Kenji Mboma Dem scored the equalizing goal off an assist from Ayoub Jabbari in second-half stoppage time as visiting FC Cincinnati earned a 1-1 tie against Toronto FC on Saturday afternoon.
While FC Cincinnati (2-4-1, 7 points) played the final 19-plus minutes at a man disadvantage, they also overcame an own goal in the 83rd minute to earn a point.
Toronto FC took a 1-0 lead on an own goal when a crossing pass grazed the back of Josh Sargent’s head and was redirected off the right foot of Gilberto Flores.
Frustrated that he didn’t draw a foul call, Kevin Denkey was issued a yellow in the 70th minute after he slammed his cleat to the ground in protest. In the 71st minute, his elbow caught Benjamin Kuscevic in the jaw, the infraction occurred away from the play and Denkey was issued a second yellow and sent off.
Cincinnati had four shots on goal and Toronto (3-2-2, 11 points) – which is unbeaten (3-0-2) in its last five matches – also had four.
FC Cincinnati made its first solid run of the match in the sixth minute when Evander broke out of the midfield with possession and slid a pass beyond the Toronto backline to Tom Barlow. But, Barlow’s shot was smothered by Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran for the save.
It was a quiet first half until Evander drew a yellow card on Jonathan Osorio in first-half stoppage time which resulted in a restart just outside the box and even with the end line. He skipped a pass Matt Miazga headed towards the far post that forced a punch save from Gavran. The match was tied 0-0 at halftime.
At the start of the second half, Denkey was buried deep in the corner of FC Cincinnati’s attacking third. He slung a pass to Evander who couldn’t connect on a one-timer from six yards out. Moments later Nick Hagglund launched himself into an Evander corner kick Gavran turned away with his knees in the 54th minute.
In the 59th minute Sargent gathered a stretch pass from Daniel Salloi but Samuel Gidi’s left footed challenge from behind deflected the ball wide of the goal at the last second.
–Field Level Media
