It took nine whole years, but Toronto FC finally has a playoff win.
Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore led the way for TFC, who took down the Philadelphia Union, 3-1, at BMO Field. The win is TFC’s first postseason win in their second playoff trip, setting up a conference semifinal date with New York City FC.
TFC got started early, taking full advantage of calamity from the Union backline. Following a Ken Tribbett misclearance, Andre Blake came darting off his line but could not get to the ball. Altidore flicked a pass over his head to Giovinco, who faced little more than a tap-in into an open net to take the lead just 15 minutes in.
Three minutes into the second lead, Jonathan Osorio doubled that lead from a corner kick before the pendulum swung towards the Union. The introduction of Ilsinho saw the visitors push more and more as the game wore on, eventually culminating in an Alejandro Bedoya goal in the 73rd minute.
With the Union pressing for an equalizer, Altidore sealed the deal, taking advantage of yet another Tribbett mis-hit. Altidore played in Giovinco, who took an uncharacteristic mistouch to delay the counter. The ball eventually worked its way towards Altidore in the box following a Tribbett mistake, allowing the USMNT forward to fire a backbreaking goal that all but ended the Union’s season.
Following the win, TFC now looks ahead to a home clash with NYCFC on Sunday for the first of two conference semifinal legs.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Jozy Altidore did the dirty work on Wednesday, and was rewarded with a late goal that sealed the win.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Following Alejandro Bedoya’s goal, the Union looked the most likely team to score, but a mistake-filled counter still worked out for TFC as Altidore fired a 85th minute goal.
MATCH TO FORGET
It’s hard to imagine a centerback having a worse night than Ken Tribbett. The Union defender mishit two ball on Wednesday, leading to two TFC goals that sent the Union packing.