On a rainy and windy afternoon in Toronto at the stadium-by-the-lake, TFC took down the Colorado Rapids 3-1. Sebastian Giovinco continued to prove why he should be this season’s Major League Soccer MVP with two goals and an assist, which helped put an end to Toronto FC’s three game losing streak.
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The Atomic Ant opened the scoring at BMO Field in the 14th minute, when he dribbled past several Rapids’ defenders and riffled one past goalkeeper Clint Irwin. As Giovinco sprinted towards the goal, it looked as if Colorado were intimidated by the striker as they backed up.
“It was interesting as he started sprinting on the break and they started sprinting towards their goal,” said Toronto head coach Greg Vanney of the goal following the victory.
“He got close enough where he was in shooting range and he just let it go. But I was surprised that they backed off so much. The contrary was what happened in the second half where he went on another run like that and the defender tried to make the tackle and brought him down for a yellow card. So it is pick your poison with him but don’t allow him to get shots off at the top of the box.”
Giovinco would soon after double the Reds’ lead, with a lovely shot. The Italian then turned provider as he Damien Perquis scored his first ever MLS goal, when he headed home a Giovinco corner kick.
The win was a crucial one for Toronto FC, as they have struggled in recent weeks. The club looks set to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, but the goal is to host a game and the team needed three points to help make that a reality.
“Anybody who questions the belief of our team, or whether we believe in what we are doing or the desire we get upset,” Toronto head coach Greg Vanney told media following the victory. “To me it is people who do not know our team or our players. It is nonsense, I shared it with the group, they were upset as I was and we had a chip on our shoulder and we started the game the way we needed to and we battled to the end. I was proud of them for that, we always feel we have something to prove and we will step on the gas to prove it every time we play.”
With the win, Toronto move within four points of the Columbus Crew who currently sit in fourth spot in the Eastern Conference. They will be back in action next Saturday afternoon when they host the Chicago Fire.
Colorado on the other hand, sit in the basement of the Western Conference with just 34 points from 29 matches. They will travel to Houston to take on the Dynamo next Saturday night.