Toronto FC 3, Vancouver Whitecaps 0 | 2020 MLS Regular Season Match Recap

Piatti opens MLS account with brace as TFC cruise

Pablo Piatti scored his first two MLS goals, including a ferocious opener from distance in the 27th minute, and Toronto FC returned to MLS action with a dominant display in a 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Field. 


Nick DeLeon also scored late for the hosts, who are now unbeaten in their first six league matches dating way back to Feb. 29 (3W-0L-3D), after outshooting Vancouver 24-4 overall and 8-1 in terms of efforts on target.


Jonathan Osorio provided the primary assist on both of Piatti's tallies. Jozy Altidore also contributed an assist in his first regular season start since March 7, and Alejandro Pozuelo assisted DeLeon's insurance effort.


Goals


  • 27' - TOR - Pablo Piatti | WATCH
  • 55' - TOR - Pablo Piatti | WATCH
  • 83' - TOR - Nick DeLeon | WATCH


Three Things


THE BIG PICTURE:
 Vancouver welcomed back three players who sat out the MLS is Back Tournament. Striker
Lucas Cavallini
had a promising look at goal or two,
Andy Rose
also started and
Tosaint Ricketts
entered late. The performance, however, didn't suggest a squad that had been reinforced following their Cinderella MLS is Back Round of 16 run. Meanwhile, Toronto continued a 16-match league unbeaten run dating back to last season.

  • MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Piatti hadn't scored a goal in competitive action since Jan. 17, 2019 for Espanyol in Copa del Rey. He struck his first on Tuesday like he very, very much wanted to end his drought, now history after 579 days.

  • MAN OF THE MATCH:
    Pablo Piatti. Osorio was also good and Pozuelo was his typical influential self, but this was never going to go to anyone other than the 31-year-old Argentine
    Designated Player
    after ending his lengthy wait — in terms of the calendar — for a goal in a Toronto shirt since he signed in early February.

    Up Next


    • Toronto FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: Friday, Aug. 21 (8 pm ET | TSN 4/5 in Canada, MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US)