In their most dominant performance so far this year, Toronto FC defeated Columbus Crew 5-0 at BMO Field. The team was looking to bounce back from back to back games without a win. While the draw in New York can still be considered a good result, the side looked lacklustre against the Ottawa Fury midweek in the Voyageurs Cup and needed to nip that performance in the bud ahead of an important Eastern Conference clash.
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Scoring started early as Tosaint Ricketts drew a foul from Jonathan Mensah in the box. Victor Vazquez would score the resulting penalty. Ricketts would continue to look stellar on the pitch but was unable to score.
Toronto found the back of the net in the 39th minute when Justin Morrow scored his 3rd goal of the year with a little help from the debuting Ben Spencer.
In the 59th minute, Vazquez again found the net when he sent a free kick under Columbus' jumping wall. The nifty little goal might just be the best looking Toronto goal so far this year.
Even with Marky Delgado earning a red-card (for a nasty tackle on Will Trapp), Columbus looked dead on the field. They failed to secure a single shot on net and after the red-card, they were unable to keep Toronto out of the net as subs Jonatha Osorio and Jordan Hamilton both scored.
With the win, Toronto FC stands atop the Supporters' Shield table by 5 points and win their second straight Trillium Cup.
The Final Word
Toronto FC have had good results all season, but have yet to dominate a side on the scoreboard or really see through ninety minutes of pressure on their opponent.
First we must applaud both Jonathan Osorio and Jordan Hamilton who have relegated to the fringe of the starting eleven, but came in off the bench and showed poise and class in both their goals. Osorio especially has had issues finishing this season and lost what should be his starting spot, but he came on and was clinical in picking up Hamilton's pass and slotting it in.
Jordan Hamilton has had issues with workrate and willingness to take on opponents, but what we saw from him was a different striker than in 2016. He was both selfless, but also determined in tight areas and took a page from Raheem Edwards in a want to run at defenders. It paid off with an assist and then a great headed goal.
Aside from the local boys, both Tosaint Ricketts and Victor Vasquez proved to supporters that this team has the attacking players to win without Giovinco and Jozy Altidore. Ricketts showed his strength of being able to beat anyone in open field, while Vasquez is now a good option from set pieces, both on penalties and free kicks.
It was a positive bounce back result after being robbed of three points against the Red Bulls and losing to Ottawa, and while getting ahead in the Voyageurs Cup is a mid-week goal, they will also have to be prepared to take on another long-time rival next weekend in New England.
Man of the Match
Victor Vasquez
Victor Vazquez - With a pair of goals (one of which is a contender for TFC Goal of the Year) and some nice chances it's hard to pick anyone else tonight.
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