Toronto FC looks to dispatch Ottawa in Canadian Championship semifinal
TORONTO — While Toronto FC is still mired near the bottom of the MLS standings, the mood is a little more upbeat these days.
The return of star striker Jozy Altidore, Spanish playmaker Victor Vazquez and influential defender Chris Mavinga on the weekend helped MLS champion Toronto (5-11-4) to a much-needed 2-1 win in Chicago.
“I thought we were more connected as a group,” coach Greg Vanney said. “We looked a little bit tighter. We looked a little bit more like ourselves, which is a baseline for us now moving forward in this stretch.”
Only defenders Drew Moor (quad) and Brazil’s Auro (hamstring) are still working their way back for fitness. The team continues to manage Vazquez’s minutes — he saw 10 minutes action off the bench in Chicago — due to knee inflammation.