Jules-Anthony Vilsaint scores in Toronto FC debut to tie visiting Crew 1-1

Article content

Canada’s Jules-Anthony Vilsaint made an immediate impact in his Toronto FC debut.

The Montreal native secured the late equalizer in a 1-1 draw against the Columbus Crew on Saturday at BMO Field mere moments after stepping onto the pitch.

Vilsaint, wearing No. 99, darted toward the right side of the net, accepted a long cross from fellow TFC newcomer Djordje Mihailovic and stuffed it into the middle of the net to level the score in the 77th minute — just two minutes after entering as a substitute.

TFC received a scare soon after when Columbus midfielder Daniel Gazdag appeared to restore the Crew’s lead, but the goal was ruled offside after a review.

Columbus’ Diego Rossi opened the scoring in the eighth minute after a pass from captain Steven Moreira in the box deflected to him off TFC’s Sigurd Rosted. Rossi made no mistake, depositing the ball under the outstretched arms of TFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson for his team-leading 14th goal of the season.

Johnson made a pair of clutch stoppage-time saves to preserve the Major League Soccer draw, which marked the second straight game in which TFC earned a late tie against a top opponent. The Canadian side also battled the league-leading Philadelphia Union to a 1-1 result one week earlier.

Thanks to Vilsaint, who was acquired from his hometown club on Wednesday in a deal for midfielder Matty Longstaff, TFC (5-8-13) maintained its slim playoff hopes alive with the late point.

Meanwhile, Columbus (13-9-5) missed the chance to leapfrog Nashville and Cincinnati, who were both idle, for second in the Eastern Conference.

Columbus’ Jacen Russell-Rowe, a Toronto native, entered the game for the Crew to begin the second half.

The match marked Toronto’s first home game since July 12 when it hosted Atlanta in a 1-1 draw.

Toronto’s next outing comes next Sunday on the road against Atlanta, which entered the day tied with TFC for 12th in the East.