Toronto FC beats Wanderers 3-1 in mid-season friendly
The Halifax Wanderers put in a valiant effort at the Wanderers Grounds on Thursday night versus Toronto FC before bowing out 3-1 to head coach Robin Fraser's MLS side.
Although a friendly, Toronto FC meant business as their starting XI included the likes of centre-back Walker Zimmerman, who has previously won MLS Defender of the Year, skilled Canadian attacker Theo Corbeanu and marquee striker Josh Sargent, whose $22-million transfer fee is worth roughly 17 times the entire Wanderers salary cap.
The Wanderers, like their MLS rivals, also sported a competitive line up, with regular starters Kareem Sow, Finn Linder, Lorenzo Callegari and Isaiah Johnston looking to help head coach Vanni Sartini's side to a win.
Despite the disparity in dollars, the Wanderers came out looking to play, with early attacking runs from Sven Zitman and Cyprian Kachwele drawing the applause of the crowd.
Goalkeeper Sinclair Astridge, who was making his first start in Halifax, was tested early, making an incredible leaping save to keep the score level.
However, only a few minutes later, Toronto FC made the most of their size advantage on a corner kick as Jackson Gilman rose above the crowd and headed a curling ball past Astridge to give his side a 1-0 lead.
The Wanderers weren't discouraged and continued to attack when in possession, with Johnston testing Toronto FC 'keeper Luka Gavran with a thunderous shot from outside the box in the 31st minute.
But the Wanderers kept pushing and, after a clever build up, sprung Spanish attacker Miguel Arilla, who took a shot, corralled the rebound and then beat Gavran with a strike to the top left corner to tie things up.
It looked like Toronto FC's Jules-Anthony Vilsaint was about to claw one back before the end of the half but his shot rang off the crossbar.
Both sides came out aggressively in the second stanza, with Kachwele testing Gavran early.
However, as the half progressed, and both coaches made substitutions, the pitch started to tilt in the Reds' favour. Sartini opted to give several of Halifax's younger players, including members of the Wanderers' U-21 program, action versus their MLS opponent with the clock winding down.
But a moment of individual brilliance, courtesy of a beautiful chip by promising Red Malik Henry, proved the difference maker as he cleanly beat Astridge and put the ball into the back of the net in the 84th minute.
Henry added an insurance maker in the 88th minute to make it 3-1 for Toronto FC.
The Wanderers' next league match is away at ATCO Field versus Cavalry FC on July 18.
Editor's Note: This article is part of our free coverage.
Josh Healey
Josh Healey
Josh Healey
Cover Photo Credit: Trevor MacMillan / Halifax Wanderers FC
