Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco (10) celebrates his second goal of the match during second-half MLS soccer game action against the Chicago Fire in Toronto, Friday, April 21, 2017. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) - Sebastian Giovinco scored twice and Toronto FC defeated the Chicago Fire 3-1 on Friday night, handing German star Bastian Schweinsteiger his first loss in Major League Soccer.
Giovinco upped his season goal total to three, punctuating the victory with a free kick to the top corner in the 82nd minute.
A goal away from a hat trick, he was not happy to be taken off in the 84th minute, slapping a stanchion as he headed to the dressing room.
Eriq Zavaleta also scored for Toronto (2-1-4) while Spanish playmaker Victor Vazquez notched his fourth assist of the season.
Substitute David Accam scored for Chicago in the 88th minute. It was the Fire's only shot on target.
Giovinco fired 11 shots on the game - with six on target.
Toronto's only previous win this season was March 18 in Vancouver. And it marked its first victory at home since Nov. 30, when Toronto beat Montreal 5-2 in the second leg of the Eastern Conference final.
Chicago (3-2-2) arrived on a good run of home form, but had a hard time generating offense on the road.
Giovinco found the net in the 28th minute, taking a pass from Vazquez and then deftly making room for a shot through defender Michael Harrington's legs. Giovinco celebrated the goal by heading to the corner and blowing kisses.
The play started with captain Michael Bradley intercepting a Chicago pass.
Chicago goalkeeper Jorge Bava had to tip over a Giovinco free kick in the 32nd minute.
On the ensuing corner, Toronto took advantage of Chicago's defending with Zavaleta's powerful header from a Justin Morrow cross beating Bava.
It was the defender's second career goal and he celebrated by pointing to the sky in tribute to his grandmother - head coach Greg Vanney's mother - who died last week in Arizona.
The Toronto visit marked the first MLS away game for Schweinsteiger, who scored two goals in his first three home games for the Fire.
He had a relatively quiet evening, firing a shot high over the bar in the first half.
Chicago arrived on the heels of two shutout wins and was unbeaten in three games. Coach Veljko Paunovic stuck with the same starting 11 that beat New England 2-0 last weekend.
Chicago Fire goalkeeper Jorge Bava (1) fails to put the stop on a shot from Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco during second-half MLS soccer game action in Toronto, Friday, April 21, 2017. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC forward Eriq Zavaleta (15) sends a header through the Chicago Fire defense to score during first-half MLS soccer game action in Toronto, Friday, April 21, 2017. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC forward Eriq Zavaleta (15) celebrates his goal with teammates Justin Morrow (2) and Nick Hagglund (6) during first-half MLS soccer game action against the Chicago Fire in Toronto, Friday, April 21, 2017. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Chicago Fire defenders Michael Harrington, left, and Johan Kappelhof, right, fail to stop Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco (10) who scores during first-half MLS soccer game action in Toronto, Friday, April 21, 2017. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco (10) leaps to celebrate his goal during first-half MLS soccer game action against the Chicago Fire in Toronto, Friday, April 21, 2017. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco (10) celebrates his goal during first-half MLS soccer game action against the Chicago Fire in Toronto, Friday, April 21, 2017. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore (17) brings down the ball as Chicago Fire defender Patrick Doody (22) and midfielder Dax McCarty (6) move in during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Toronto on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Chicago Fire defender Johan Kappelhof (4) tries for the tackle on Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco (10) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Toronto on Friday, April 21, 2017. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press