Dominique Badji struck in the 74th-minute as the Colorado Rapids Soccer Club earned a well-deserved 1-1 draw with the current Supporters’ Shield leaders Toronto FC at BMO Field.
The home side opened the scoring just four minutes in to the match, when a terrific save from Rapids captain Zac MacMath was followed up by Toronto forward Jay Chapman. The Canadian managed to squeeze his header past MacMath and Rapids center-back Kortne Ford to give Toronto an early lead.
Toronto were fortunate to remain at full-strength 26 minutes in when a reckless challenge by Chris Mavinga on Badji could have easily resulted in a sending off. Referee Juan Guzman Jr. saw it differently, however, and was content to show the Congolese defender only a yellow card.
Just before the break, Rapids defender Axel Sjöberg was also cautioned after colliding with former Barcelona midfielder Victor Vazquez.
Following the interval, the hosts were unlucky not to double their advantage when Chapman spurned a golden opportunity from just six-yards out.
As the match slowly began to turn in the visitors’ favor, Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni brought on striker Alan Gordon, as well as Jared Watts who replaced an injured Kortne Ford.
The moves paid off, and Kevin Doyle nearly equalized in the 66th-minute following a pin point set-piece delivery from midfielder Mohammed Saeid. Toronto goalkeeper Clint Irwin was up to the task, denying Doyle the leveler.
The Toronto netminder was helpless just 11 minutes later when Badji latched on to the ball and fired home from just outside the box – notching his sixth goal of the season.
Next up for the Rapids (6-11-2; 20 points) is a Saturday trip to San Jose, California. Kickoff with the Earthquakes is set for 6:00 p.m. MT (Altitude) at Avaya Stadium.
BOX SCORE
Toronto FC 1-1 Colorado Rapids
BMO Field; Toronto, Canada
Saturday, July 22, 2017
SCORING SUMMARY
TOR: Jay Chapman (unassisted) 5’
COL: Dominique Badji (Alan Gordon) 76’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
TOR: Chris Mavinga (caution) 27’
COL: Axel Sjöberg (caution) 44’
COL: Marlon Hairston (caution) 90’+5’
Toronto FC: Clint Irwin; Eriq Zavaleta, Nick Hagglund, Chris Mavinga, Raheem Edwards (Ashtone Morgan 69’), Benoit Cheyrou (Tosaint Ricketts 40’), Marco Delgado, Victor Vazquez, Tsubasa Endoh; Jay Chapman (Armando Cooper 73’), Sebastian Giovinco.
Subs not used: Alexander Bono, Drew Moor, Jordan Hamilton, Oyvind Alseth.
Colorado Rapids: Zac MacMath; Eric Miller (Alan Gordon 63’), Kortne Ford (Jared Watts 69’), Axel Sjöberg, Mike da Fonte; Marlon Hairston, Micheal Azira, Mohammed Saeid, Dillon Serna (Caleb Calvert 86’); Dominique Badji, Kevin Doyle.
Subs not used: John Berner, Dennis Castillo, Nana Boateng, Dillon Powers.
ATTENDANCE: 28,060
TEAM RECORDS
Toronto FC: 11-3-7 (40 points)
Colorado Rapids: 6-11-2 (20 points)
