The Reds entered Snapdragon Stadium, a venue the place their hosts had solely misplaced twice beforehand, with a chip on their shoulder. Their opponent, SDFC, are within the midst of probably the greatest seasons in MLS historical past by an enlargement aspect, sitting atop the Western Convention. TFC, in the meantime, had received simply as soon as of their final seven matches.
However it was clear from the primary kick that Toronto had realized from their most up-to-date outing, a devastating 1-1 draw at dwelling vs. Atlanta United, wherein they conceded a penalty kick purpose within the eleventh minute of second-half stoppage time.
Toronto appeared motivated to vary the notion of their season.
“We felt like we had a degree to show at present,” mentioned the goalscorer Corbeanu.
Man of the match efficiency
Corbeanu can take private delight within the win. It was his motion into the field that drew the pivotal penalty within the 18th minute, and his penalty kick that sealed the deal.
Corbeanu has now scored twice in his final 5 matches and is as much as a team-best 5 objectives on the season. He is generated six purpose contributions (5g/1a) since arriving on mortgage from Grenada in February, and appears to be beginning to evolve into the dependable attacking choice many TFC followers had hoped for when he joined from the Spanish second-division aspect.
“We’re seeing numerous maturity in Theo, in his determination making, and in his perception that he’s going to be harmful,” mentioned head coach Robin Fraser. “He simply feels very assured proper now.”
Heroic rearguard effort
Corbeanu wasn’t the one participant feeling assured. TFC stored San Diego from making a single massive likelihood, didn’t permit a shot in opposition to till the forty seventh minute, and have been usually capable of disrupt the hosts by profitable the vast majority of duels and defensive actions.
Fraser’s males proved their level.
“We requested them to do some uncommon issues and to remain disciplined,” Frazer continued. “It was a very good recreation from the blokes.”
Toronto earned their proof-of-concept win in how they neutralized one of many league’s most potent possession-based assaults. In Frazer’s phrases, Wednesday’s success got here due to his group’s complete dedication, one thing he believes his squad is able to executing extra usually.
“The extent of engagement has to hold on now,” Fraser mentioned.
The highway doesn’t get any simpler for Toronto, who’re 11 factors beneath the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs line with 12 matches remaining, as they hope to return to the postseason for the primary time since 2020.
With a Saturday contest at Japanese Convention powerhouse Nashville SC looming (8:30 pm ET | MLS Season Go, Apple TV+), Fraser might want to see extra of the identical.
