HARRISON, N.J.—Sebastian Giovinco worked his free kick magic again Monday night, giving Toronto FC a 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls in the first leg of the MLS Eastern Conference semifinal.
League-leading Toronto defended well and asked questions on the counter-attack in a first half that finished 1-1. But it needed its Italian ace to steady the ship midway through a rocky second half as sixth-seeded New York came out with far more purpose.
Toronto, surviving a close call from Bradley Wright-Phillips in the 62nd minute and a Gonzalo Veron blast minutes later, weathered the storm.