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Toronto FC stars lead rout of depleted Orlando City

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MLS: Orlando City SC at Toronto FC

Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports

By MIKE GRAMAJO 

Toronto FC was winless in its last two games heading into Saturday’s contest, but the Canadian club catapulted back to winning ways against a depleted Orlando City side to inch closer to finding a first-ever playoff spot.

Michael Bradley pulled the strings with two assists, Sebastian Giovinco had a second-half stunner, and Jozy Altidore’s brace put the nail in the coffin, as Toronto FC thrashed Orlando City, 5-0, in front of 26,397 at BMO Field.

After a scoreless first half, Bradley orchestrated the opening goal, connecting with Marky Delgado in the opening minutes of the second half. Giovinco would double the lead in the 57th minute smashing a free kick outside the box as the ball hit the top-right corner of the net.

Bradley, who didn’t play against Orlando City last time earlier this month, notched his second assist when he found Justin Morrow, who headed the ball past Tally Hall. Jozy Altidore, who entered the game in the 72nd minute, capped the contest when he scored two goals in three minutes, converting on a penalty kick in the 83rd minute and finishing off a Robbie Findley volley across the six-yard box moments later.

Orlando City went down a man when Rafael Ramos’ late tackle on Justin Morrow led to referee Jose Carlos Rivero issuing the Portuguese right-back a red card in the 36th minute. The Lions would evidently go down to nine men late in the second half.

Adrian Winter was the second Orlando City player to be shown yellow, with his foul on Altidore late in the match resulting in the the midfielder picking up a second yellow. Orlando City has seen 10 players being sent off via red cards, a league record this season.

The Lions almost managed to cut their two-goal deficit when Kaka made a run towards goal in the 63rd minute, connecting with Lewis Neal but only to be denied by Chris Konopka.

Toronto FC looked poised to get on the scoreboard early, especially after Jackson’s shot outside the 18-yard box resulted in Hall committing a diving save to keep the same scoreless. TFC would be given another opportunity moments later when Marky Delgado was found alone in the box, sending the ball over the crossbar.

Toronto, who finished the game with 67.7 percent possession, outshot the visiting Orlando side 18 to four. Canadian-born Cyle Larin missed another opportunity to break the single-season scoring record for a rookie after finishing the game without a shot for Orlando.

Greg Vanney’s men look to keep their momentum going as they welcome the Montreal Impact to BMO Field next Saturday. Orlando City, on the other hand, look to keep their playoff hopes alive when they return to the Citrus Bowl to face off against the Chicago Fire that same day.

Comments

  1. Bradley may have won MoM for his two assists (overlapping runs, weird), but Marky Delgado took his goal well and was solid in the second half. He might have set a personal record with 95% successful passes as well.

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