Better but not good enough. That was the overall Toronto FC verdict on its 1-1 tie with New York City FC on Wednesday night.

Better than Saturday's sloppy 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps. But not good enough to secure three points against a road-weary NYCFC team that elected to start stars David Villa and Andrea Pirlo on the bench.

Toronto (4-4-3) outshot New York 11-7 (7-3 in shots on target) and had nine -- mostly ineffectual -- corners to one for NYCFC, which can thank goalkeeper Josh Saunders for preserving the tie.

"We felt we lost two points here," said Toronto defender Josh Williams.

New York (4-3-5), which extended its unbeaten streak to a club-record five games, improved its career record against Toronto to 3-0-2.

NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira, whose team had played Sunday night in Portland, was satisfied with the outcome.

"We didn't concede so much. We didn't create much as well so I think the draw is a fair point for both teams," he said.

Toronto coach Greg Vanney had a different view.

"I can understand why he's happy. They had 1 1/2 chances or maybe two chances the entire game where they were really threatening our goal," said Vanney.

"Disappointed that we didn't get three (points) but you've got to make plays at the end of the day to get three points," he added.

After a slow start, Toronto got stronger as the game wore on before a BMO Field sellout of 30,262.

Will Johnson's 42nd-minute goal late in the first half secured the point for Toronto FC after Kwadwo Poku scored a beauty in the 16th minute. The Ghanaian midfielder chased down a header from Patrick Mullins and curled a beautiful shot past Clint Irwin into the far corner for his first of the season.

Mo Babouli, a 23-year-old homegrown player in for the injured Jozy Altidore, began to make his presence felt as the first half wore on. He set up Toronto's tying goal in the 42nd minute when his cross found Williams alone at the post as the New York defence was caught ball-watching. A lunging Williams poked the ball past Saunders, allowing Johnson a simple tap-in.

Johnson's goal -- his second of the season and 27th of his career -- came in his 200th MLS game.

Toronto star Sebastian Giovinco did not get an assist, ending his streak of being involved in consecutive TFC goals at a league-record 13 (scoring eight and assisting on the other five). While held off the scoresheet, Giovinco was once again full value with an array of delightful touches, probing runs and dangerous shots.

In the 75th minute, he drew oohs with a cheeky pirouette to break away from a defender before firing a shot that was parried by Saunders. He was also stopped on an early breakaway and Saunders got a hand to a swerving free kick.

The lineups did not live up to MLS or MLSE advertising, which had hyped the Giovinco versus Pirlo and Villa storylines. On the plus side, the home team was giving away 10,000 Giovinco T-shirts.

Villa, who scored six goals in his three previous games against Toronto, came on in the 74th minute as the third substitute. He drew some boos from fans who wanted to see Pirlo.

Frank Lampard, the other NYCFC designated player, was not in the matchday squad as he continues to work his way back from a calf strain. Viera said he could see action Saturday at the New York Red Bulls.

Toronto was without injured Altidore (hamstring) and midfielders Jonathan Osorio (ankle), Benoit Cheyrou (quad) and Marky Delgado (hamstring).

The absentees were clearly missed.

The TFC bench offered no offence with goalkeeper Alex Bono, defenders Mark Bloom, Nick Hagglund, Damien Perquis and Eriq Zavaleta and defender-midfielders Daniel Lovitz and Ashtone Morgan.

Forward Jordan Hamilton is away with the Canadian under-23 squad.

Altidore is out six to eight weeks with a hamstring injury and Giovinco could be airport-bound next week if summoned by Italy for the European Championship.

"I don't really know. I haven't heard very much," Giovinco said through an interpreter. "We'll wait until the end of the week to find out whether it happens or not."

Vanney acknowledged the team will have to add offence later in the season to balance the roster.

Toronto hosts the Columbus Crew on Saturday.