Giovinco scores twice, streaking Toronto beats Montreal 3-1 (Aug 27, 2017)

By AP
Published

MONTREAL (AP) Sebastian Giovinco scored twice, Jozy Altidore added a goal and MLS-leading Toronto FC beat the Montreal Impact 3-1 on Sunday to run its unbeaten streak to nine games.

With seven games left in the regular season, Toronto (16-3-8) - which hasn't lost since a 3-1 setback in Dallas on July 1 - remained on pace for the most points in MLS history. Toronto has 56 points, 12 shy of the league record set by the Los Angeles Galaxy in 1998. The Reds also improved their MLS-best road record to 6-3-5.

Ignacio Piatti scored his 15th goal for Montreal (10-9-6) in second-half stoppage time. The Impact had won four straight.

The boisterous crowd booed when Altidore sold a heavy fall to the ground to referee Robert Sibiga when he felt Blerim Dzemaili's hand on his back, giving Toronto a free kick from about 22 yards in front of the Montreal goal.

Giovinco, perhaps the league's most dangerous dead-ball kicker, left goalkeeper Evan Bush no chance as he curled it over the wall and inside the near post in the 41st minute. The Italian took a dig at Montreal fans by pretending to wipe tears away as part of his celebration.

Dzemaili was shown the yellow card just before halftime as he protested Sibiga's calls.

Altidore connected in the 52nd minute. Victor Vazquez put a long throw-in down the right side for Marky Delgado. The midfielder sent a cross into the middle for Altidore to redirect past Bush for his 11th goal.

After Piatti cut it to 2-1, Giovinco completed the scoring in the final seconds with his 15th of the season.