Music: {allcanada} Henry delivers late to send TFC past Crew

Saturday, May 31, 2014

{allcanada} Henry delivers late to send TFC past Crew

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TORONTO – Of all people, it was Doneil Henry who came to the rescue for Toronto FC.

Henry’s headed goal off a free kick deep into injury time allowed TFC to earn a 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew on Saturday evening before 22,591 fans at BMO Field.

Jermain Defoe also scored his team-leading fifth and sixth goals for the Reds, who improved to 5-4-1 on the Major League Soccer season.

The winning goal was sweet redemption for Henry, as the young Canadian defender has taken heavy criticism in some media circles this campaign for his uneven play and propensity for committing silly errors.

To be honest, Henry was far from his best again in this game from a defensive standpoint, but his late winner will be the only thing that fans remember on this night.

Columbus was missing suspended star forward Federico Higuain, who leads the team in scoring with six goals this campaign.

Toronto was without influential midfielder Michael Bradley (international duty with the United States), captain Steven Caldwell (suspension), and Collen Warner (family wedding). Also, Jonathan Osorio and Jackson returned to the starting lineup after returning from injury layoffs.

Without Caldwell, Toronto’s back line was disorganized, and the young central defensive duo of Nick Hagglund and Henry looked out of sorts. The Crew took full advantage, working the ball straight down the middle with little pressure from TFC before Justin Meram curled a beautiful shot into the far corner in the 18th minute. Moments later Bradley Orr limped off with a hamstring injury.

Columbus’ lead lasted three minutes. Jackson fed a pass for Defoe, and the Englishman was tugged down by Crew defender Tyson Wahl inside the box after giving him the slip. Defoe converted the ensuing penalty to make it 1-1.

TFC couldn’t build on its momentum, though, as dire passing and a lack of possession dictated their play in the second half. Then in the 65th minute the Crew retook the lead. Agustin Viana out-jumped Henry for a corner kick into the box and connected on a bullet header that sailed into the back of the net.

Defoe pulled Toronto level with nine minutes in regulation, collecting a lovely through pass from Gilberto and firing it past a helpless Steve Clark in the Columbus net.

Clark came up big minutes later when he palmed away a piledriver of a shot off the foot of Dwayne De Rosario from the edge of the box. But he couldn’t do anything about Henry’s header, as the TFC defender beautifully connected off a Daniel Lovitz free kick.

NOTES: These two sides will meet for the third and final time this season, on Aug. 9 in Columbus… Columbus leads the all-time series with 10 wins and seven draws in 21 meetings with TFC… Toronto FC’s next game is against the Montreal Impact in Wednesday’s second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship final. The teams drew 1-1 in the first leg in Toronto this past week… TFC returns to MLS action on June 7 at home versus the San Jose Earthquakes…

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