Revolution hang on for dear point

TORONTO - It was as if Toronto FC found the on switch in the last 30 minutes against the Revolution last night.

Against a backdrop of a Ferris wheel and other amusement park rides outside BMO Field, the first half was outdone by an action-packed second half that helped Toronto FC earn a 1-1 tie in front of 20,461 fans.

The Revolution led at halftime, but Toronto FC coach John Carver was optimistic.

"I said to the guys at halftime, 'We did quite well, we defended quite well, we just lacked quality when we got into the final third," Carver said. "And I said, 'If we continue to play the way we played in the first half, defend a little bit better, and add to that quality in the final third, you'll get back into the game.' "

Toronto did get back into the game and tied it in the 66th minute.

Midfielder Rohan Ricketts, who consistently broke free to create chances for his teammates, sent the ball to the far post to Chad Barrett, who fired it into the lower left corner.

Ricketts was in position to score seven minutes later. Amado Guevara controlled the ball and released a pass to Ricketts, but the former Tottenham Hotspur couldn't get enough on the shot, sending it wide of the net.

On a night in which a Toronto FC fan sprinted on the field in the 90th minute, it seemed anything could be possible.

Despite losing the lead, Revolution coach Steve Nicol said he was not disappointed. A long travel day Friday caused by connecting flights and delays frustrated the players, who Nicol described as being slightly tired at the end of the game.

"We were passing the ball real well, and I thought we were dominating the game," said Nicol, who did not doubt his team's effort.

"Legs got tired, and when the legs get tired, the mind kind of follows afterward," midfielder Steve Ralston said.

But Ralston said he and his teammates have to play "smarter" in those situations and take better care of the ball.

Four Toronto chances in the first half were stopped by offside calls in the first 45 minutes, during which the Revolution took the lead.

Chris Tierney lofted a cross from the left to Taylor Twellman, who was waiting in the box out of distance of a red shirt. Twellman jumped to head the ball to the far left corner, putting the Revolution ahead in the 35th minute.

It was Twellman's fourth goal of the season in just his third MLS start.

For Tierney, a rookie from Wellesley, Mass., it was his first MLS assist.

Toronto almost tied the score two minutes later. Ricketts sprinted down the right side and sent a pass back to Kevin Harmse. But Harmse couldn't connect with the ball.

Toronto (7-9-5) is in need of points. It is tied for sixth in the Eastern Conference and has only two MLS victories since June 8.

The Revolution (11-6-4) are tied for first in the East with Columbus, which won last night.

New England begins CONCACAF Champions League play Tuesday against Joe Public FC in Trinidad and Tobago. On Sept. 2, Joe Public will travel to Foxborough to play the last game of the aggregate-goal series.