FT: Minnesota United 1-1 Toronto FC – Game thread, preview, how to watch
Live Thread
FT – Minnesota United 1-1 Toronto FC. TFC held to a league high ninth draw of the season.
89′ – GOAL MINNESOTA UNITED. The hosts tie the game late through Kervin Arriaga.
86′ – Aimé Mabika with a block on the goal-line yet again!
83′ – Rosted commits a foul on Reynoso in a dangerous area.
81′ – Substitute Ménder Garcia’s shot at goal blocked by Kobe Franklin and calmly caught by goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
65′ – Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s shot goes just wide of the post! The play was deemed as offside since Sang-Bin was offside when he received the pass to begin the attack.
65′ – Emanuel Reynoso makes his first appearance of the season for Minnesota – he was kept out of the team for disciplinary reasons after not showing up to this year’s preseason.
61′ – Sang-Bin’s curling effort does not miss the net by much.
58′ – GOAL TORONTO FC. Richie Laryea cuts the ball back across the face of goal, and Lorenzo Insigne tucks it home!
57′ – Matt Hedges limps off the pitch and is substituted. Sigurd Rosted makes his first appearance since May 9th after suffering a rib injury.
53′ – Great turn and strike from Deandre Kerr, St. Clair saves the attempt.
46′ – Substitution for TFC: Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty and Kosi Thompson come out, Brandon Servania and Deandre Kerr enter the match.
HT – Minnesota United 0-0 Toronto FC.
44′ – C.J. Sapong produces an impressive moment of individual skill and is brought down by Miguel Tapias, surprisingly no foul was called on the defender.
40′ – Richie Laryea’s shot from just inside the 18-yard box is blocked by a Minnesota defender.
38′ – Jeong Sang-Bin dribbles past Lorenzo Insigne easily and unleashes a left-footed shot that rises slightly over the crossbar.
31′ – Wil Trapp is shown the first yellow card of the game.
28′ – The alarm bells begin to ring for TFC, as Minnesota come close to scoring the opener after a risky clearance from goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Mabika comes to the rescue with a goal-line clearance.
22′ – Toronto defender Richie Laryea wins yet another foul for his team – it’s just second nature for him. He leads the league in fouls drawn.
17′ – Aimé Mabika gets in front to block a shot from Jeong Sang-Bin.
10′ – That’s more like it from Federico Bernardeschi! Dayne St. Clair gets down to parry away the shot taken by the Italian winger.
9′ – TFC win the first corner of the night after a shot from Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty was blocked
1′ – And we are underway in the the Twin Cities!
8:00 pm ET – Get your predictions in before the match kicks off!
7:30 pm ET – The Reds make their first ever visit to Allianz Field tonight to play Minnesota United. The Loons have the worst home goal-scoring record in MLS, as they have only been able to put the ball into the back of the net five times in seven matches. Meanwhile, TFC are yet to win an away match this season.
Starting XI’s
Head Coach Bob Bradley makes one change to Toronto FC’s starting XI from Wednesday’s match. C.J. Sapong returns to the lineup to replace Deandre Kerr.
Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair starts in net for the hosts. ‘Keeper Clint Irwin spent three seasons with Toronto FC, he is on the bench for Minnesota. Former TFC left back Kemar Lawrence was listed as questionable for this contest, and it is confirmed that he is not in the matchday squad for the Loons.
Match Preview, by Adam Palermo
Having played five of their last seven league matches in front of their own fans, Toronto FC have two wins to show for it. Bob Bradley’s team has been shutout in five of those seven contests, scoring just three goals across 630 minutes of action.
Toronto’s scoring struggles will need to be amended if there is to be any hope of climbing up the Eastern Conference standings. Their next chance to collect points comes this Saturday when they travel to take on Minnesota United, just the club’s second road trip stateside since falling apart in Philadelphia in late April.
An all-too-familiar story was told last time out for TFC in a goalless draw against the Chicago Fire. Even though the Reds were able to control the majority of the match and get shots off, the killer edge was again lacking. The clearcut scoring chances that did come did not fall the way of Lorenzo Insigne or Federico Bernardeschi, with the latter unable to have the desired impact or result in his return to the pitch after missing the win over D.C. United.
