Giovinco nailed the insurance goal in the 78th minute, cutting past two Red Bull defenders before rounding a bewildered Zubar and slotting his shot past Robles.
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Giovinco linked up with the latest Italian squad as their Euro 2016 qualification campaign drew to a close on Tuesday.
New York substitute Shawn Wright-Phillips cut the lead in half with minutes remaining, blasting a failed clearance past Chris Konopka from the top of the area.
Sebastian Giovinco scored his 22nd goal of the season as Toronto FC clinched its first playoff appearance.
Fanendo Adi scored on a penalty kick in the 54th minute, and the Portland Timbers beat 10-man Real Salt Lake 1-0 on Wednesday night for their third straight road win in the series.
The Italy global has played a direct hand in at least five more goals than any other player in MLS this season (33 – 21 goals + 12 assists), but has cooled talk of a move to Barcelona.
They come into this one off the back of their 2-1 home win over Montreal Impact. Damien Perquis left the match in the 44th minute after a collision with Gonzalo Veron. Gomez’s ball curled towards the goal but Perquis just missed his headed attempt, although the ball still almost found its way past Robles.
In a freakish incident in the 34th minute, Altidore was red carded from the bench for using foul and abusive language during an altercation with Bazakos and his assistants.
More important for Vanney was that the club achieved another milestone, registering their first-ever four-game winning streak, all four at home.
The top two finishers in each conference receive first-round byes in the playoffs.
The U-16 team completed a hard first round of Generation adidas Cup qualifiers with a 4-0 loss to New York Red Bulls on Monday afternoon.
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Michael Bradley wasn’t available Wednesday night as he nurses what the club is calling a “minor” groin issue.
