Jimmy Medranda scored in the 75th minute in his first game with the Columbus Crew, moments after entering the match as a substitute, and the Crew earned a 1-1 draw with host Toronto FC Saturday night at BMO Field.
Medranda, who came over from the Seattle Sounders in the offseason as a free agent, got clear of the line of defenders and appeared close to being offside before he blooped the ball over the goalkeeper’s head. The linesman’s flag went up for offside, but after a review on video, the goal was allowed.
Columbus (1-1-1, 4 points) was the attacking team in the final minutes after Medranda’s goal. But the Crew could not come up with a winner before time expired despite attempts such as Lucas Zelarayan hitting the left goalpost with a shot in the first minute of second half stoppage time.
Toronto FC (0-1-2, 2 points) took the lead on Deandre Kerr’s 25th-minute goal.
Kerr got forward to take teammate Jonathan Osorio’s pass in stride, then took a touch and fired with his left foot from distance, the ball eluding Columbus goalkeeper Eloy Room. It was the 20-year-old academy product’s first goal of the season and the fourth of his career.
Toronto had other chances to score before and after Kerr’s goal. Sigurd Rosted’s header was blocked from the center of the box in the 22nd minute, and later, shots by Richie Laryea and Osorio were saved.
Federico Bernardeschi was the point man on the Toronto attack, setting up teammates for chances. The Italian forward came over from club giant Juventus.
The Crew’s Darlington Nagbe was active early. After teammate Zelarayán’s shot at close range was blocked in the second minute, Nagbe sent in some quality corner kicks for scoring chances that were turned away or were missed.
His own shot in the 28th minute was saved by Toronto FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
–Field Level Media