A positive development from what has otherwise been a lacklustre season from TFC so far has been the defensive solidity seen from the squad. The acquisitions of Sean Johnson and Matt Hedges in particular have been huge, adding much-needed stability to a backline that had been all over the place during the past two seasons. Additionally, the trade which brought Aimé Mabika to Toronto is looking better and better by the week, with the towering centre-back seemingly having earned his spot next to Hedges.
TFC did well to neutralize the threat of Chicago last time out, but play in the attacking third of the pitch left a lot to be desired, not for the first time this campaign. Goalscoring from strikers has been hard to come by while Insigne and Bernardeschi fail to deliver on the potential they teased during the 2022 season.
One player whose absence has been felt during the past month is club legend Jonathan Osorio, whose MCL strain has kept him out of the lineup since his side’s loss to the Union on April 23. Osorio quietly enjoyed one of his most productive individual seasons in 2022 and without him in the team, TFC have struggled to find any creativity from the midfield. With four goal contributions in his eight appearances this season, Toronto have averaged 1.5 goals per match with Osorio on the pitch, compared to the 0.4 mark when he hasn’t been involved.
According to TFC insider John Molinaro, Bradley shared on Thursday that he hopes Osorio will be back in full training next week. Aside from that update, it will be the same absentees on Saturday, with no other changes to the health report of the squad.
With matches starting to come thick and fast, as they say, Bradley might opt to shuffle around the team for the Minnesota matchup in hopes of keeping his players fresh. Rosted, Raoul Petretta, Brandon Servania, and CJ Sapong could be candidates to start after finding themselves on the bench for the midweek game against the Fire.
Minnesota United are currently in 7th place in the Western Conference, with 19 points through their first 15 games played. The Loons come into Saturday’s contest having lost their last match on the road to Austin FC, with a late Sebastián Driussi goal giving the hosts a 2-1 win.
It’s been a tale of two fates for Adrian Heath’s side in 2023, as his team have been strong on their travels, but poor on their home turf. Minnesota have just one win in six at Allianz Field compared to four in nine on the road.
Similarly to TFC, Minnesota have struggled to find consistent goalscoring in 2023, having scored 14 times in 15 matches. Only three clubs average fewer goals per game than the Loons.
South African forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane leads his team with four goals and comes into the Toronto match in good form, with two strikes in his last four league matches, including a stoppage-time winner in Portland on May 20.
On the injury front, Minnesota will be without Finnish midfielder Robin Lod for the foreseeable future after he tore his meniscus. Two key players could be returning to help the team soon, though. Defender Bakaye Dibassy is nearing his return to the field after a lengthy layoff, having suffered a ruptured quadricep tendon in August 2022. Designated Player Emanuel Reynoso could also find himself on the teamsheet shortly after being suspended by his club for not reporting to preseason activities. The Argentine playmaker is now back in Minnesota and participating in team activities.
As one DP returns, another is set to depart. Luis Amarilla is reportedly being shipped out of Minnesota to Liga MX amidst rumours that Finnish forward Teemu Pukki could make the switch to MLS, though nothing is concrete just yet. Amarilla was not part of the matchday squad in Minnesota’s last match.
Meanwhile, Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair will be between the sticks against his hometown team. The 2022 MLS All-Star has made 30 saves this season, helping him keep five clean sheets.
Another Canadian who fans won’t get to see on Saturday is former TFC defender Doneil Henry. The 30-year-old centre-back was waived by his club in the buildup to this weekend’s match. Henry failed to make an appearance for Minnesota’s senior side after signing with the team in December 2022.
Match Details
Opponent: Minnesota United
Kickoff time: 8:30 pm ET
Watch: MLS Season Pass, TSN
Stadium: Allianz Field, Saint Paul, Minn.
One of the worst home teams vs one of the worst road teams. Brace yourselves.
Very winnable game but I see 4 3 3, so hopes are not high.
