Toronto FC “had a degree to show” in shock upset of San Diego

The Reds entered Snapdragon Stadium, a venue the place their hosts had solely misplaced twice beforehand, with a chip on their shoulder. Their opponent, SDFC, are within the midst of the most effective seasons in MLS historical past by an enlargement facet, sitting atop the Western Convention. TFC, in the meantime, had gained simply as soon as of their final seven matches.

Nevertheless it was clear from the primary kick that Toronto had discovered from their most up-to-date outing, a devastating 1-1 draw at house vs. Atlanta United, wherein they conceded a penalty kick objective within the eleventh minute of second-half stoppage time.

Toronto appeared motivated to alter the notion of their season.

“We felt like we had a degree to show right this moment,” mentioned the goalscorer Corbeanu.

Corbeanu can take private satisfaction within the win. It was his motion into the field that drew the pivotal penalty within the 18th minute, and his penalty kick that sealed the deal.

Corbeanu has now scored twice in his final 5 matches and is as much as a team-best 5 targets on the season. He is generated six objective contributions (5g/1a) since arriving on mortgage from Grenada in February, and appears to be beginning to evolve into the dependable attacking possibility many TFC followers had hoped for when he joined from the Spanish second-division facet.

“We’re seeing numerous maturity in Theo, in his determination making, and in his perception that he’s going to be harmful,” mentioned head coach Robin Fraser. “He simply feels very assured proper now.”

Corbeanu wasn’t the one participant feeling assured. TFC saved San Diego from making a single huge probability, didn’t enable a shot towards till the forty seventh minute, and have been typically in a position to disrupt the hosts by profitable nearly all of duels and defensive actions.

Fraser’s males proved their level.

“We requested them to do some uncommon issues and to remain disciplined,” Frazer continued. “It was a very good recreation from the fellows.”

Toronto earned their proof-of-concept win in how they neutralized one of many league’s most potent possession-based assaults. In Frazer’s phrases, Wednesday’s success got here because of his group’s complete dedication, one thing he believes his squad is able to executing extra usually.

“The extent of engagement has to hold on now,” Fraser mentioned.

The highway doesn’t get any simpler for Toronto, who’re 11 factors under the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs line with 12 matches remaining, as they hope to return to the postseason for the primary time since 2020.

With a Saturday contest at Japanese Convention powerhouse Nashville SC looming (8:30 pm ET | MLS Season Cross, Apple TV+), Fraser might want to see extra of the identical.