3:1 Toronto New York Altidore Pozuelo Morgan Barlow 07.17.19 · League

Last year, the first-choice defense of Kemar Lawrence, Aaron Long, Tim Parker, and Michael Murillo was downright amazing. This year, week after week, various absences left the backline without some of its key players. So, as Metro was leaking goals, we weren't worried... too much. The back four will get together, and we will show them!

Sadly, that first-choice defense made two crucial mistakes, and Metro, who had the run of play most of the night in Toronto, fell 3:1 victims. Perhaps we should start getting worried.

With this being the middle of three games in a week, Chris Armas elected to do some squad rotation, resting Sean Davis, Daniel Royer, and Brian White for Vincent Bezecourt, Alejandro Romero Gamarra, and Tom Barlow. Amro Tarek missed his first game in a while to allow Parker to form that first-choice defense.

Toronto broke through just six minutes in, when ex-Metro Jozy Altidore's backheel ended up in the back of the net. Then, 20 minutes later, a completely needless foul by the usually-stellar Lawrence resulted in a penalty kick that Alejandro Pozuelo buried.

Metro had their share of chances, but it wasn't until the 63rd when they broke the ice. Second-half sub Derrick Etienne waltzed through the defense and server a precise pass to Barlow, parked next to the goal. Barlow converted, and Metro was down only one.

Alas, it was Murillo's time to make a boneheaded play, in the 72nd. Trying to shield the ball deep in Metro's penalty area, he ended up losing it to Ashtone Morgan, and that was that.

Metro has now allowed 31 league goals, two off last year's total, with 13 games left. Yes, we're worrying.

Lineup: Robles, Lawrence, Long, Parker, Murillo, Casseres, Rzatkowski, Bezecourt, Muyl, Romero Gamarra, Barlow. Subs: Etienne, Wright-Phillips, Royer.