Jesus Medina scored the game's only goal early in the second half, sending New York City FC to a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium on Wednesday.
With the loss and the Philadelphia Union's 2-1 win over Chicago Fire FC, Toronto's 41 points now trail the Union by three for the best record in MLS and the Supporters' Shield that comes with it.
NYCFC were on the front foot for much of the first half, with perhaps their best chance of the opening frame coming in the 23rd minute when Valentin Castellanos slipped behind the Toronto back line to receive a through ball from Keaton Parks that set him up with a shot on goal. Toronto goalkeeper Quentin Westberg had to make a quick reaction save to deny Castellanos and keep the match scoreless.
Toronto had a great look of their own in first-half stoppage time off a laser shot from distance from Nick DeLeon that beat NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson, only to ring off the post.
The Cityzens found the opener six minutes after the break as Castellanos teed up a distance shot that was initially saved by Westberg, but cashed home on the rebound by a charging Medina for his fourth goal of the season.
It would stand as the match-winner, as NYCFC managed to withstand a late surge by Toronto to claim all three points.
Goals
- 51' - NYC - Jesus Medina | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: They fared better than they did in their 5-0 defeat to Philadelphia in their last match, but it's still a second straight loss for Toronto FC at an inopportune time as they try and make a run at the Supporters' Shield. NYCFC, meanwhile, are still in the hunt for a top four spot in the East with 33 points from 21 matches.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: In a game with only one goal, it has to be Medina's match-winning tally.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: He didn't find the scoresheet himself, but Valentin Castellanos seemed to factor into many of NYCFC's dangerous chances, and it was his long-distance rocket that set Medina up with the rebound finish on the winner.
Up Next
- TOR: Sunday, November 1 vs. Inter Miami CF (7:30 pm ET | MLS Live on ESPN+ in US; TSN in Canada)
- NYC: Sunday, November 1 vs. New York Red Bulls (7 pm ET | MLS Live on ESPN+ in US; MLS Live on DAZN in Canada)
