Altidore’s stoppage time goal earns draw

Reds avoid season sweep while Montreal is still fighting for a playoff spot

Substitute Jozy Altidore scored on a long-range free kick in stoppage time to lift Toronto FC to a 1-1 tie with CF Montreal in MLS play Saturday, damaging Montreal’s playoff push.

Sunusi Ibrahim scored in the 55th minute and CF Montreal looked to have hung on for the victory. Toronto, which brought its big guns off the bench in the second half, had pressed for an equalizer but was stymied by goalkeeper James Pantemis until Altidore stepped up for the set piece in the 95th minute.

Altidore, who came on in the second half, beat Pantemis to the corner with a shot from well outside the penalty box.

NEXT: WEDNESDAY VS. PHILADELPHIA

The Montreal goal came off a cross from Zachary BraultGuillard. Toronto goalkeeper Quentin Westberg could not hang onto the ball and Ibrahim was left with a simple tap-in for his fourth goal of the season.

It came on Montreal’s first shot on target and the 19-yearold Nigerian youth international celebrated by racing over to the corner flag and kissing the turf, before being swallowed up by teammates in front of an announced crowd of 8,095 at BMO Field.

Montreal, which finished 18 points behind TFC last season, arrived 17 points ahead of Toronto and looking to consolidate its position above the playoff line.

Montreal (11-10-10) won both earlier meetings with Toronto (6-17-8) earlier this year, 4-2 in the season opener April 17 in Fort Lauderdale and 3-1 on Aug. 27 at Saputo Stadium. It has never won three straight over Toronto.

Coming off a mid-week 1-1 tie in Orlando, Montreal was unbeaten in its last three games (1-0-2). Toronto had lost its last two games, blanked 3-0 midweek in Miami and 2-0 last Saturday by visiting Atlanta. The Atlanta defeat officially eliminated TFC from playoff contention.

With Omar Gonzalez and Kemar Lawrence both injured, TFC captain Michael Bradley started at centre back in his 249th appearance for the club in all competitions.

Toronto hosts the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday before playing at Atlanta on Saturday.