Chicago United fall short as Toronto II claim late victory
Chicago United lost 2-4 to Toronto II in the MLS Next Pro Group Stage on Sunday evening. The result leaves both sides level on 39 points from 26 matches, though Chicago remain fifth while Toronto sit sixth in the table. The visitors took control after a frantic opening half and held firm despite late pressure from the hosts.
Chicago took the lead in the 45th minute when T. Blyth found the net with barely three seconds left before the interval. Toronto responded immediately, D. Villanueva equalising in the 45th minute plus four. Yellow cards for A. De Rosario and O. Pineda in the first half hinted at the physical nature of the encounter, and M. Chisholm would add another for the visitors after the break.
Toronto turned it around after the break. T. Diawara's 57th-minute strike put the visitors ahead and B. Boneau picked up a booking for Chicago shortly after. The hosts pushed for an equaliser but E. Khodri sealed the win for Toronto in the 89th minute, though J. Nolan grabbed a consolation for the hosts in stoppage time at 5+2.
Chicago dominated possession at 53 per cent and registered seven shots on target compared to Toronto's six, but the visitors were more clinical with a 55 per cent accuracy rate. The hosts had 105 attacks to Toronto's 94 and won 21 throw-ins to eight, yet there was no value left at that number when the finishing was concerned. Chicago also took four corners while Toronto managed none.
Both sides now carry identical records of 13 wins and 13 losses from 26 games, but the result means Toronto move a step closer to closing the gap in the standings. Chicago's recent form had been impressive with a 7-2 win over Cincinnati II earlier in August, but this afternoon they were left flat-footed by a side that knew how to punish them when it mattered.