New York City FC 0, Toronto FC 5 | 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs Match Recap

Ben Couch

Holding a 2-0 aggregate lead entering the second leg of their Eastern Conference Semifinal against New York City FC, Toronto FC and singular star Sebastian Giovinco took only six minutes to put it away.

The 5-0 victory at Yankee Stadium left Toronto FC with an MLS postseason record 7-0 aggregate tally, and the Reds advance to the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Championship, in which they'll oppose Canadian rival Montreal Impact in a two-leg series.

NYCFC rookie Jack Harrison turned the ball over in his own half, and Jozy Altidore found Giovinco at the left corner of the 18-yard box. Taking a dribble toward the middle, Giovinco beat the defender to the ball and rocketed a low shot back toward the left corner and into the back of the net.

Just 13 minutes later, Giovinco took Frederic Brillant 1-on-1, blowing past him and forcing the French defender to reach out in desperation; the subsequent trip put Giovinco at the penalty spot, where he coolly converted low and left for the quick brace. The fourth hat trick in MLS Cup Playoffs history was completed with a knuckler in the 1st minute of second-half stoppage time.

Any remaining doubt was erased in the 30th, when Altidore rocketed in a third goal, pushing the aggregate score to 5-0 and forcing New York to chase six goals in the remaining hour. After halftime, Giovinco slipped a through ball to Will Johnson, who one-timed a cross to Jonathan Osorio, whose clean strike sealed the 4-0 final.

NYC:Villa: "Everything is bad" in loss to Toronto FC
NYC: Despite ugly loss, NYCFC say 2016 goals were met
TOR: Seba: "Everything will be put into winning MLS Cup"
TOR: Eye on MTL, Reds "continuing to develop a culture"

Box Score

6' – TOR – Sebastian Giovinco (Jozy Altidore)
19' – TOR – Sebastian Giovinco (PK)
30' – TOR – Jozy Altidore (Eriq Zaveleta)
50' – TOR – Jonathan Osorio (Will Johnson, Sebastian Giovinco)
90'+1' – TOR – Sebastian Giovinco (Nick Hagglund)
Full Box Score
Stats
Watch Highlights

Three Things

SEBA, SERIOUSLY?
Bruh:

That touch though. #NYCvTOR https://t.co/ImorYyvDVn
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 7, 2016

As if we needed more evidence Sebastian Giovinco was spectacular. That goal – just six minutes in – basically iced the series. Since returning to the lineup October 16, Giovinco has tallied four goals and four assists in five games (two postseason). Yeesh.

LIVING THAT #NEWB LIFE: New York City FC made their postseason debut in this Conference Semifinals, and – as it was for Toronto FC last season – found themselves quickly on the outside, throughly outplayed by more experienced opposition. Getting blanked was bad enough, but suffering a record 7-0 aggregate defeat (Previously: LA 5, RSL 0; 2014) opens a wound that will fester for a Bronx offseason.

O CANADA: After last season's ingnominous 401 Derby defeat in the Knockout Round, Toronto FC gets an opportunity for revenge in the Easter Conference Championship, which opens November 22 against rival Montreal Impact at Olympic Stadium in the MTL. Considering the form both teams have shown in advancing out of the Knockouts, with Montreal knocking off the East-leading New York Red Bulls, we're in for a wild round.