Wednesday night featured all three Canadian clubs in midweek MLS action on Canadian soil.
Toronto FC welcomed Canadian rookie sensation Cyle Larin and Orlando City SC to BMO Field for an MLS regular season match, the Montreal Impact played host to the New York Red Bulls at Saputo Stadium for an MLS tilt and Vancouver Whitecaps FC renewed a bitter rivalry with Seattle Sounders FC at BC Place in CONCACAF Champions League play.
Toronto FC 4-1 Orlando City SC
The hype before this contest was all about Orlando City SC forward Cyle Larin returning home to play against Toronto FC. The 20-year-old Brampton, Ont. native scored an astonishing five goals in his previous two games prior to meeting the Reds at BMO Field.
Larin had a respectable game, registering three shot attempts on the night and hitting the target once. However, it was none other than Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco who yet again stole the show in this one. Giovinco tallied three times for Toronto FC as he helped the team push closer to playoff contention.
Giovinco’s first goal came in the 12th minute off a penalty kick after he was taken down in the Orlando box. Giovinco stepped up to take the subsequent penalty kick and tucked it into the bottom corner to give Toronto the early lead.
The feisty Italian’s second goal came in the 56th minute when he scored a brilliant and powerful free kick goal from outside of the box.
He then put home his third goal in the 88th minute when he received a ball out wide and came streaking down the left side of the pitch before sending a thunderous left-footed strike into the back of the net.
Giovinco now leads the league in goals with 16 and he has taken 122 shots in the process. He has surely taken Major League Soccer by storm.
Looking at Canadian notables, Toronto FC midfielder and Canadian Jonathan Osorio also picked up an assist on Toronto’s third goal, which was scored by midfielder Collen Warner.
Toronto’s next match is on Saturday when the team hosts Sporting Kansas City at BMO Field.
Montreal Impact 1-1 New York Red Bulls
Montreal played New York to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night in a back-and-forth affair. The Impact scored just before half in the 42nd minute when forward Dominic Oduro sent a drop ball from midfielder Dilly Duka into the back of the net with authority to give Montreal the lead.
However, the Red Bulls would equalize in the 51st minute courtesy of midfielder Lloyd Sam, who tipped a flying ball from midfielder Mike Grella into the net.
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Things would go awry for the Impact in the 79th minute, as defender Laurent Ciman was booked with his second yellow card of the game for a sliding challenge. It was a very questionable call, however, as it clearly looked like Ciman got the ball first. Nevertheless, Ciman received his second yellow, and a subsequent red, and was ejected from the contest.
Playing with 10 men for the remainder of the match, the Impact did just enough to stop the Red Bulls from scoring again.
The Impact host D.C. United next on Saturday at Saputo Stadium.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1-1 Seattle Sounders FC
Familiar foes met again for the second time in five days as Vancouver played host to Seattle in their opening CONCACAF Champions League match.
Whitecaps defender Tim Parker tallied his first professional goal for Vancouver in the 61st minute in brilliant fashion. Off a corner kick, the 22-year-old received the ball and put it into the far corner of the net with a beautiful back-heel volley.
Sounders midfielder Lamar Neagle equalized in the 72nd minute, sending the ball into the net from about 12 yards out.
Neither side could find a way to take the lead in the following minutes and each collected a point for their efforts.
The Whitecaps are back in MLS action on Saturday when they play host to Real Salt Lake at BC Place.