Italian star Sebastian Giovinco scored one goal and helped set up the other two to lead Toronto FC to its first-ever playoff win Wednesday night, a 3-1 decision 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 Toronto ended a playoff drought that stretched back to its inception in 2007. It took 324 regular-season matches and nine managers to get there.
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.
Oh Seba, that's just not fair 🙊 https://t.co/nyTNpsYD75
— @MLS
Altidore and several teammates jumped the advertising hoardings at the south end and disappeared briefly into the stands to celebrate.
Sixth-place Philadelphia started well, taking the game to Toronto. But the home side struck first in the 15th minute with Altidore muscling his way into Philadelphia territory. Defender Ken Tribbett hooked the ball away awkwardly towards his own penalty box and goalkeeper Andre Blake tried to meet it. Altidore beat him to it, flicking the ball over to Giovinco, who got a leg to it to send the ball high into the net.
Giovinco leads Toronto FC to 1st-ever playoff win
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