Giovinco gives TFC 2-1 Leg 1 semifinal win
HARRISON, N.J. — The brotherhood of goalkeepers was on display Monday night as Alex Bono went over to commiserate with Luis Robles, his New York Red Bulls counterpart, after Toronto FC’s 2-1 Major League Soccer playoff win.
Robles had become the latest victim of a Sebastian Giovinco free kick.
“I said ‘Listen, I’ve been there after training when he’s set up a wall of mannequins and he’s done that to me. I know exactly how you feel,’ ” said Bono.
Asked if he ever stopped a Giovinco special, Bono smiled and said: “Once in a while.”
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal turned in the 72nd minute when, with the score tied 1-1, Brazilian midfielder Felipe took Giovinco down outside the box. The Italian promptly made the Red Bulls pay, curling the ball over the wall and out of the reach of Robles.
Toronto had been on its heels in the second half until Giovinco restored its lead.
It was Giovinco’s seventh goal from a direct free kick this season. His six during the regular-season are a league record as are his 13 over his three MLS seasons (the most of any player in the league’s history since 2003 when the stat was first kept).
“He’s amazing,” said Toronto coach Greg Vanney. “We talk about it all the time but the knack to step up in the moment and make a play is what star players do.”
Victor Vazquez scored in the eighth minute for Toronto, piling the pressure on the home team.
Daniel Royer scored from the penalty spot for the Red Bulls in first-half stoppage time.
The two teams meet again Sunday in the return leg of the Eastern Conference semifinal at BMO Field, where Toronto led the league with a .853 home winning percentage (131-3) this season.