Giovinco’s two goals help keep Toronto FC playoff hopes alive
TORONTO — Time and games are running out. But Toronto FC is still alive and kicking.
“It’s been that kind of year. Nothing’s come easy. But we are not dead, that’s for damn sure,” Toronto captain Michael Bradley said after a 3-1 Major League Soccer win Saturday night over the rival Montreal Impact.
“Along the way there’s been a few people in some different places that have been ready to count us out. We’ve been able to just keep ourselves going and find ways to fight and scrap and claw. We’re going to have to do that for nine more games,” he said. “We’ve got to do everything we can, take this down to the wire and get ourselves in the playoffs.”
Sebastian Giovinco scored twice to help TFC keep its slim post-season hopes alive.
Toronto (7-12-6) remains in ninth place in the MLS East but cut the gap with Montreal (1014-3), which occupies the sixth and last playoff spot, to six points.
Toronto has two games in hand on Montreal. The two teams play again Oct. 21.
Giovinco sparked the Toronto attack, scoring two goals with Jonathan Osorio adding a third to give the reigning MLS champions a 3-0 lead after 29 minutes.
“You give up three goals in the first 30 minutes, there’s no way to come back from that,” said Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush. “You try to rally and keep a positive mentality but the reality is unless they give you the game, you’re not coming back from that.”
But the Impact did their best. Alejandro Silva scored in the 30th minute and the visitors had two more goals ruled offside later in the half.
Toronto looked to batten down the hatches in the second half, avoiding a repeat of the first-half shootout.
The reigning MLS champions travel to Portland next for a midweek game before returning home to host Los Angeles FC next Saturday. Montreal hosts the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Toronto coach Greg Vanney says TFC will likely have to win six of its nine remaining games, five of which are at home, to make the playoffs.
“For now, I think all the home games are must-win games,” said Vanney, knowing even if TFC does that it will have to win once on the road where it is
2-7-4 this season.
For Montreal, the job of keeping its nose above the playoff line got a little more difficult. Chasing New England, D.C. United and Toronto all have games in hand.
“We were not committed enough in terms of spirit and in terms of tactics,” said Montreal coach Remi Garde.