Toronto FC's Victor Vazquez, center right, is mobbed by teammates after scoring his second goal and his team's third against the Columbus Crew during second-half MLS soccer game action in Toronto, Friday, May 26, 2017. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) - Victor Vazquez scored twice and Toronto FC routed the Columbus Crew 5-0 on Friday to extend its unbeaten streak to a club record-matching eight games and move five points clear atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Toronto has seven wins and one draw since its lone league loss of the season, a 2-1 defeat in Columbus on April 15. Columbus has lost five of seven since topping Toronto.
Justin Morrow and substitutes Jonathan Osorio and Jordan Hamilton also scored for MLS-leading Toronto, which has 29 points from 14 games, five points clear of Chicago.
Toronto was reduced to 10 men in the 81st minute when midfielder Marky Delgado was red-carded for a studs-up tackle on Columbus captain Wil Trapp. Osorio and Hamilton then scored to complete the rout for Toronto to go with its sixth cleansheet of the season.
Toronto played without the starting forward tandem of Sebastian Giovinco (injured) and Jozy Altidore (suspended) and central defender Nick Hagglund was also out injured.
Columbus Crew goalkeeper Zack Steffen makes a save at the feet of Toronto FC's Ben Spencer during second-half MLS soccer game action in Toronto, Friday, May 26, 2017. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC's Marco Delgado, left, collects a pass in front of Columbus Crew's Waylon Francis during first-half MLS soccer game action in Toronto, Friday, May 26, 2017. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC's Jordan Hamilton celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal as Columbus Crew goalkeeper Zack Steffen stands in the net during second-half MLS soccer game action in Toronto, Friday, May 26, 2017. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC's Victor Vazquez, left, celebrates after scoring his second goal and his team's third against the Columbus Crew as Michael Bradley runs in to congratulate him during second-half MLS soccer game action in Toronto, Friday, May 26, 2017. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Columbus Crew's Jonathan Mensah, left, clears the ball away from Toronto FC's Ben Spencer during first-half MLS soccer game action in Toronto, Friday, May 26, 2017. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC's Justin Morrow scores his team's second goal against the Columbus Crew during first-half MLS soccer game action in Toronto, Friday, May 26, 2017. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press