Toronto FC keeper Alex Bono on fire against the Chicago Fire as Reds win 2-1
Author of the article:
Steve BufferyPublishing date:
Jul 24, 2021 • 24 minutes ago • 3 minute read • Join the conversation
Toronto FC goalkeeper Alex Bono slings the ball back into play against the Chicago Fire on Saturday night at Soldier Field. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski /USA Today Sports Article content It’s appropriate that Saturday night’s match between Toronto FC and the Chicago Fire was played at Soldier Field because TFC keeper Alex Bono deserved a medal.
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Article contentBono was an absolute wall for the Reds in a 2-1 Toronto victory, making a career-high 13 saves, many of the outstanding variety.
The victory allowed TFC to pass Chicago in the MLS Eastern Conference standings. The Reds are now two spots from last place.
“Coming into Chicago and getting road points is never easy, and that’s really all that matters,†said Bono. “We learned to suffer together and grind out a result.â€
To say TFC were fortunate to pick up three points would be a major understatement, though Toronto did have a depleted lineup. Chicago recorded 31 shots to eight by TFC, as well has 14 shots on goal to three by the visitors. The Fire also held an edge in possession â€" 56%-44% and recorded 12 corner kicks to one by TFC.
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Article contentTFC is now unbeaten in four straight matches since head coach Chris Armas was fired and replaced by Javier Perez.
The Reds have to keep collecting victories to have a chance at flirting with a playoff spot. TFC has 19 regular-season games remaining, 12 at home, and have to leapfrog over five teams to make it into the playoffs. The Reds are unbeaten in 12 straight matches against Chicago (nine wins, three draws) dating back to April 2015.
Left winger Yeferson Soteldo, who has been a revelation on the attack since joining the Reds as a DP this season, scored in the second minute to put TFC ahead 1-0. Despite being mauled by the Fire for most of the match, second-half substitute Nick DeLeon, who missed the last two TFC games at BMO Field while he was in quarantine, scored in the 76th minute to put Toronto ahead 2-0 when he picked up a pass from Patrick Mullins to the right side of the box and right-footed his shot into the far corner. Chicago answered right away, however, when Alvaro Medran right-footed a shot into the right corner.
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Article contentVeteran defender Justin Morrow was a late scratch from the starting XI for TFC (for precautionary reasons after playing 90 minutes in both games earlier in the week) and replaced by young centre back Luke Singh, who had to play out of position. The Reds missed Morrow and certainly all the other veteran defenders unavailable for Saturday’s match.
“We bent a lot. We were bending, bending, but we really didn’t break,†said Bono. “We get to go home as a group, go see our families after a really, really tough week, a tough stretch of three games. I think showed a lot of real progress. That’s all I really care about.â€
Toronto was without a number of key players lost to international duty and injury, including: Ayo Akinola (knee injury), goalkeeper Quentin Westberg (finger) and midfielders Auro (foot/ankle). At the Concacaf Gold Cup are Jonathan Osorio and Richie Laryea (Canada), Kemar Lawrence (Jamaica) and Eriq Zavaleta (El Salvador).
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Article contentTFC’s goal in the second minute came after a good lead pass by 18-year-old midfielder Ralph Priso to Tsubasa Endoh after a Chicago turnover. Endoh deflected it to Yeferson Soteldo in the box and the Venezuelan international tapped it into the far corner with his right foot. Priso was arguably the best TFC player on the night.
After Soteldo’s goal to open the game, Toronto pretty much fell apart defensively, their depleted backline a major problem. But it was Bono who kept the Fire from piling up goals, making big save after big save. Perez substituted forwards Jozy Altidore and Mullins into the match for Dom Dwyer and Endoh to start the second half and that seemed to settle the Reds down … somewhat, though Altidore took a foul that resulted in a Alejandro Pozuelo goal being called back.
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Being on the back foot for most of the game started to take a toll on TFC with Priso and then Singh going down in the second half.
“We’re trying to send a real message to everyone, including all of our fans in Toronto: Stick with us and we’re going to take you places. We’ll take you where you want to go,†said Bono.
SBuffery@postmedia.com
Twitter @Beezersun
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