Two of Major League Soccer’s biggest clubs threw down last night in a clash featuring the most expensive roster in the league (Toronto FC) and the third most expensive (Orlando City). Those numbers are, in large part, due to the fact that the Eastern Conference sides boast the only two players that earn above $7 million per season — Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco and Orlando’s Kaka. The two did not disappoint.
Factor in the likes of Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, Cyle Larin and Giles Barnes in front of over 25,000 at Toronto’s BMO Field, and this was as close as you can get to can’t-miss during the MLS regular season.
Giovinco scored the first in the 9th minute after applying a sweet finish through a pair of defender’s legs. Altidore gets credit for the assist, but let’s be honest, that’s just a bad touch.
Don't let Seba get hot
Giovinco bags his fourth of the year after some great work by @Rvheem_ down the left wing.#TFCLive | #TORvORL pic.twitter.com/KN2DBa5cS7— Toronto FC (@torontofc) May 4, 2017
Giovinco added a second in the 38th minute after being teed up by Victor Vazquez.
High !
Vazquez tee's up Seba from close range to tie @JozyAltidore for a team-leading fifth goal of the season.#TFCLive | #TORvORL pic.twitter.com/K3GVOw81Mc— Toronto FC (@torontofc) May 4, 2017
Orlando halved the deficit right before halftime through Kaka. Larin provided the knock down, and the Brazilian finished into the roof of the net.
Ball in from , knock down header from Cyle, and a smash finish from the . City fighting. #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/LMnOvfDNqQ
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) May 4, 2017
Orlando should’ve scored an equalizer in the second half, but Larin, who entered this match with six goals from seven games, suffered from an extreme case of the yips on two chances.
59' | Robbery on the line! Wow! How did Cyle's effort not go in?
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) May 4, 2017
67' | Emergency keeping from Bono again keeps Larin off the scoresheet...
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) May 4, 2017
Orlando City remain on top of the Eastern Conference with 18 points, but Toronto closed the gap to only two points with the victory.
Related: MLS Rankings Of Power: Week Eight
