Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco celebrates his goal against the Philadelphia Union during the first half of an MLS soccer playoff match in Toronto, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) - Sebastian Giovinco had a goal and two assists to lead Toronto FC to the first MLS playoff victory in franchise history, 3-1 over the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night in a knockout game.
Toronto will host New York City FC on Sunday in the opening game of the two-legged Eastern Conference semifinal.
Jonathan Osorio and Jozy Altidore also scored for Toronto.
Alejandro Bedoya scored for the Union in the 73rd minute to cut the lead to 2-1. But Giovinco, after drawing three defenders, found Altidore in the 85th minute and the U.S. international, after a fortuitous bounce off a defender, sent a low shot home.
Altidore and several teammates jumped the advertising hoardings at the south end and disappeared briefly into the stands to celebrate.
Sixth-place Philadelphia started well, taking the game to Toronto. But the home side struck first in the 15th minute with Altidore muscling his way into Philadelphia territory. Defender Ken Tribbett hooked the ball away awkwardly towards his own penalty box and goalkeeper Andre Blake tried to meet it. Altidore beat him to it, flicking the ball over to Giovinco, who got a leg to it to send the ball high into the net.
Osorio made it 2-0 three minutes into the second half off Giovinco's corner. Altidore and Toronto defender Nick Hagglund collided and the ball bounced off Hagglund's chest to Osorio, who belted it home.
Toronto FC's Drew Moor, right, battles for the ball with Philadelphia Union's C.J. Sapong during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Philadelphia Union's C.J. Sapong, left, and Toronto FC's Drew Moor battles for the ball as Toronto's Eriq Zavaleta and Philadelphia's Richie Marquez watch during the first half of an MLS soccer playoff match in Toronto, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco celebrates his goal against the Philadelphia Union during the first half of an MLS soccer playoff match in Toronto, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC's Jonathan Osorio, right, shoots past Philadelphia Union's Warren Creavalle during the first half of an MLS soccer playoff match in Toronto, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC's Jonathan Osorio, right, trips in front of Philadelphia Union's Alejandro Bedoya during the first half of an MLS soccer playoff match in Toronto, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco, right, battles with Philadelphia Union's Warren Creavalle during the first half of an MLS soccer playoff match in Toronto, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press