KISSIMMEE, Fla. — After barely squeaking out of Group A with a single win, New York City FC surprised Toronto FC with a dominant 3-1 win that sent them to the quarterfinals of the MLS is Back Tournament.
NYCFC struggled greatly to score throughout the group stage, netting only two goals. In comparison, Toronto FC had scored six goals during its three opening games, flexing its offensive firepower during a 4-3 win over Montreal to clinch its spot in the knockout round.
The opening goal came off a crafty piece of passing. When the curling free kick ricocheted off the head of a Toronto defender, New York’s Anton Tinnerholm hopped onto the ball and dished it back out to the left, cutting against the flow of the rest of the defenders following the path of the pass.