Giovinco inspires Red-hot Toronto
Supporters' Shield leader Toronto FC extended its MLS winning streak with a derby victory over Montreal Impact, while LA Galaxy was swept aside by San Jose Earthquakes.
Sebastian Giovinco scored twice as MLS pacesetters Toronto defeated the Impact 3-1 on Monday (AEST) for its fourth consecutive win.
Former Juventus forward Giovinco broke the deadlock four minutes before half-time, curling a stunning free-kick past Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush.
Jozy Altidore – named in the United States' squad for CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Honduras – doubled the lead seven minutes into the second half.
Ignacio Piatti reduced the deficit in the 92nd minute but Giovinco restored Toronto's two-goal cushion a minute later as he took his season tally to 15 league goals.
Toronto – top of the Eastern Conference – is nine points clear in the race for the Shield, while the Impact is seventh in the standings and adrift of Atlanta United on goal difference.
It was a day to forget for 10-man LA Galaxy, which crashed to a 3-0 defeat at home to rivals San Jose Earthquakes.
Substitute Nathan Smith was sent off in the 57th minute after Valeri Qazaishvili put the Earthquakes ahead in first-half stoppage time.
And the floodgates opened as Marco Urena and USA international Chris Wondolowski condemned the lowly Galaxy to a fourth consecutive defeat.
Winless in 10 matches, the Galaxy is second from bottom in the Western Conference, while the Earthquakes are sixth.
Reigning MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers played out a 1-1 draw.
