• Toronto FC 4 (Moore 24’, Ricketts 37’, 76’, Vazquez 78’), L.A. Galaxy 0
GAME RECAP IN A SENTENCE
A TFC side missing top scorers Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore cruised to a sixth consecutive win and extended its unbeaten run to 11 games with a dominant display against the hapless Galaxy.
THE BIG STORY
Toronto FC continues to roll along.
The L.A. Galaxy became the latest victim to be flattened by the Big Red Machine, as TFC ran roughshod over the California club to run up its season total to 62 points, and open up a 11-point lead over New York City FC atop the overall MLS standings.
If all goes well, Toronto can win the Supporters’ Shield trophy (awarded to the team that finishes the regular season in first place) next weekend. And after that, all that’s left to do before the playoffs start is establish a new league record for most points in a single season. Toronto has five games left, so the Galaxy’s 68-point mark, set in 1998, is sure to fall. It’s just a matter of when.
Aside from Giovinco and Altidore, right wingback Steven Beitashour was also given the night off, so the Reds were minus three starters. They hardly missed a beat, though, and this was one of the TFC’s most balanced displays of the campaign.
Toronto’s stout three-man defence, led by Drew Moor (who opened the scoring) was hardly troubled, snuffing out danger before it fully developed. Captain Michael Bradley was quietly effective in protecting the back line, and serving as the link between defence and attack. His simple play and composure on the ball was the bedrock upon which TFC’s success on this night was built.
The real stars of the show were Victor Vazquez and Canadian Tosaint Ricketts. Although lining up as a second forward, Vazquez was given license to roam where ever his creative instincts led him, and the Spaniard took full advantage by dropping deep and then popping up in open pockets of space as he terrorized the Galaxy for most of the night.
It was Vazquez’s heads up play that lead to Moor’s opener, and he set up Ricketts in the second half before scoring Toronto’s final goal. With Altidore and Giovinco back home, Ricketts took to centre stage, and was as intelligent as he was lethal in leading TFC’s attack, bagging a brace in his first start in close to four months.
The Vazquez-Ricketts duo was a new one for the Reds, but they combined brilliantly against a Galaxy side that struggled to slow them down, and was reduced to chasing their shadows.
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KEY MOMENT
24’ GOAL! Toronto 1-0 L.A.: The Reds were awarded a free kick midway through the first half, and Vazquez decided to take it quickly while L.A. was still setting up its defensive wall. His attempt hit the far post, but Moor recognized what the Spaniard was doing right from the start, and he was the first to react, heading the rebound home. That sucker punch floored the Galaxy, and they never recovered. It went all downhill for the home side after that.
TALKING POINT
Has Nicolas Hasler done enough to start full-time? The Liechtenstein international put in another solid display on Saturday, playing a delightful ball to set up Ricketts’ first goal, and he provided TFC with a dangerous attacking threat down the right flank all night. Hasler seamlessly combined with Marky Delgado and defender Eriq Zavaleta on the side of the pitch, and he also contributed defensively. Whether he’s done enough to win the starting job remains to be seen, though. Last week, Beitashour earned his first start since returning from his lengthy injury layoff, and was outstanding in Toronto’s 4-0 home win over San Jose. So, what does coach Greg Vanney do? Does he pick one over the other, or does he rotate between the two?
QUICK TAKE
Ricketts hasn’t had many opportunities this season, which is no big surprise when you consider fellow forwards Giovinco and Altidore accounted for 28 of the Reds’ 59 goals coming into Saturday’s contest. Ricketts’ previous start was in late May, so he desperately needed to make the most of this occasion. He didn’t disappoint. The Canadian international effectively led the line, making well-timed runs into channels and using his natural speed to burn the Galaxy’s defence. He also showed great finishing ability on both of his goals. It was a wonderful performance from Ricketts, who reminded Vanney that he has a dangerous option off the bench.
STANDOUT STAT
Before Saturday, TFC only had one win in eight previous regular-season games in L.A. The Reds’ only other victory came during the 2008 season – Vanney played for the Galaxy in that match.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Victor Vazquez, Toronto: The Spaniard took centre stage for the Reds with Altidore and Giovinco back home, scoring one goal and setting up two others. Vazquez tortured the Galaxy with his deft touch and distribution, and it was his heads-up play that lead to Moor’s opener. Honourable mentions go to Ricketts and Bradley.
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