(Toronto, Ontario, Canada) March 3, 2018 – Toronto FC lost just a single home game last year en route to MLS Cup glory. One game into the 2018 season and they’re already in the loss column at BMO Field.
Columbus Crew SC came into Toronto on a mission and it showed in Saturday’s 2-0 triumph over the Reds. Federico Higuain and Gyasi Zardes tallied goals on opposite ends of halftime to lead the visitors to victory. It marked the Black and Gold’s first win in Toronto since October 17, 2015.
Federico Higuain, Gyasi Zardes Goals Help Columbus Crew SC Spoil Toronto FC Home Opener
The visitors didn’t sit back and play conservatively in this game. They took it to the defending league champs from the opening whistle. It showed in the fact that they outshot Toronto 8-4 in the opening 45 minutes of the game. That assertiveness paid off at the end of the first half.
Defensive midfielder Artur pinged a pinpoint long diagonal towards the left flank of the field. It found fullback Milton Valenzuela who collected the ball and volleyed it into the box. The young Argentinian found his much older countryman in Higuain who blasted it past TFC goalkeeper Alex Bono to give Columbus a 1-0 lead.
https://twitter.com/JogaBonito_USA/status/970011134727213056
The advantage doubled practically right out of the locker room. 52 seconds after second-half kickoff, Zardes opened his account for the club. He came onto a surgical ball from Pedro Santos and made no mistake with the finish. It had to feel good for the 26-year-old to score in his first game of 2018 considering he registered a career-low two goals last season.
G⚽️⚽️AL!
😱 that pass from @Pedro32santos, 😍 that finish from @gyasinho!#TORvCLB | #CrewSC pic.twitter.com/16Labtu6Fp— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) March 3, 2018
The opening weekend of MLS action is far from over with Crew SC and TFC the first out of the gates. But for now, Gregg Berhalter’s bunch can revel in the fact they did something only one other team did last year: win in Toronto.
Crew SC is back in action a week from today when they welcome the Montreal Impact to Ohio’s capital city for their home opener. Kickoff from MAPFRE Stadium is set for 1:00 PM ET.
