The game in 100 words (or less): Oh, hello, Toronto FC. No, not the imposter that’s been body-snatching you the first two months of the season, but the real you. In Saturday night’s 4-3 home loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps, you confounded in so many ways — the league-leading defense (seven goals conceded in nine games) was nowhere to be found, and not even the heroics of the magical Sebastian Giovinco could save you. Giovinco’s two-goal, one-assist performance was brilliant and memorable in all its glory, but ultimately went to waste. In the process, the 29-year-old became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 50 goals and assists combined (43 games). Kekuta Manneh just about matched Giovinco’s brilliance on the night, scoring a pair of goals of his own. The victory sees the Whitecaps (20 points) climb all the way up to third in the Western Conference, while TFC (14 points) holds tight in third in the Eastern Conference.
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Three moments that mattered
12' — Manneh with the trip and the goal — Note to TFC (and anyone else listening): Don’t pass the ball to Manneh in this part of the field. Well taken by the 21-year-old (yup).
Steal. Speed. 'Meg. @kekuta16 gives @WhitecapsFC the 1-0 lead. #TORvVAN https://t.co/jW544fnHZH
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 15, 2016
18' — Bolaños puts the rebound back for 2-0 — Manneh nearly bagged his brace on another breakaway, but Clint Irwin made the initial. If only it hadn’t fallen right to Christian Bolaños…
Coach says to always follow the shot. Bola does and @WhitecapsFC lead 2-0. #TORvVAN https://t.co/UACy2a1ugt
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 15, 2016
37' — Giovinco’s pristine first touch sets him up for 2-1 — It’s time to make Giovinco go back to Europe. It’s no longer fair for everyone else. (WATCH HERE)
66' — Bradley plays Giovinco through for the equalizer — This is Michael Bradley at his absolute best, charging forward with a full head of steam. This is Giovinco making scoring goals look like child’s play (again).
A barnstorming Bradley to Giovinco levels it for @TorontoFC. 2-2 #TORvVAN https://t.co/kTm67H6l0i
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 15, 2016
70' — Manneh slices and dices before making it 3-2 — So much is expected of Manneh because he’s capable of things like this.
.@kekuta16 up to the task tonight. His double restores @WhitecapsFC's lead. #TORvVAN https://t.co/SVQiD55i7z
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 15, 2016
72' — Pedro Morales hits it far post to make it 4-2 — It was at this point TFC’s will to live was sucked from their bodies. A goal they would hugely regret conceding.
Pedro Morales restores the two goal lead for @WhitecapsFC. 2-4, #TORvVAN. https://t.co/GA550r5x86
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 15, 2016
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Man of the match: Kekuta Manneh
Goalscorers: Manneh (12'), Bolaños (18'), Giovinco (37', 66'), Manneh (70'), Morales (72'), Moor (80')