Toronto FC used a pair of second half goals to eased past DC United at the BMO Field last weekend. The victory was TFC's sixth home win in a row, the joint longest streak in its Major League Soccer history. Elsewhere, in the Western Conference, San Jose Earthquakes held Sporting KC to a 0-0 goalless draw at the Avaya Stadium, while Atlanta United beat Columbus Crew SC 3-1, to end its two game losing streak at the Bobby Dodd Stadium. Here a complete roundup of last weekend matches and how they actually went down.
Toronto FC 2, DC United 0
This encounter was arguably TFC's toughest home victory so far this season, as DC United firmly shutdown most of TFC's offensive attempts throughout the game.
Toronto FC couldn't find any chance inside the box, with Steve Birmbaum closing down Giovinco and Koffi Opare man marking Jozy Altidore. The only real goal threat in the first-half apparently fell to TFC's Steven Beitashour off a Justin Morrow long-cross, but Steven Beitashour fired nicely a “bullet header” that went off the crossbar. Eventually, Toronto opened the scoring after a brilliant through pass by Giovinco to Jozy Altidore. The American international striker took it well of his first-touch and clinically placed home the ball into the back of the net to put the hosts ahead.
Afterwards, TFC looked highly motivated after Jozy Altidore's goal and continued to pile up the pressure on DC United's half.
Eventually, Hamilton doubled the scoreline off a Giovinco corner kick cross in the eighty-fifth minute to secure the maximum three points for TFC. The victory now keeps Toronto FC on the summit of the Eastern Conference standings with thirty-two points, while DC United remains “rooted” at the cellar of the table on fifteen points.
San Jose Earthquakes 0, Sporting Kansas City 0
The depleted Earthquakes team were able to overcome early obstacles and firmly held Sporting Kansas City to a 0-0, despite playing with just sixteen men in their matchday squad last Saturday. The majority of the first-half was full of “yawns” with San Jose Earthquakes unable to register a shot attempt and Sporting KC sticking to high possession tactics.
It took about fifty-one minutes for the Quakes to create its first chance in front of goal, but Jahmir Hyka's effort from long range turned into nothing but a routine save for Sporting KC goalie Tim Melia. However, the home side tried to pick it up late in the second-half, but the attempt went over the crossbar.
Atlanta United 3, Columbus Crew SC 1
Atlanta United took the early advantage sixteen minutes in, through a stumble from Crew defender Josh Williams. Williams couldn't get hold of the ball and Atlanta's Yamil Asad cleverly dispossessed him outside the penalty box. Yamil Asad then passed the ball to Hector Villalba, who wasted no time to slot home the lead for the hosts. The hosts' lead didn't last long, with Crew SC equalizing just eleven minutes later.
Federico Higuain leveled up the score off an Ola Kamara's shot that ended up on his feet and calmly finished from close range. The second-half saw the home side take the lead yet again in the sixty-sixth minute on a move started by Leandro Pirez, who gained possession of the ball just outside his team's penalty box on a brilliant tackle.
Leandro Pirez then found Miguel Almiron, who brilliantly placed home the ball from the edge of the box to double the lead for Atlanta United. Just two minutes into stoppage time, Josef Martinez extended the lead to seal the victory for Atlanta United. The goal was Josef Martinez first since returning from injury.
