MLS Review: Toronto, Houston tie in bad-tempered affair

Posted Jul 2, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jul 2, 2010 at 11:48 AM

A bad-tempered match saw more red cards than goals at BMO Field as honors ended even between Toronto and Houston in Thursday night’s Major League Soccer action.

HOUSTON 1, TORONTO 1: Dan Gargen’s late goal earned a point for the Reds as they maintained their undefeated home record this season despite seeing a pair of players sent off as the game became increasingly chippy as it went on.

The first major flashpoint came in the 62nd minute as Houston’s Joseph Ngwena and Toronto’s Julian de Guzman were both ejected after a set-to. Not long after, Brian Ching gave Houston the lead, flicking a header home from Danny Cruz’s corner.

The equalizer also came from a corner, Gargen rising at the far post to head back into the left side of the net leaving Pat Onstad stranded. Both sides pushed for a winner, Toronto in particular, but it finished the game with nine men when Amadou Sayang was shown his second yellow card late in stoppage time.

TODAY’S GAME

NEW ENGLAND (3-8-2) AT REAL SALT LAKE (7-3-3): RSL will try to continue to bridge the gap between itself and the Los Angeles Galaxy against a Revolution side that was very poor in its return to action last Sunday against Chicago.

RSL holds a 17-game undefeated streak at home, but were held scoreless by San Jose in their last outing. While it’s unlikely Robbie Findley returns to the line-up after his return from the World Cup, captain Kyle Beckerman could make his first appearance since May 22 after suffering from a left foot injury.

New England has won only once in 10 games, and need a turnaround in their season if they are to reach the playoffs for the ninth straight season. With numerous injuries, former South Florida standout Zak Boggs the latest with a concussion, midfielder Shalrie Joseph will be needed to raise his game and lift his teammates if the Revs are to get a result tonight.