It should have been a penalty. When C.J. Sapong clattered in Jozy Altidore’s legs in the dying moments of yesterday’s 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union, the vast majority of the 26, 455 at BMO Field were expecting to see the referee point to the spot.
Instead, he did the complete opposite, awarding Philadelphia a free kick moments before blowing the final whistle. It ended up being the defining moment of the match, and one that cost Toronto FC a precious pair of home points in the tight race for top spot in the Eastern Conference.
But that was the choice Toronto FC made when they once again came out flat to start the match, lucky to only be trailing by a single goal at halftime.