This team is so bad, man, so fucking bad. We need a new strain of Covid or something to pop up and suspend the league again because I can’t keep watching this shit.
Toronto should close to if not on par with a team like Philly. Great organization, every knows what to do, super direct but instead they’re this. I’m leaving if I’m Insigne & Bernardeschi. They could go play in a proper team, in a good league, still make good money and instead they’re here just rotting away.
They came for the money and they’re still getting $paid$. They would make half as much anywhere else. No one needs to feel sorry for them. They can wipe their tears with the extra $millions.
I don’t feel sorry for them, I’m embarrassed for them lmaoo
You are talking about TFC. No game is winnable, so long as this asshole is the manager, general manager, whatever title he wants to call himself. He keeps on proving it. An everready bunny.
Decent first 10 minutes
Hedges hurt
Gee zero zero first half no one saw that coming
-Both teams had a couple of big chances. Even 1st half overall. Not bad from the road team’s perspective.
-Insigne is trying to work with his teammates a little more, which is a good sign.
-Mabika continues to really impress me. Finally some stable CB play!
-Sapong’s first touch is abysmal from the games I have seen him. He must have scored his goals from headers or with speed/power. I like his work rate, though.
-JMR made some silly mistakes but I’ll take it from him as a work-in-progress.
Sapong is garbage. Get him off and play Kerr for the rest of the season. I don’t care if Kerr goes on to not score a single goal, I don’t want to see Sapong. He’s on a short term contract and shouldn’t be getting any more minutes.
JMR is Jayden Nelson 2.0 and sooner or later people are going to start realizing.
Insigne & Bernardeschi have to not just be wingers but they need to do what Pozuelo was doing, going into midfield, move the ball around, get it forward. They’re wingers, why is a winger having to go the DM’s position to pick up the ball when in possession?
If this club allows Inter Miami to sign Tata Martino and sticks with Bob then they are ****
We don’t have a number 9 forsure kerr is marginally better having said that it makes no difference we shouldn’t be playing 4 3 3 if we dont have a decent number 9. JMR hasn’t played great but he’s alot better than nelson without the ball and I think he would be better on the wing in a 3 5 2, he will never do well in a 4 3 3. And yes this club is dumb enough to let Tata go to Miami, we have to dig deep to find a club dumber than ours.
I’m thinking of Kerr’s development. Sapong is finished, at least Kerr might get better.
JMR is dusted bro. Nelson 2.0 I’m calling it now.
Watch the language at the end, please.
Another impotent attack. Hopefully second half will be better.
Anyone find the new MLS theme by Hans Zimmer to be derivative of Trampoline by Shaed? Very similar chord sequence
That fact it’s taken this long to play one of the DPs as a #10 is craaaaazy. Two years spent getting absolutely nothing from a 4-3-3.
Bob actually switched something up! Fede in the middle, Kerr on the right wing.
Something interesting to watch, finally!
That touch by sapong in the box there should be charged as a felony
Playing it to sapong is like playing it to a wooden post. You just hope the bounce off him falls to a teammate.
This is sooo much better. Having Fede in the AM spot brings some creativity and skill where it is most sorely needed.
Why oh why did it take Bradley so long to try it?
it worked the Italians looked good together there, golly gee batman would of thought trying something other than a 4 3 3 would work
Who would of though*
By the Grace of God, Bob finally made a meaningful change and it worked.
Thought*
Nice passing and well worked goal, and Sapong’s mishit didn’t blow the chance.
Put in petrella over franklin right now, he’s gonna cost us
Franklin – are you kidding? He bailed us out so many times along with Mabika. Rosted gave two free kicks in dangerous areas and didn’t defend on goal and he was on for a few minutes.
Franklin and Laryea have been are most consistent over last 5-6 games… even Bernadeschi and Insigne have had more embarassing games and they earn more per game than he gets all season.
Franklin lost the ball tons of times he’s not better than petretta his first touch is awful. He works hard should of definitely been subbed 100 percent.
