TFC does its part in shutting down Union but playoff spot on hold
Jonathan Osorio gravitated to BMO Field’s Supporters Section after the final whistle was called on Toronto FC’s 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union Saturday evening, grabbing at the Reds’ crest on his jersey and jumping with the stadium’s south side fans as he urged them to cheer louder.
The home side had played its part. The win gave Toronto its best chance of clinching a playoff berth for the first time in club history.
It wasn’t meant to be on the day, in the end. Toronto needed Orlando City SC to lose or tie Montreal Impact in the day’s later game. Orlando won 2-1.
But even in the blustery, damp weather, those minutes following Toronto’s win Saturday were special ones for the 23year-old midfielder.
“It was not overwhelming, but it was just great to see the fans so happy. Myself as well, I was very happy for this win because we knew how big this was.”
Head coach Greg Vanney, now Toronto FC’s all-time winningest head coach with 16 victories, praised his team for having one of the most solid “beginning to end” performances of the season against the Eastern Conference’s ninth-place team.
Philadelphia produced few of the dangerously quick counter-attacks their offence is known for, choosing instead to play a physical game against the likes of strikers Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore.
From early on, it looked only a matter of time before Toronto would get the go ahead goal. The Reds did just that in the 28th minute.
Some dogged work from Altidore earned Toronto FC a free kick at the top of the box. Sebastian Giovinco, who was once again called up to the Italian national team for a couple of Euro 2016 qualifiers, stepped up to the ball and his deflected shot was redirected into the back of the net.
Then came the first glimpse of clinch excitement: Giovinco celebrated with an ode to the Blue Jays’ adopted celebration, stirring the pot with his index fingers.
Toronto continued to cruise early
“If you look at the last three games, in each one we got better and better. I think that’s important.” TFC’S JOZY ALTIDORE
in the second half, doubling their lead in the 63rd minute.
Substitute Marky Delgado’s cross found Altidore at the top of the sixyard box. A clean first touch from the American striker made it easy for him to tap the ball past Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake.
In a weak moment for Toronto’s defence, three minutes later Mississauga-born Steven Vitoria managed to get a header past Reds goalkeeper Chris Konopka.
The Reds had let Philadelphia back into the game, but by then the team had the backing of a playoff-like atmosphere. The rain and wind hadn’t dampened the spirits of the 18,332 fans in attendance and neither did a little last-minute pressure.
An own goal by Union defender Richie Marquez in injury time was an added bonus, as fans loudly celebrated their team’s potential clinch.
And while that didn’t happen for Toronto Saturday night, it’s not to say it still couldn’t before the Reds final game in Montreal Oct. 25.
Altidore is confident his teammates are hitting their stride at the right time in the season.
“If you look at the last three games, in each one we got better and better. I think that’s important.”
The Reds have a chance to clinch again in the team’s next match a little more than a week from now. A win or a tie in Toronto’s Oct. 14 match against the New York Red Bulls at BMO Field gets them in the playoffs.