Toronto FC tie Philadelphia Union 1-1

Jack McInerney scored in the 91st minute to give the Philadelphia Union a 1-1 tie in MLS play Saturday as Toronto FC, reduced to 10 men after 41 minutes, leaked a late goal yet again.

The young striker saved the day for the visitors with a low shot through traffic after some extended pressure from Philadelphia (5-5-5). The late goal extended Toronto’s MLS winless streak to 11.

McInerney also scored in second-half stoppage time on April 13 to earn Philadelphia a 1-1 tie with Toronto when the teams met at PPL Park. Toronto (1-7-6) has now lost 11 points in seven games this season due to last-minute goals.

McInerney, named MLS Player of the Month in April and May, came into the game tied for the league lead with nine goals. He also led MLS with five game-winning goals.

Rookie midfielder Jonathan Osorio’s goal in the 66th minute had looked like it might be the winner for struggling Toronto FC.

New Zealand substitute Jeremy Brockie made the goal with a fine swerving cross from the right flank. The 20-year-old Osorio, who won his first cap for Canada earlier in the week, flung himself at the ball and scored with a flying header.

It was the third goal of the season for the native of Brampton, Ont., who earned his second start after a fine showing of the bench last week in New England.

Toronto’s only win this season was March 9 at Rogers Centre, a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City.

The contest, an ill-tempered affair with plenty of shoving and three yellow cards for each side, was crucial for Toronto with Philadelphia occupying the fifth and last playoff spot in the East. The tie kept the gap between the two at 11 points.

Toronto has next weekend off before travelling to face league doormat D.C. United (1-9-2 ahead of Sunday’s match with Chicago).

Dutch striker Danny Koevermans was introduced for Toronto in the 86th minute, returning after more than 10 months out due to knee surgery.

The home side came out with purpose and dominated the first half Saturday. But one shot on goal proved to be a poor return and Toronto went into the locker-room at halftime tied 0-0 and down a man after defender Doneil Henry was sent off for a second yellow as the first half wound down.

Until Osorio’s goal, it looked like it might have been an evening of what might have been for Toronto, which was unable to convert its edge in possession into scoring chances.

Toronto entered the game having lost five straight in the league — scoring just twice in the process while being blanked three times. The club had won just once in its last 26 MLS games.

And the home side had not won at BMO Field since a 2-1 victory over Colorado on July 18, 2012. Koevermans tore up his knee four days earlier in a loss in New England. Toronto’s league record in his absence was 2-17-8.

Philadelphia came into the game having lost two of its last three league outings, conceding five goals to Montreal and four to Los Angeles in the losses.

The game drew an announced crowd of 19,221, short of a sellout on a hot, humid and occasionally rainy evening. The venue is expected to be full Sunday for the women’s friendly between Canada and the U.S.

Toronto came out firing on all cylinders, dominating possession while setting up shop in the Union end. Luis Silva had a pair of early chances, choosing to try for a shot that was blocked rather than feed Robert Earnshaw and then failing to get to a Bobby Convey low cross.

In the 20th minute, Philadelphia finally threatened Joe Bendik when Sebastien Le Toux, on a nice through ball from Keon Daniel, hammered a shot off the crossbar.

Philadelphia goalie Zac McMath and Henry were both yellow-carded in the 27th minute after a confrontation that saw McMath object to Henry getting in his way while trying to kick the all away.

Ryan Richter forced a save off McMath in the 35th after finding himself all alone in close.

Henry was sent off by referee Geoff Gamble in the 40th for a second yellow card when he scythed down Danny Cruz on the edge of the box. A poor free kick by Daniel helped Toronto escape further damage.

Darren O’Dea moved over to fill Henry’s space at centre back while Convey dropped back to left back. Toronto brought on left back Ashtone Morgan to start the second half, sacrificing Silva.

Toronto assistant coach Fran O’Leary, who clearly had plenty to say, waited for Gamble as the referee left the field after the first half.

Toronto has felt hard done by in recent weeks, with manager Ryan Nelsen arguing that his team deserved a penalty call in last weekend’s 2-0 loss in New England. The Toronto coaching staff clearly thought they deserved another when Silva went down early in the game.

Toronto’s staff has also argued that their games have drawn too many inexperienced officials.

Toronto defender Steven Caldwell’s header from a free kick was off target in the 61st minute and captain O’Dea forced a save off McMath with a good curling free kick.