Bob we have two subs left, u do know that right
Rosted — two free kicks in a row… needs to be sharper
That was insane from Mabika
MAKE A GOD DAMN CHANGE U MORON
Mabika worked too hard for his team mates to let him down on that goal…. brutal.
THANKS BOB….don’t make a change u absolute disgrace of a coach thanks for giving another 2 points
Mabika made 2 goal saving blocks.
Rosted is absolute garbage.
We turtled like a trash team as soon as we got the lead. “OMG we got a lead! Don’t lose it, now! Everyone stay back!!”
Such a fragile team.
Team was dead tired have to make all yours subs, u can feel it slip away Kaye was dying out there…Bob out coached again then again that happens every week I shouldn’t be surprised…what a disgrace of a sporting director and coach .
It’s hard supporting this team when they lack the character to win a road game all season. No TFC coach knows how to defend a lead, yet Mabika, Laryea, Hedges when on, and Franklin were all good at back… Same with Johnson… but the midfield needs to defend and create…. simply not good enough at the moment. Just close down the damn shot!!! always dirty second shots late in the game…
Franklin lost the ball way too may times his first touch isn’t good enough should of been taken off. He does work hard as I mentioned before and he has taken steps forward but his first touch isn’t MLS level
Petretta on the bench btw, I know he’s not a central defender but he’s a defender none the less.
All this talk of players being “bigger than the club”, right now we have coach who is bigger than the club. It took him what, 30 games to try a DP in the #10. No changes to the team defensively when Minnesota get closer & closer to scoring in the final 10 minutes of the game. Bob is either legitimately an idiot, or he knows he’s never getting fired. If he’s never getting fired why do anything different?
Bob Out, Manning Out, MLSE Out.
We have a coach who thinks he’s the smartest guy in this sports history and his arrogance to change is appalling…how he could not make a change in the last 15 minutes when we had to is shocking to say the least when petretta is on the bench and his other son was dying on the field. And one other change beyond that as well as whoever it maybe. Make your full 5 subs u arrogant disgrace of a coach.
Trying to find positives, it’s clear why Aime is still starting. Also clear Rosted is not very good without Hedges at his side.
Bob moved a DP to the middle, on purpose, let’s not pretend the drama caused by Fede did not have an impact. I’m just curious if they are training that tactical change at all.
If Kerr is Bob’s idea of “doing great things” then our expectations are too high. When a younger player makes you miss Michael for ball control, the club isn’t moving forward. And if MAK is the Bradley heir to the midfield throne, count me upset.
The late goal was mostly mental, the team is in a pretty deep funk so there is no switch that can be flicked. In that situation, late in the game, Bob should have them focussed on SJ getting his 100th clean sheet, that would give them a positive focus to replace the dread and panic they face every game at the 75th minute.
If it’s true Richie will finish the season here, extended loan, then that goal creation is the basis of this how the team will get in a groove.
The late goal u could see come and mental mistakes come when u r dead tired. The bottom line is we could all see this game slipping the last 15 minutes and for bob not to use his last subs was criminal.
Even just to break up/slow the momentum and give his guys a couple extra breathers.
Does he have that little trust in Petretta and whoever else? Then why are they even on the bench?
They are paying petretta loads of money by no means do I think he’s even criscito’s level but in these circumstances guys are dying u put in an extra defender to see it out. And one other guy whoever like u said to give us a breather. The only thing bob has been good at is being the 2nd best head coach in every game since being at tfc.
Again. FOBM. FOBB. Until that happens, no playoffs (and they are still so close, unbelievably (what a f****** league)).
Positives:
That was Mabika’s best match in a TFC shirt. I hope he continues to improve with a vet like Hedges showing him the ropes.
Fede at CAM.
Our Italians hugging each other after the goal.
Insigne tracking back.
Negatives:
Strikers who can’t seem to….SCORE.
Kaye once more giving up the ball cheaply.
Hedges coming off.
Rosted just a *bit* off in his return.
Bradley looking like he has no clue what to do with a 1-0 lead away.
Looking through the highlights I just noticed that MAK deflected the tying goal in. SJ probably saves that if it wasn’t for the deflection. And that was after Mabika saved MAK’s horrendous miscue in the 1st half.
