The game in 100 words (or less): Very rarely is a team in MLS capable of running away from the rest of the field — it’s a league designed to create parity, after all — but this Toronto FC side looks as if they intend to smash that very ideal. Greg Vanney’s side thrashed the Portland Timbers, 4-1, on Saturday to go six points clear (for the time being) in the Supporters’ Shield race and announce themselves as favorites for MLS Cup 2017, yet again. Sebastian Giovinco tallied only an assist on the day, while Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley neither scored nor assisted themselves, yet TFC put four (of six shots on target) into the back of the net and extended their unbeaten run to six games. Going back even further, TFC have only lost twice in their last 18 games.
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Three moments that mattered
58' — Morrow beats Attinella near post for 1-0 — Alvas Powell has had… well, a rough season, to say the least. To be fair to Powell, though, he’s far from the only one struggling along that backline.
Great first touch, even better second.@justmorrow slams home the opener. #TORvPOR https://t.co/JVueLxGx2S
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 12, 2017
72' — Vazquez turns home a cross for 2-0 — When TFC are on, they make it look really, really easy.
Delgado➡️Seba➡️VV➡️❤️
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) August 12, 2017
Vazquez doubles the advantage at @BMOField#TFCLive | #TORvPOR https://t.co/5vGy2HT9rz
76' — Morrow plays the poacher, makes it 3-0 — As I said about other Portland defenders struggling…
#️⃣2️⃣ for #️⃣2️⃣!@justmorrow completes his brace with a wicked right-footed strike#TFCLive | #TORvPOR https://t.co/nMUeIiJX3H
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) August 13, 2017
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Man of the match: Justin Morrow
Goalscorers: Morrow (58', 76'), Vazquez (72'), Delgado (87'), Valeri (89')