Giovinco has spurred Toronto’s rise
Photo Credit: Toronto FC
Fortress RFK has been invaded!
After twenty matches someone has finally beaten D.C. United at home. The culprit: Toronto F.C. With a brace by Sebastian Gionvinco TFC ended D.C. United’s home unbeaten run at twenty on Saturday night by the score of 2-1.
Despite having played on Wednesday night and five matches in the past fifteen days it was United who looked like that they might get the result early on. United forward Fabian Espindola nearly gained the early advantage when his chip shot in the fifth minute went over TFC goalkeeper Chris Konopka and hit the cross-bar.
Espindola, making his second consecutive appearance after being sidelined with a knee injury, was effective at finding small gaps in between the Toronto center-backs. He was also effective on corner kicks, delivering a cross just a minute later that defender Steve Birnbaum would finish. The goal was Birnbaum’s first in his professional career.
Despite being down a goal early, Toronto did not panic. Led by Giovinco, TFC’s strategy of focusing on D.C. United center-back Kofi Opare slowly began to work over the course of the match. The TFC midfield continued to feeding Giovinco diagonal balls aimed at catching a tired United defense off-guard. In the 30th minute the Atomic Ant sped past Opare and fired a low shot that went wide of the far post.
Just four minutes later, the Giovinco plan would pay off. The 28-year old Italian would get past United right-back Sean Franklin and hot a twenty- yard missile past United goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra for the equalizer.
In the second-half both teams appeared to be a bit tired and neither really looked that adventurous on the attack. United looked like they made have taken the again when Opare’s shot went past Konopka in the 55th minute. However the referee made the offside call and the goal was disallowed.
Toronto would take the lead late thanks to the re-appearance of forward Jozy Altidore. Altidore who has missed the past four weeks with a hamstring issue, parried over a pass to Giovinco in the 86th minute which he coolly put past Dykstra for the game-winning goal. Giovinco’s two goals in the match put him at seven for the year and in third place for the league lead.
With the win Toronto FC (6-5-1, 19 points) moved past the New York Red Bulls for third place in the Eastern Conference. They will get a bit of a break to enjoy the Women’s World Cup in Canada before they take on New York City FC at home on June the 20th.
Meanwhile for D.C. United (8-4-4, 28 points the club will get a small break but still have to travel to Orlando to take on Orlando City SC next Sunday. Despite the loss they retained their first place standing and seven point advantage over New England after the Revolution lost to the Portland Timbers late Saturday night.