Bob needs to take his ‘other son’ with him when ML$E finally wake up and fire him.
Almost every player that has been brought in has been bad both financially and more importantly on the pitch. Throw in his lack of coaching decisions with game time substitutions and tactics and of course the” Mike” factor and you have absolutely the worst person that could be running this team, I still believe with a third DP brought in the season can be saved, but my mind is on the Season ticket renewal date and the massive exit which will occur, only this will rid us of this wreck of a coach and son, the Bradleys.
I know your standards are pretty specific with respect to player expectations at this pro level but I’m not as down on some new players.
It looks like Alonso, Kobe, Aime, Brandon all play beyond their expectations as depth pieces. They perform beyond the level of the “veteran” players they are supposed to support ie Rosted, Petretta, MB, MAK. I think Kobe is staying in the starting rotation partly because Lorenzo has asked Bob for that based on how Kobe works in synch. Much like what we saw with Alonso earlier this season.
Bob has the pieces to win more games, but does not sub properly. He has started to modify tactics, which is mind numbing after a year of stubborn refusal. He is a terrible Sporting Director as he does not know how to use the MLS rules on salaries so he has created a dysfunctional locker room and sick bay.
The only reason Bob is still here seems to be the number of North America players on the roster who grew up being told he was a gatekeeper to the world of pro football. Turfing him now would upset that group further so this change in Bob’s tactics seems to be him recognizing that his reputation is now crumbling with that group. He has to grab onto the coat tails of the current Euro stars to get some street cred.
Well said Coach! But I’m worried the damage that Bob has created might be at a point of no return, I learned that Fede switched agents last week , this is something you don’t do if you are planning to stay with the same team for the next four years, If Fede leaves this team is done , finished, back to the early days of Mariner and Anselmi. The mass exodus of season seat holders will be staggering.
That point about changing agents is interesting.you are correct, a 4 year sure contract does not need a new set of eyes less it’s about the change.
I think MLSE sees this too and it explains why they are dragging his name in mud after the Bob comments. Everything he said was true and the things he pointed to have started to change. But the thing people want to talk about with the media focus are his vape habits and dissing the “Bradley boys”.
Its still insubordination tho – even if you agree- in fact, especially when you agree. Come on, Coach, you’re telling us you’d be ok with one of your players slagging you off in a post game presser?
I don’t coach pro soccer, under a microscope, so I don’t tell Bob (or anyone) what tactics to use. I comment when they are not working, but only when I see a pattern. This is the world of extremely well pain professional coaches.
Any time I have had problems with athletes I’ve recognize the shared role in getting there and put solutions in front of the player, usually publicly in team settings, to have a pathway forward. Fede has ever struck me as wanting things only his way, he constantly has referenced the “project” he was told he would be part of so communicating about that is part if the package when he is misled.
Think about the structure of MLS, salaries and DP’s; can you really use the term “insubordinate” with a DP in his position? Honest question, I’d see coaches and DP’s as partners in an MLS project. I’d sell it to them that way and engage them in those terms. This is exactly what Fede forced with his comments and we now see with Bob modifying tactics and playing “best performers” over highest paid. Exception being MAK.
Toronto media and the podcast boys can talk all they want about vaping and Fede calling out Bob and his son but the FC fan base has a high soccer IQ we know that Bradley has created a mess, Bob and MLSE wanting to shame Fede by benching him is a losing battle. Bob puts up a good front but he definitely knows that he has totally failed at building this club, my advice to Bob would be to make sure he does whatever it takes to keep the Italians happy, there is no two ways about this , if Lorenzo and Fede are happy then Bob and Manning stay employed.
“Fede switched agents last week”
Fede is likely as good as gone then of this is in fact true…changing agents from the one that got him here is not a good sign. Either Fede wants to renegotiate his contract (or the clauses in it) or he wants out. Bases on Fedes’s performance against the Loons he is giving his everything in order to raise interest in his services. Perhaps the switch in his position was to display his versatility and less about BB’s tactical acumen.