It was statement game that Toronto FC controlled from start to finish.
The Reds emerged from Saturday’s derby match against the Montreal Impact with a convincing 2-0 win at Stade Saputo, sending Georges St-Pierre, who was there to ring the goal bell, and Impact fans home unhappy.
TFC has allowed the fewest goals in the league through seven games. Consider the Reds have yet to play a home game and that’s a massive accomplishment for a side that vowed to be better defensively in 2016. Drew Moor and Damien Perquis were terrific going up against against Didier Drogba, the Reds’ bogeyman from last year.
“We sat down at the beginning of the year and decided we want to be a team that's hard to beat,” said Jozy Altidore, and that they have been.
Greg Vanney’s side is unbeaten against Eastern Conference opponents so far. Their goal heading into this eight-game road trip, getting 10 points, has been eclipsed with one game remaining.
Here are three things we learned from a massive three points in Montreal.
Giovinco Stands Alone
The question was asked by our friends over at MLS. You’re starting a new team and you need your first player. Sebastian Giovinco or Didier Drogba?
Disregarding age, where Seba holds a big advantage, the reigning MLS MVP made the answer an easy one.
The #MVP#TFCLive#MTLvTORpic.twitter.com/kpdsM7tEIn
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) April 23, 2016
Giovinco scored both goals in the 2-0 win, making it six on the year for the Atomic Ant. He’s tied with Dwyane De Rosario for most MLS goals in club history with 28. Giovinco has been in on all eight of Toronto’s goals this season. There isn’t much left to say about the 29-year-old Turin native except ‘Wow.’
“He continues to do amazing things,” said Vanney. “It was a big performance from him. Obviously Sebastian can come up with things that, in my opinion, nobody has come up with in this league."
Beitashour A Big Upgrade
Heading into Saturday’s game memories of last season’s playoff defeat at Stade Saputo dominated the conversation. That ignominious night last October was dominated by Ignacio Piatti on the left, who used Jackson’s inexperience at right back to his advantage.
Steven Beitashour was brought in to shore up the position in the offseason and the former Vancouver Whitecaps defender has been excellent in 2016, playing all 630 minutes for the Reds so far this season.
He was excellent once against the Impact, keeping Piatti and Harry Shipp in check.
“He’s a great player,” said Beitashour, about his matchup with Piatti following the match. “You’ve seen what he’s done in the past six games. I tried to do what I do best, which was to frustrate him and I think I did. I did my job.”
Bradley Continues To Put In Work
The general continues to be a workhorse in the middle of the park, helping TFC cement itself as one of the best defensive clubs in MLS through seven games. Bradley has played every minute of every game so far, with Beitashour and Justin Morrow the two other Reds to do the same. On Saturday the U.S.international completed 90% of his passes while making four tackles and four interceptions.
His strong play doesn’t show up in the traditional stats, but Bradley’s impact is being felt in a major way.
The Reds will complete their eight-game road trip in Portland this Sunday when they take on the reigning MLS Cup Champions. Watch the match at 4 PM ET on TSN2.
