Sebastian Giovinco, celebrating a goal with his teammates, scored two goals and set up a third. (Nick Turchiaro/USA TODAY Sports)
TORONTO — If New York City FC wants to get to MLS Cup, it must find a way to get through Toronto FC.
Over the past two seasons, City has shown very little that it can solve the Eastern Conference leaders.
In last year’s playoffs, NYCFC was blown out in a two-game playoff series by the Canadian club, 7-0.
This season hasn’t been much better. Last week City allowed Toronto FC to steal a point at Yankee Stadium with a 90-minute penalty kick in a 2-2 draw.
On Sunday, Toronto FC went out and embarrassed NYCFC by a 4-0 final score at BMO Field.
You never would have believed City (11-7-4, 37 points) came into the contest with an opportunity to take over the conference lead with a win. Instead, Toronto (12-3-7, 43) continued on top.
“Of course there’s still a gap, and that is a big challenge for us,” NYCFC head coach Patrick Vieira said. “We want to challenge and we want to challenge them and we want to work hard because we are quite the ambitious football club, and if we want to challenge them, we need to work harder.
“I would say that this is the team to beat, no doubt about it.”
Added goalkeeper Sean Johnson: “I think that everyone in the group is disappointed. I’m not disappointed personally with anybody. I’m disappointed for the team as a part of the 11 that didn’t get the job done today and didn’t do good enough.”
Sebastian Giovinco, aka The Atomic Ant, tallied twice and Jozy Altidore and Raheem Edwards added one goal apiece as Toronto remained atop the conference.
It was the first time in 19 games — since the 1-0 season-opening loss at Orlando City SC March 5 — that City had been blanked. Maxi Moralez had an opportunity to put NYCFC on the scoreboard three minutes into stoppage time, but he booted his penalty kick into the stands, defining the visitors’ day. Marco Delgado had been called for a handball in the area to set up the spot kick.
“It’s a missed opportunity for us,” Vieira said. “We came here with ambitions but we couldn’t perform. They were too good for us.
“We had too many players who didn’t perform, and when you play against one of, if not the best team in the league, if your players do not perform at their best it’s a difficult game.”
Giovinco lifted the hosts into the lead in the 32nd minute, powering a 23-yard drive past goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
“Maybe 4-0 doesn’t describe the entire match to me but they deserved to win,” Johnson said. “We gave them opportunities and Giovinco’s first two strikes were just quality.”
He doubled the advantage in the 67th minute, launching a 24-yard free kick over a four-man wall and into the upper right corner for a 2-0 margin.
“I’m not surprised at all,” Vieira said. “I think he did really well when he was playing in Europe, and he just shows how good he is. If you give him space for him to express himself, he will hurt any team.”
City captain David Villa tried to put the visitors on the scoreboard, but fell short. He tried to chip goalkeeper Alexander Bono in the 54th minute, but he sent his long-range attempt wide right. He fired a hard shot from the right side of the box on the hour, but it went right to Bono.
A minute later, Moralez looked like was about to equalize, but defender Chris Mavinga came out of nowhere to tap the ball away from the midfielder in the penalty area as Toronto captain cleared it out of bounds.
Toronto FC added to its bounty in the 75th minute after referee Chris Penso ruled that center back Alexander Callens pulled down Altidore in the penalty area. Altidore converted the ensuing penalty, firing his attempt into the upper left corner for a 3-0 lead.
Giovinco continued his magic in the 82nd minute, setting up substitute Edwards, who scored from the left side of the box for the final goal.
“It was a game we lost against a better team tonight,” Vieira said. “It will be important for us to put that on the side, because we’re going to have a massive one next week.”
That massive game would be against the Red Bulls in a Hudson River Derby encounter at Yankee Stadium next Sunday at 6 p.m.
