Toronto FC players and fans celebrate after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in an Major League Soccer game in Toronto, Wednesday Oct. 14, 2015. (Aaron Vincent Elkaim/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) - Sebastian Giovinco scored his 22nd goal of the season, and Toronto FC beat the New York Red Bulls 2-1 on Tuesday night to clinch its first playoff appearance.
Giovinco sent a charge through the crowd of 18,143 when he deked a slew of Red Bulls defenders before firing a shot into the right side of the net in the 78th minute. The star striker flew back to Canada hours after playing a Euro 2016 qualifier for Italy.
It was the fourth straight win for Toronto FC (15-13-4), which is headed to the playoffs for the first time after joining MLS in 2006.
Herculez Gomez gave Toronto a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute.
Shaun Wright-Phillips scored for New York (16-10-6) in the 86th minute. The Red Bulls are five points ahead of Toronto FC for first place in the East with two games remaining on their schedule.
New York Red Bulls' Lloyd Sam battles for the ball against Toronto FC's Benoit Cheyrou during a Major League Soccer game in Toronto, Wednesday Oct. 14, 2015. (Aaron Vincent Elkaim/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
Toronto FC's Ahmed Kantari, left, passes the ball against New York Red Bulls during a Major League Soccer game in Toronto, Wednesday Oct. 14, 2015. (Aaron Vincent Elkaim/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
New York Red Bulls' Sacha Kljestan heads the ball against Toronto FC's Ahmed Kantari during a Major League Soccer game in Toronto, Wednesday Oct. 14, 2015. (Aaron Vincent Elkaim/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press