half.
NYCFC was up one in the second half, scoring off a nice free kick by Gudmundur Thorarinsson and rebound clean up by Jesus Medina, when the controversy broke out. Toronto’s keeper, Alex Bono, was clearing the ball from his box after collecting it from a shot by Medina when he kicked the ball directly into the back of Medina’s head. The ball ricocheted off Medina and over Bono and into his own goal. David Gantar, the referee, had already blown his whistle and called an obstruction foul on Medina before the ball crossed the line and into the goal. What seemed to be like a 2-0 lead was negated by the call. Yes, Medina jumped, but he did not jump into the path of the ball. Bono kicked the ball directly at Medina. The ball easily left Bono’s hands and he put it in play. He just kicked it directly at Medina striking him in the back of the head from yards away. It was clearly Bono’s fault not Medina’s but the call on the field stood and NYCFC were denied. Toronto would score two minutes later in the confusion created by the call and level the game at one a piece. Head coach, Ronny Deila had this to say after the match.
“I think we had a good game. I think the defense was very solid. They only created one goal chance against us. It was an even game, very tight. Two good teams. We get one-nil up and we had good control of the game at that time and I think we controlled it for 90 minutes. But then of course we get robbed by the ref, that’s for sure. I can’t understand it. The one thing I have to say positive to him— he’s humble. [He said] “I did a mistake.” Ok, but it doesn’t give us two points more. For me, I’m proud of the boys.”
May 15, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC head coach Ronny Deila looks on during the second half against Toronto FC at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Gantar had apparently admitted a mistake on missing a hand ball in the box and had not admitted to making a bad call on the second goal, but Deila was not impressed either way blaming the team’s mentality on the Toronto goal. “When we get robbed in that way you react. That’s human… James (Sands) got run down. It is a free kick.” Deila was referring to Dom Dwyer obviously stepping on James Sands during the lead up to the Toronto goal and Gantar letting play continue.
All in all, NYCFC are unbeaten in 4 games now and can hold their head up high with a point in the game. Their injury concerns continue starting the game already without starters Maxi Moralez, Alfredo Morales and Anton Tinnerholm. During the game they lost both of their center backs. Maxime Chanot going out in the second half with a groin injury and Alexander Callens leaving the match with a hamstring problem just 13 minutes in.
There is a lot of healing and planning to do looking ahead to their match next week against Columbus. I am sure they hope they will not have to deal with any controversial calls as well.
