Toronto FC, Columbus battle to 1-1 draw

Toronto FC and the host Columbus Crew played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

Wessam Abou Ali gave Columbus an early 1-0 lead, and Richie Laryea responded for Toronto in the second half.

With the draw, Columbus (13-7-11, 50 points) has just one win over its last six matches (1-2-3).

Meanwhile, Toronto (5-13-12, 27 points), officially eliminated from MLS Cup playoff contention, stretched its streak of consecutive draws to six matches. The Reds are now 0-11-6 when conceding first this season.

Laryea levelled the score 1-1, putting a Jonathan Osorio through ball past a diving Patrick Schulte in the 51st minute.

Theo Corbeanu had an opportunity to give the Reds a lead in the 66th minute as his left-footed strike forced Schulte to make a big save.

Columbus had a chance at the go-ahead goal in the 86th minute after Steven Moreira was awarded a free kick, following a foul by Lazar Stefanovic just outside the area. However, the ensuing free kick from the edge of the box rolled wide to the right.

Then, in stoppage time, Andres Herrera had a glorious chance, but Luka Gavran made an excellent save.

Toronto controlled possession in the first half, but Columbus had three shots on target and led 1-0 at halftime.

The Crew took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute as Abou Ali put a Max Arfsten pass between the legs of keeper Luka Gavran. Abou Ali, who has three goals in the last three matches, left the game in the 32nd minute with an apparent injury.

Abou Ali also had a chance in the seventh minute as Hugo Pickard sent him in all alone with a through ball, but Djordje Mihailovic made an excellent defensive play to take away the scoring threat.

Up next, Columbus travels to Chicago next Saturday, while Toronto hosts Inter Miami.

--Field Level Media