Nelson's highlight-reel goal lifts TFC into draw with RSL

SANDY, Utah — Toronto FC remains a work in progress early in the MLS season, a group that can delight at one end and disappoint at the other. But it seems headed in the right direction under veteran coach Bob Bradley.

There was more proof of that Saturday when highlight-reel first MLS goals by 19-year-olds Kosi Thompson and Jayden Nelson helped Toronto rally for a 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake.

It was a rare point for Toronto (2-2-2) in Utah. TFC has not won in the Beehive State since its first visit there, a 2-1 victory in July 2007. Since then, Salt Lake has won eight of 10 (8-0-2) against Toronto.

"This is a very difficult place to play," said Bradley, who has given youth its chance this season and benefited from it Saturday.

RSL outshot Toronto 16-7 (4-3 in shots on target) and had eight corners to Toronto's three.

Nelson secured the tie when he stole the ball off Damir Kreilach after the Salt Lake captain got it from goalkeeper Zac MacMath. Nelson looked up, saw McMath was out of position and fired it home from 35 yards-plus in the 79th minute.

"A fantastic goal," said Bradley, who has seen a few. "The confidence, just the recognition of the moment where the 'keeper's out and now you can take advantage of it."

Salt Lake cried foul but the goal survived video review with referee Marcos de Oliveira ruling Nelson had not fouled. The goal came in Nelson's 20th MLS regular-season appearance.

"It looks like there was contact," said RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni. "It's the referee's discretion … I was hoping that he was going to overturn the call but I didn't work out in our favour tonight. I hope in the future we'll get a break."

Toronto defender Carlos Salcedo, who had a difficult game in returning to where he started his