Depleted Toronto FC and New York Red Bulls play to scoreless draw

Toronto FC and the visiting New York Red Bulls drew 0-0 Wednesday in what was essentially an MLS war of attrition with the two teams missing a combined 20-plus players due to injury, suspension or international duty.

With both sides sporting makeshift defences, there were scoring chances at each end. But the finishing wasn't there.

The Red Bulls defence hung on as Toronto pressed in the final minutes.

The two teams came into the game mired at the bottom of the Eastern Conference at 2-4-6, with the Red Bulls ahead on goal difference. The good news is both were just three points out of a playoff position.

Still, TFC's recent woes seemed reflected in the stands, with plenty of seats available and an announced attendance of 22,560 at BMO Field on Pride Night.

Toronto's injury crisis at centre back was exacerbated by the surprise omission of Mark-Anthony Kaye, a midfielder who spent time helping out the backline in the weekend 2-0 loss in Montreal because of the absence of the first-choice centre back pairing of Matt Hedges and Sigurd Rosted plus backup Shane O'Neill.

The club said Kaye was dealing with a lower-body injury.

Fullback Richie Laryea lined up beside Aime Mabika in the heart of the TFC defence. Toronto had three 20-year-olds in the starting 11 in Kobe Franklin, Deandre Kerr and Kosi Thompson and its six-man bench — which included TFC II loanee Anthony Couric — had an average age of 22.

The Red Bulls were also without their first-choice centre back duo due to suspension.

Coming into the game, Toronto had lost three straight in all competitions and won just one of its previous nine games (1-4-4). TFC had been outscored 10-4 in losing four of its last five.

Toronto was looking to avoid a third consecutive home loss