Toronto FC still in playoff hunt after 4-1 victory
Toronto Football Club turned back the clock Saturday night, providing a reminder of how good the Major League Soccer club can be.
Toronto scored four unanswered goals to keep its slender playoff hopes alive with a 4-1 win over the New England Revolution. It may be too little too late but, like a good wedding photo, served as a pleasant reminder of past good celebrations.
“I’d be lying if I said that it didn’t cross my mind how is this team not in the playoffs picture right now,” said coach Greg Vanney.
“It for sure went through my mind ... What I’m happy about is the group tonight, they put their foot on the gas and they never took it off once we really got rolling. That was a good sign. It looked like they were having fun again in a season that obviously has been challenging in many ways.”
“For me it was a lot of the team that we saw last year ... It was nice to see that again.”
Toronto — which won the MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield and Canadian championship last year — came into the game knowing that a loss or tie coupled with a Montreal win would end its post-season chances.
D.C. United did its bit, thumping the Impact 5-0 to keep Toronto mathematically in the hunt. With four games remaining — including one at Montreal, which currently occupies the sixth and last playoff berth in the East — TFC is seven points out of the post-season.
New England was poor on the night while Toronto — at least in the second half — showed signs of the team that rolled through the league last year.
Sebastian Giovinco, Lucas Jansson, Victor Vazquez and Marky Delgado scored for Toronto (915-6) before 24,710 at BMO Field on Canadian Forces Appreciation Night.
Cristian Penilla replied for New England (8-1111), which was second-best in the second half.
It marked the first time this season in league play that Toronto has won after conceding the first goal (1-14-1).
Tied 1-1 at the break, Toronto thought it had gone ahead on a Jonathan Osorio goal in the 48th minute. But, much to TFC’s disgust, it was called off for an Osorio foul in the buildup to the play.