TORONTO – Inspired by the goal-scoring heroics of Spain’s finest, David Villa powered his New York City FC side through Toronto FC at BMO Field.
INTERVIEWS: Greg Vanney | Michael Bradley
With his teammates putting on a physical display behind him and locking down Toronto’s offensive threats, Villa scored a brace to give New York City a third straight win via a 2-0 victory.
The first half started at a blistering pace and stayed that way over the 45 minutes. NYCFC's midfielders and forwards swarmed Toronto FC’s back line, and the expansion side's defenders were all over Sebastian Giovinco, Michael Bradley and Luke Moore throughout the Eastern Conference affair.
But it was a penalty that opened the scoring in the eighth minute. After referee Allen Chapman called for a handball on Benoit Cheyrou, Villa buried the ball from the spot.
Toronto FC nearly found an equalizer at the half-hour mark after Giovinco played in an onrushing Ashtone Morgan off the left. The Canadian proceeded to send in a low cross that found the foot of Bradley, but NYCFC goalkeeper Josh Saunders saved that shot at close-range.
Saunders also came up with two other timely stops in a first-half stretch of about a minute-and-a-half, blocking a Giovinco free kick and Moore effort from approximately 14 yards out.
The second half kicked off with the same intensity and speed of play from the two sides, with New York City taking in Toronto’s attacking pressure and looking to counterattack with quick movement.
NYCFC's strategy paid off in the 57th minute as a mistake by Eriq Zavaleta helped allow Mehdi Ballouchy to find Villa in the middle of the box. The Spanish forward tapped home the close-range effort, giving New York City a 2-0 lead at the hour mark.
Try as Toronto FC might, the home side just couldn’t find a clear look at goal. NYCFC's physicality kept Giovinco at bay throughout the match, and not even the introductions of Jozy Altidore, Jackson and Robbie Findley as substitutes could bolster Toronto's attack.
Toronto FC next takes on bitter rivals the Montreal Impact at BMO Field on June 24 while New York City FC prepares for a local derby at Yankee Stadium against the New York Red Bulls on June 28 for MLS rivalry week.
