Toronto FC cruised to a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday night, cementing their status as contenders in the Eastern Conference.
The win created distance between the Reds and the Union in the standings, while also keeping Greg Vanney's within reach of New York City FC, who currently sits in first place in the Eastern Conference.
TFC received major contributions from the entire squad, with the team's designated players leading the way. Michael Bradley, Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altdiore were immense throughout the match.
Vanney, Drew Moor and Altidore spoke to the media following the match. Here's some of what they had to say.
Greg Vanney
On the 3-1 win...
We knew coming here; it was going to be a challenge for us. I have been impressed with Philly this year and I think they have a lot good players so knew this was going to be a challenge. I thought from our group, I thought we had a pretty solid performance in the first half. I thought the ball was moving quickly, we were finding the field, creating some opportunities and I thought we were solid in the first half. Second half became a little bit of an exercise a little of bit of locking it out and see if we can come of with something in transition. At the end of the day anytime you get three points in the league, it’s a good night, so we’ll take that and it’s an important time in the season, where all points matter and we see Philadelphia as a team who is a playoff contender and so it’s good for us to create some separation from them.
On Jozy Altidore getting back into the lineup…
Yeah it’s huge for us, Jozy is a big part of our team and he provides us with an outlet, he’s obviously a guy in front of the goal who can create opportunities for himself when he plays big like he did on that goal. He is also our target if we get out wide and we have to serve in front of the goal. And I think he draws a lot of attention, which allows Sebastien to find that little bit of extra space on the field. And I think they are both doing a great job looking for each other and combining with each other. He is massive and he is probably underrated in terms of the amount of defensive work that he gives us as a striker. He does a lot of work, he is responsible and he is always looking for ways he can help out the team.
On getting three points on the road…
Yeah again, from my perspective and as team, we think that Philadelphia is one of those teams in the east that is going to be there when it is all said and done and I think it’s good for us to be able to come here on the road and the race is pretty tight in the east as well and if we dropped the three points today, they were going to be right on our tail. This is an opportunity that we were able to seize, you know create a little bit of distance between us and what I think is a very good team in Philadelphia, and also we harbor some ambition to win the east, it keeps us in touch with New York City right now, who is on top of the east. Like I said, winning on the road is very difficult in the league and I don’t know how much people really appreciate that and anytime we can come in and go against a team like Philadelphia and pick up three points on the road, then you take that every time.
Jozy Altidore
On coming back to full fitness…
Yeah, obviously it’s very important to help the team as we get ready to make that push for the playoffs and just being out here, contributing and feeling good, happy, but most importantly we got the three points. Little bit distance now between us and Philly, and we are just trying to get that final push.
On his connection with Giovinco…
Yeah I mean even before that [injury] I think the best moment we had was our first season together, when we started up together and I feel like we are getting back to it and Seba, he is a really great player. I think the team did really good tonight, protecting the lead.
On winning games on the road…
Yeah it’s huge. We have another homestand coming up and we have a lot of pressure on us to win games and take of things on the road will help us and then we have a great crowd waiting for us at home.
Drew Moor
On the game…
“I think it was some very good finishing. Seba and Jozy with fantastic goals. We started the game really well; I thought the first half was good. But I think it was our work ethic, our commitment, the way we played together as a group. I think the most positive thing I’m taking away from tonight is that nobody in this locker room is completely satisfied with the performance. The result is fantastic, but I think we also feel we have more to offer, our second half performance was not good enough. When you are on the road against the Union and you come in here and win 3-1 and feel like you have more to offer, to me that’s a sign of a team that is committed to go very deep this season.
On facing an Eastern Conference Opponent …
“Yeah and I think that has been our mentality in the past month or so, and that has to be our mentality going forward. It’s nothing but Eastern Conference teams from here on out I believe. Teams that are fighting for playoff spots, teams that are close to us in the standings, and we still have a team that we had to catch, that’s in front of us in the East right now. Anytime we can get three points against a Eastern Conference opponent it’s a huge victory right now and certainly that’s an extra incentive.
On the return of Will Johnson…
“He is a huge member of this team, the energy that he brings, the spots that he finds, the passes that me makes, he is a very good person to have on the field. I feel very confident and safe when he is out there.
