Without the services of their star strikers Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore, some questioned whether Toronto FC could keep superb form rolling when they crisscrossed the continent to face the LA Galaxy on Saturday night.
Ninety minutes and four goals later, the answer was had: a 4-0 win, three more points, winning and unbeaten streaks intact, and a few more records to boot.
At the centre of much of the action on the night was Tosaint Ricketts, who notched two goals deputizing for the two designated players. Were it not for an offside flag and an excellent save from Galaxy keeper Jon Kempin, he would have had two more.
“He's chomping at the bit right now; wanting to get out there,” said Greg Vanney post-match of Ricketts. “He has a tough task with the two guys in front of him, but he's a guy, especially when there is space on the field, space to get behind, that can do some damage.”
“Tonight was a very good opportunity for him,” continued Vanney. “And he showed very well.”
His first goal in the 37th minute came when a timely run in front of the LA defender, Michael Ciani, allowed Ricketts to pounce on a ball cut down the right-side of the box by Nicolas Hasler. A lightning-fast, first-time strike caught Kempin unbalanced to find the back of the net, reinforcing the Toronto lead established by Drew Moor's alert header from Victor Vazquez's surprise free-kick in the 24th minute – Ricketts' energy played a role there too, winning the free-kick.
“We have quality in the team,” said Ricketts. “I know if I make the proper runs, my team will find me in the space, and I [can] stick to what I do best; do what I can for the team.”
Denied by a flag on the hour-mark from another Hasler set-up, Ricketts beat Kempin again come the 76th minute, capping off some fine passing between Jonathan Osorio and Vazquez, who scythed through the middle of the LA defence with a tidy one-two.
Eleven minutes later, after Vazquez added the fourth, Armando Cooper put Ricketts down the right-side of the box, only for Kempin to deny him his hat-trick.
Largely relied upon off the bench, Ricketts was making just his sixth start of the season. Through 19 appearances, the Canadian international has five goals this season, equalling Justin Morrow as fourth-most at the club.
In a little over a year in Toronto, having joined last July, Ricketts has proven himself invaluable, just as Altidore proclaimed last November when Tosaint's heroics in the post-season saw him score crucial late goals off the bench against both NYCFC and the Montreal Impact.
With the post-season fast approaching, having Ricketts on song bodes well.
“Whenever you can get some minutes it’s good,” said Ricketts. “It hasn’t been easy this year, getting minutes here and with the national team. You just have to take your opportunities when they come.”
“I try to do the same thing every time I get on the field,” continued Ricketts. “Whether it’s for the start or for five minutes, I try to give everything, give it my all. That what I’m here for: to step up and do whatever I can for my team.”
Though some may have not seen such an emphatic result coming, Ricketts was not among them.
“Not surprised at all,” said the striker. “This team has a lot of character; we’ve been showing it all year. Yeah, we got the win, but it’s not enough for these guys. We want to keep pushing. We want to keep going for the Supporters’ Shield and then off to the playoffs.”
And as for that 'best in MLS' moniker making the rounds?
“It’s nice to hear, but we don’t let it get to our heads,” said Ricketts. “We just take it one game at time.”
