NYCFC Suffers 4-0 thrashing at the Hands of Toronto FC

New York City FC failed to seize a golden opportunity to claim a share of first place in the Eastern Conference standings Sunday afternoon.

Game Summary:

New York City FC entered BMO Field with a chance to clinch a share of first place in the Eastern Conference with a win, but NYCFC left Canada that night licking their wounds after a resounding 4-0 thrashing to Toronto FC.

The game was a back and forth scoreless affair until the 32nd minute when Toronto forward Sebastian Giovinco danced around Andrea Pirlo outside the box and curled in a far post stunner past keeper Sean Johnson. New York was able to limit the damage and the score remained 1-0 at the end of the first half, but the game would slip away from the Boys in Blue when play resumed.

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Toronto spent the entire second half on the attack and would ultimately break through again in the 67th minute thanks to another wonder-strike from Giovinco, this time on a penalty kick from outside the box. NYCFC completely unraveled after Toronto’s second goal thanks to a rash of sloppy defending from New York’s backline.

The Reds were awarded a penalty in the 74th minute after Alexander Callens dragged down Toronto striker Jozy Altidore in the penalty box. Altidore coolly converted the spot kick in the 75th minute to put Toronto up 3-0 with 15 minutes left to play.

Toronto finalized their goal tally in the 82nd minute when an unmarked Raheem Edwards corralled a Giovinco chip and volleyed the ball into the back of the net for Toronto’s fourth and final goal of the match.

New York was gifted an opportunity in stoppage time to ruin the home side’s shutout bid when Reds defender Marco Delgado was called for a hand ball inside the penalty area. Unfortunately, Maxi Morález skied his attempt over the crossbar.

Referee Chris Penso blew the final whistle shortly after and New York left Canada shut out for the second time this season.

TORONTO, ON – MAY 07: Sebastian Giovinco /

Man of the Match: Sebastian Giovinco

Giovinco has been a thorn in the Pigeons’ side for quite some time and that trend continued Sunday afternoon. The Italian international recorded a brace and one assist against the Boys in Blue, made several darting runs throughout the game that consistently stretched NYCFC’s back line, and orchestrated several counters that put Toronto in a position to score.

Officiating Review: Chris Penso

Penso officiated a clean, free-flowing first half Sunday afternoon and allowed both teams to establish a rhythm in the first 45 minutes. However, the second half was a completely different story. The final 45 minutes had several stoppages that interrupted the flow that was established in the first half and may have had an effect on NYCFC’s overall performance.

Penso eclipsed his season average for foul calls Sunday afternoon, calling 18 fouls throughout the match. He also awarded a controversial penalty in the 74th minute when Jozy Altidore went down in the penalty box, which ultimately buried any chance for NYCFC to get back in the game.

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 13: Andrea Pirlo (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

The Pirlo Report:

Andrea Pirlo started in place of the suspended midfielder Yangel Herrera in this match and was a huge disappointment. While he made several world-class passes, Pirlo was a huge liability on defense when he was on the field. Sean Okoli replaced the Italian international in the 68th minute and it looks unlikely that he’ll start another game this season after the performance he put in.

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Up Next: New York Red Bulls, 8/6, 6:00 pm ET kick

NYCFC will look to rebound at home against the New York Red Bulls in the Hudson River Derby next Sunday. A win over their cross-river rivals might be just what the club needs to shake off the sting of this resounding defeat.

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NYCFC Suffers 4-0 Thrashing at the Hands of Toronto FC

By Mike Esposito | Jul 31, 2017