Columbus keeper forces draw vs. Toronto with stoppage time goal
TORONTO (AP) -- Columbus' William Hesmer became only the second
goalkeeper to score a goal in MLS history when he tied the game
in the second minute of second-half stoppage time to help the
Crew to a 2-2 tie with Toronto FC on Saturday.
The goal came off a scramble after a Columbus corner kick hit a
defender and bounced down. Hesmer settled it with a touch and
scored on a right-footed shot from 7 yards.
"I've seen in happen before back in England but I'm speechless,"
Toronto FC interim head coach Nick Dasovic said.
Columbus brought him up to the Toronto FC penalty area in an
all-out effort to gain a point.
"I've never gone into the box before, it's my first time ever,"
said Hesmer, who shot it past his counterpart Milos Kocic to
stun the crowd of 18,084 at BMO Field.
He is the first goalkeeper to score in an MLS match since New
York's Danny Cepero did it against the Crew in 2008.
"You don't see that happen very often," said Toronto midfielder
Jacob Peterson, who scored in the 38th minute to give Toronto
the lead. "I thought we should have come out of the game with
three points."
Maicon Santos scored the other goal for Toronto. Chad Marshall
gave Columbus a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute.
The Crew are one point behind New York for the Eastern
Conference lead. They need a victory next Sunday over
Philadelphia and a loss or tie by the Red Bulls on Thursday
against New England to win the division.