DC United scores seven goals and wins big against Toronto FC. They also created a mini two-game winning streak for themselves. This is thanks to a 7-1 thrashing of Toronto. TFC has now lost six straight MLS games. This is also the biggest loss Toronto has ever experienced in an MLS game.
DC United scores seven goals in 7-1 thrashing of Toronto FC
Three keys to the game
Full Game Summary:#VamosUnited had a terrific start to the game.#TFCLive's defence did not play well.
Eriq Zavaleta's yellow card gave all the momentum of the game to D.C. United.#DCvTOR | 7-1 | #MLS
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) July 3, 2021
DC United had a terrific start to the game
This season, Toronto FC has given up the first goal of the game too many times. This happened on June 27 against FC Cincinnati. This Saturday, TFC conceded the first goal of the game. In fact, in this game, they gave up three goals in the first 21 minutes of play.
What a way to score your first, @KParedes_7 🤩🤩#DCU | @FanDuel pic.twitter.com/KaSjjNvREe
— D.C. United (@dcunited) July 3, 2021
Congrats to Kevin Paredes, who scored his first-ever MLS goal. Andy Najar though made a terrific pass to Parades for the goal. However, this goal seen above will be a trend of how the game went. DC United would find a way to easily get into dangerous scoring positions to score. This is how Toronto lost this game so badly against Washington, D.C.
Nigel Robertha: GOAL SCORER#DCU | @FanDuel pic.twitter.com/0FNZZ8X1bA
— D.C. United (@dcunited) July 3, 2021
With only eight minutes played, Nigel Robertha scored the United’s second goal. It was a great finish by Robertha and also a great pass from Júnior Moreno to set up the goal. Unfortunately, the Canadian defence was not good enough on that play and allowed Washington, D.C. to get a clear shot on goal.
The third goal was an own goal committed by TFC that happened in the 21-minute. Jacob Shaffelburg made a bad defensive play in the game. This allowed Washington, D.C. to get into the box. Russell Canouse shot the ball, which hit Ralph Priso-Mbongue and went into the back of the net. This meant three goals in the first 21 minutes of play.
Toronto FC’s defence was not up to par
There is a lot of ways to describe Toronto’s defence. Unfortunately, Toronto’s defence was just not good enough against Washington, D.C. Yes, Ayo Akinola scored in the first half thanks to a great pass from Michael Bradley. However, it was still a 3-1 United lead after the first half. They did not start the second half well. Toronto allowed United to get the first three shots of the game. They also had two big chances in the 65-minute and 67-minute but missed the target.
.@Andy_Najar1993 ➡️ @PaulArriola #DCU | @FanDuel pic.twitter.com/Ijt9le17Fd
— D.C. United (@dcunited) July 3, 2021
This should have been a warning sign for Toronto. The reason is that in the 71-minute, Andy Najar passed the ball to Paul Arriola for the goal. Arriola made a great move to get past the Toronto defence. However, it also looked way too easy for United.
Eriq Zavaleta getting a red card
78' #TFCLive player Eriq Zavaleta gets a second yellow and a red card! Toronto are now a man down. #DCvTOR | 4-1 | #MLS
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) July 3, 2021
Eriq Zavaleta got a second yellow in the 78-minute. This meant that Zavaleta got a red and was sent off from the game. While this was not a game-breaker like the previous two times, it did tilt the game in United’s favour.
Ola Kamara scored the goal thanks to a cross by Griffin Yow. Kamara easily got past the TFC defence and scored in the 81-minute. Yamil Asad and Yow would also score goals to win 7-1 at Audi Field. TFC looked out of sorts after Zavaleta scored and was just hoping for the whistle to blow. It was the worst game TFC has played in the 2021 MLS season so far.
Toronto FC – DC United Game Overview
Historic night at Audi Field 🖤❤️ pic.twitter.com/SJfhC481st
— D.C. United (@dcunited) July 4, 2021
DC United scores seven goals in a big win over Toronto FC. Washington, D.C. did what they needed to do to keep themselves in a playoff spot. They got another win and created a mini two-game winning streak for themselves. Bill Hamid did a good job stopping two shots in the first five minutes of play. This allowed Washington, D.C. to have a terrific start in the first half. As a result, Washington, D.C. is in sixth place with 16 points. New York Red Bulls, CF Montréal, and Columbus Crew SC also have 16 points. However, Washington, D.C. has a better goal differential than all these teams and therefore are sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto had chances to score and did not take advantage of some of them. However, when a team loses 7-1, there are obviously other more important reasons why the team lost. This game should be a wake-up call for Toronto. Their defence really needs to improve. To give up three goals in the first 21 minutes of play should not be accepted in Toronto’s dressing room. One should also be very critical of Toronto head coach Chris Armas. TFC almost won Supporters’ Shield last year and is now having trouble keeping goals out of the net in MLS. There is also the issue of Jozy Altidore and whether he will return to Toronto or not.
What Toronto’s dressing room can draw from is 2019. They started that season quite poorly but got hot and won a lot of games at the right time. They ended up getting an MLS playoff spot. Toronto then made the MLS Cup Final, only to lose to the Seattle Sounders FC. Time though is running short. They are currently last in the Eastern Conference and the league with only five points with 11 games played. More significantly, they have given up 27 goals, which is most of any MLS team this season.
Toronto’s next game is on July 7 against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. They will then not play again until July 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET to face Orlando City SC. Both will be shown on TSN and ESPN+ at 7:00 p.m. ET. This is while DC United will not play until July 17 against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park. The game will take place at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be shown on NBCSWA, dcunited.com, and TeleXitos.
