Historic first MLS playoff win for Toronto FC

TORONTO Captain Michael Bradley had a slice of pizza and a slug of Gatorade. Coach Greg Vanney treated himself to a tall boy.

As far as locker-room celebrations go, it was decidedly muted. Especially when it came after removing a giant monkey off the back of Toronto FC with the franchise’s first ever playoff win in 10 seasons.

Vanney’s team rose to the occasion Wednesday in ending the post-season drought in convincing fashion. Sebastian Giovinco scored one goal and helped set up the other two to lead Toronto to a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union in an MLS first-round knockout game.

Toronto, which finished third in the Eastern Conference, will now host second-place New York City FC on Sunday in the opening game of the two-legged Eastern semifinal.

Jonathan Osorio and Jozy Altidore also scored as TFC emerged from a playoff wasteland that stretched back to its inception in 2007. It took 324 regular-season matches and nine managers to get there. Toronto lost its only other playoff appearance 3-0 in Montreal last season.

While there weren’t any champagne corks popping in the dressing room, the team celebrated the win on the field with its fans. After confetti and fireworks at the final whistle, the players headed over to the south stand to lead the fans in Iceland-style slow clapping.

“We’re very very very excited, very very proud in every way,” said Bradley, promising more celebrations to come.

It was a special moment for a franchise that has not had too many of them.

Referee Baldomero Toledo handed out five yellow cards, cautioning both Bradley and Altidore which leaves them one yellow away from a suspension in the post-season.

Toronto got good performances from all quarters but its biggest names — Bradley, Giovinco and Altidore — had especially big performances.

Alejandro Bedoya scored for the Union in the 73rd minute to cut the lead to 2-1. But Giovinco, after drawing three defenders, found Altidore in the 85th minute and the U.S. international, after a fortuitous bounce off a defender, sent a low shot home.