One of the best individual goals of the season ended up making the difference in Toronto FC’s 2-1 victory over FC Cincinnati at BMO Field on Saturday night.
In the 50th minute, Jozy Altidore received the ball on the left side of the field, took a dribble back, turned and sent a shot flying into the back of the net for what turned out to be the game-winning goal for Greg Vanney’s side.
The victory allowed Toronto FC to keep pace with the New England Revolution for seventh place in the Eastern Conference. The Revs are ahead of Toronto by one point going into August.
Before Altidore delivered his piece of individual beauty five minutes into the second half, Nick DeLeon put the Reds ahead in the 18th minute.
DeLeon flicked on a header into the back of the net after Omar Gonzalez directed the ball forward with his head off a corner kick taken by Alejandro Pozuelo.
Now that's using the ol' noggin! @NickDeLeon7 makes it 1-0 for @TorontoFC. #TORvCIN pic.twitter.com/kiv9pViCyZ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 28, 2019
The goal was the fifth of the season for the former D.C. United midfielder, who is one strike away from tying his career high in a single campaign.
DeLeon tacked on an assist to his game totals in the 50th minute, when he played in Altidore with a ball on the left side of the field.
Altidore was given plenty of space by the FC Cincinnati defense to extend his scoring streak to four consecutive games.
Okay, @jozyaltidore, okay. 🔥  #TORvCIN pic.twitter.com/y6RtUiw358
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 28, 2019
The expansion side pulled a goal back eight minutes after the eventual game-winner through Emmanuel Ledesma.
Ledesman rocketed his shot into the back of the net from the top of penalty area. The attacking move began when the ball was turned over by Toronto FC’s Quentin Westberg on a goal kick.
After the break for the MLS All-Star Game, FC Cincinnati returns home to play Vancouver on Saturday, while Toronto FC visits the New York Red Bulls on the same day.