Giovinco brace lifts Toronto FC over Chicago

Washington (AFP) – Sebastian Giovinco’s two goals included an 82nd-minute stunner as Toronto FC notched their first home win of the Major League Soccer season, 3-1 over the Chicago Fire.

Eriq Zavaleta also scored for Toronto, while David Accam delivered Chicago’s lone goal in the 88th minute.

The victory was Toronto’s second of the 2017 campaign and snapped a three-game streak without a win.

The Fire have yet to win on the road this season, their only point in three away games coming on the opening day of the season in a 1-1 draw at Columbus.

Coming into the contest Giovinco had scored just once in five matches.

But he didn’t hesitate to go after Chicago goalkeeper Jorge Bava, and his persistence paid off in the 28th minute.

Taking a pass from Victor Vazquez, Giovinco cut toward the middle and fired a low shot from that went through a defenders legs and past Bava.

Five minutes later Zavaleta headed in from close range.

Giovinco capped Toronto’s scoring, curling in a right-footed free kick from about 25 yards out that left Bava helpless.

Playing in his first away game since joining the Fire, German World Cup-winning forward Bastian Schweinsteiger made little impact and was replaced in the 84th minute.