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Photo Credit: Josh Kim
Toronto FC 1-0 Forge (2-2 Agg): TFC Comes Up Clutch
By In what was another opportunity to make the final of the Canadian Championship, Forge failed to live up to the chance.
Having led 2-1 from the first leg, Forge lost 1-0 at Toronto FC’s home turf in the return leg of their semifinal. As a result, TFC advances to the final by virtue of the away goals rule.
The Reds will face the winner of Vancouver Whitecaps and Pacific.
Following a 1-0 away win at Houston Dynamo on the weekend, John Herdman made six changes to his side ahead of the match, including a completely new backline. The rotation proved to be crucial for the Torontonians, who went 4-1-2 between the two legs.
As for Forge, they are coming off a goalless draw against York United on Friday night. Since the first leg nearly fifty days ago, the Hammers went 5-2-1, conceding just once in their last four outings. Still, head coach Bobby Smyrniotis went for just two adjustments from the game on Friday in a roster that no longer included Kwasi Poku.
TFC, knowing they needed to score in this outing, went on the offensive from the get go. Within the first two minutes, club captain Jonathan Osorio had an attempt that went over the bar.
The first half was largely played in Forge’s half, as the hosts controled much of the possession and looked the more threatening. Midway through the opening stanza, Henry Wingo had a chance that took a deflection off Prince Owusu, going just over the bar.
A minute later, TFC had another great chance. After a Forge giveaway, Kosi Thompson had a chance denied by Jassem Koleilat. Lorenzo Insigne’s follow-up attempt went over the bar.
The best chance of the half came at the half hour mark, through some great buildup. Federico Bernardeschi, who was lively throughout the match, got into a crossing position and found Owusu. Remarkably, the striker failed to find the net from point blank range.
At the halfway mark, TFC had outshot Forge 13-2, though the former only had two attempts on target. With 63% of the possession, it was only a matter of time before they found the breakthrough.
It would not even take five minutes in the second half before TFC got their goal. Bernardeschi was the key player involved, as he played an inch perfect ball to Lorenzo Insigne, who connected with the ball first-time to beat Koleilat. The goal was fully deserved for the home side, who now had the advantage in the tie for the first time.
Forge had their best chance a few moments after going behind. Off a free kick, Jordan Hamilton tried to direct his shot on target, but it was blocked and went out for a corner. The fans at BMO Field certainly held their breath for a moment.
After that, it was back to being all TFC. In the 65th minute, Bernardeschi was in one-on-one with Koleilat, but the Italian put his shot off the post. He was unlucky not have doubled his team’s advantage.
Minutes later, the former Fiorentina and Juventus man was back at it. He found Owusu from a set play, but the German still could not direct his effort on target.
That was the last noteworthy effort of the game, as Forge failed to really test Sean Johnson.
At the end of the match, TFC mustered 21 shots to Forge’s four (7-1 on target). It turns out that the goal scored late on in the first leg proved to be the difference maker in the tie, as TFC prevailed courtesy of that away goal.
Next for the MLS club are three straight home games, starting with DC United coming to town on Saturday. It is a great chance to strengthen their playoff position as the opposition sits bottom of the Eastern Conference.
As for Forge, they return to action on Friday night as Pacific comes to town. The Hammers will have to recover from this result quickly, as they still have eight games left in the Canadian Premier League regular season.
This year’s final of the Canadian Championship will be on Wednesday, 25 September in BC. The winner of the Pacific and Vancouver Whitecaps tie will be the hosts for that match.
