TORONTO—After a run of three losses put clinching a playoff spot beyond immediate grasp, criticism had begun swirling in the now-stormy air surrounding Greg Vanney's side at BMO Field.
Toronto FC responded with a rain-soaked 3-1 victory over Colorado on Saturday afternoon in the first of five-straight home matches, a stretch that will determine their season. Playing their third match in six days amidst an at-times torrential downpour, TFC earned all three available points.
“I'm proud of their effort,” Vanney said. “A lot of people [have] been saying a lot of things about this team, and they proved today that they are competitors.”
That it ever seemed in doubt vexed Vanney, prompting him caution: anybody who questioned that must not know the team or its players.
"I heard a comment about 'Our guys don't like to play with each other' [and] I think it's nonsense," Vanney said. "I shared it with the group and they were pissed off as I was. They have a chip on their shoulder, as they should.”
“We always have something to prove – and we're going to step on the field to prove it, every time we play.”
Sebastian Giovinco once again catalyzed the team, tearing through the Colorado defense and ending a three-game drought with a goal in the 14th minute. He added another four minutes later, and assisted the third goal, sending a corner kick that Damien Perquis rose up to meet at the near-post, bringing the Italian's season totals to 19 goals and 14 assists.
Giovinco would leave the match frustrated in the 85th minute, taking his time to substitute off as a form of silent protest. Asked if he felt the treatment was getting worse as the season progressed, Giovinco only smiled: “That's what it feels like.”
Said Vanney: “He'd prefer to be protected a little bit more over the course of games.”
Club captain Michael Bradley, stoic as ever, would not be drawn out.
“I could care less,” he said. “The jury can come out [at the] end of the year. Until then, none of it interests me in the least.”
“All year we've had one eye on this final stretch, knowing that we were going to get five games at home. it's a huge opportunity for us ... We played well, took care of business. Step one in the right direction.”
