Sebastian Giovinco scored his 22nd goal of the season to help Toronto secure a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls last night.
After a goalless first half, the deadlock was broken by the hosts six minutes after the restart. Jackson Goncalves's cross evaded Red Bulls defender Ronald Zubar and Herculez Gomez was on hand to profit.
The lead was then doubled 12 minutes from time by Giovinco, who had only just arrived back in Canada following his commitments with the Italian national side.
Having inherited possession midway inside the opposition's half out on the left flank, the 28-year-old weaved his way beyond three challenges before he beat Luis Robles with a powerful strike that flew across the Red Bulls goalkeeper and out of his reach.
Ex-England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips reduced the arrears in the 86th minute when his shot squeezed inside Chris Konopka's near post, but Toronto held out in the closing stages.
The only sour note for the home team was the red card that Jozy Altidore received in the 36th minute. The striker, who was sitting among the substitutes on the bench at the time, was handed his marching orders for foul and abusive language towards the match official.
The win over the Eastern Conference leaders was not only worth three points, it also booked Toronto's place in the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time in the club's history.
