Toronto FC defeated 2-1 by depleted FC Cincinnati side at BMO Field

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Toronto FC dropped a 2-1 decision to MLS Eastern Conference bottom-feeders FC Cincinnati at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon.

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The loss was TFC’s second in a row, and it snapped a three-game home field win streak for the Reds.

Trailing 2-0 in the second half, TFC turned the pressure on high in the final 30 minutes and were rewarded with a goal in the 65th minute by striker Jesus Jimenez, his seventh goal in nine MLS games (tied for most in the league). But the visiting Orange and Blue were able to close every Toronto attack and hold on for the road victory. TFC now have three wins, four losses and two draws this season.

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A sluggish and curiously indifferent first half buried the Reds as a depleted Cincinnati side came out with energy and pace and were clearly the better side early. Ian Murphy scored for Cincinnati in the first half and Luciano Acosta in the second as the visitors jumped ahead 2-0 before Jimenez answered for Toronto.

TFC has now conceded 19 goals in nine games, the second-most in MLS.

On the good news front, forward Ayo Akinola came into the game in the 74th for Toronto, the Brampton native’s first taste of game action since last July 18 when he injured his knee playing for Canada at the Gold Cup. With Cincy ahead 2-1 in the 77th minute, Akinola got the ball in his feet inside the box but couldn’t pull the trigger.