TORONTO

TFC gives up late goal, settles for 2-2 draw with Chicago Fire

Dhiren Mahiban The Canadian Press
Published Saturday, August 23, 2014 9:25PM EDT

Chicago Fire's Quincy Amarikwa celebrates scoring his late game tying goal as Toronto FC's goalkeeper Joseph Bendik (centre) and Jackson Goncalves lie on the ground during second half MLS action in Toronto on Saturday August 23, 2014. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)

Text:

TORONTO -- Toronto surrendered two separate leads Saturday and settled for a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire at BMO Field.

Gilberto gave Toronto a 2-1 lead in the 78th minute, but the home side was unable to hold on as Quincy Amarikwa tied it at 2-2 in the 90th minute.

A Fire own goal in the first half accounted for Toronto's other goal on the night while former TFC forward Robert Earnshaw had the lone goal for Chicago (4-6-14).

TFC (9-8-6) forward Luke Moore sprung Gilberto, who stepped around Chicago keeper Sean Johnson before depositing his fourth goal of the season.

However, Amarikwa put a cross from Lovel Palmer past a diving Joe Bendik in the final minute to earn the draw.

Earnshaw, who was making his Fire debut, erased a 1-0 deficit in the 70th minute after being subbed in for Sanna Nyassi. On a Grant Ward cross, Earnshaw dove through the area getting his head on the ball to tie the game 1-1.

A Bakary Soumare own goal gave Toronto an early 1-0 lead in the first half.

Justin Morrow's cross deflected off the Chicago defender and past Chicago keeper Sean Johnson in the third minute giving the home side an early advantage.

In the fifth minute, Gilberto had an excellent chance to give the home side a two-goal lead off a Dominic Oduro through ball, but Johnson got enough to deflect it wide

Steven Caldwell was subbed out in the 22nd minute after he appeared to aggravate the quad injury, which sidelined him for the Reds previous seven games. Caldwell was replaced by defender Doneil Henry and went straight to the Toronto dressing room.

Moments later, Jermain Defoe appeared to be sent in all alone on a through ball from Gilberto, but the play was called off side much to the dismay of the English striker.

Defoe, who was appearing in his first match sine July 30, returned from a groin injury and showed no ill-effects running well early.

Toronto's injury troubles continued in the second half as Morrow left the game in the 58th minute and was replaced by Jackson.

Defender Mark Bloom, who missed six games with a MCL strain, also returned from injury Saturday.

The third and final meeting between the two sides goes Sept. 13 at Toyota Park.

Notes: Outgoing MLSE President and CEO Tim Leiweke was in attendance Saturday evening to ensure the Red Patch Boys completed their ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.