Match Report: Toronto FC 2 - 2 AIK Stockholm | OneFootball

Toronto FC faced AIK Stockholm Fotboll on a sunny (if not a little windy) Sunday afternoon in Marbella, Spain and walked away with a 2-2 draw. With goals from TFC youngsters Deandre Kerr and Marckus Cimermancic, the Reds showed determination to come from behind to earn a draw.

Toronto lined up with a fairly strong starting eleven against AIK:

Yarborough Franklin - Zimmerman - Thompson - LaryeaCifuentes - Coello - OsorioEtienne Jr. - Kerr - Mihailovic

With new signing Matheus Pereira and injured Theo Corbeanu still yet to see any minutes in preseason, Robin Fraser chose to insert William Yarborough, Kobe Franklin, Kosi Thompson, and Derek Etienne Jr. to the lineup to round our the starting squad.

Toronto employed the high press effectively in the first half and was rewarded with a 13th minute goal from Deandre Kerr, who headed home a Djordje Mihailovic cross inside the box. Mihailovic was given space on the right wing thanks to a clever one-two passing sequence with Derek Etienne Jr.

AIK equalized in the 51st minute of the game thanks to Johan Hove converting from the penalty spot. The penaltiy awarded after a Richie Laryea foul in the box. Prior to the foul, Robin Fraser could be heard shouting, "No foul! No foul! No foul!" And Richie fouls a player in the box for a penalty.

AIK went ahead in the 78th minute after winger Zadok Yohanna got on the end of a Bersant Celina pass into the box. There were a number of TFC players defending in front of the net but were caught watching as the ball was crossed and Yohanna made a run to slot it home.

It took until the second minute of injury time for Toronto FC to equalize. Markus Cimermancic was the player to get a foot on it after a goalmouth scramble from a corner. Jonathan Osorio swung the ball into the box from the corner only to have the ball richochet around several players' feet until Cimermancic tucked it past the AIK keeper.

Red-y for Primetime

Djordje Mihailovic is the real deal. Many of us were questioning the amount of money spent, $8 million, on Mihailovic last August when he arrived in Toronto from the Colorado Rapids. Not only is he a great player with the ball at his feet, he elevates others around him. For instance, he created space for himself on the right wing by dribbling around a few defenders before he crossed the ball into the box. Deandre Kerr will be able to score some goals with reliable service from the wing. Mihailovic can also slot into the midfield as a number ten to be a creative force in the middle of the pitch. If Toronto FC can sign a couple more attacking players, the team could be competitive this year.

Seeing Red

While the starting squad may be serviceable, it became evident that the substitutes need a bit of work. Kobe Franklin started the game and AIK discovered that their attack would be more effective if they played down the left wing more, where Kobe was defending. Additionally, the midfield looked like an absolute mess once Jose Cifuentes exited the game. Unfortunately, the younger players might not be quite ready for regular minutes. There is a silver lining though - many of these players are still young and can flourish with time spend playing with TFC II.Luka - my man - what is with that hair? You look like you're sporting the Justin Beiber from 2009. Listen, I'm happy that you're the number one keeper for Toronto now. - your world is my world, and your fight is my fight. However, Imma tell you one time - go and get a fresh cut before the start of the season.

Toronto FC continues their preseason on Wednesday, February 11 – by facing Norwegian side Fredrikstad FK.