Giovinco has goal and assist; Toronto FC beats Red Bulls 2-0

HARRISON, N.J. – Sebastian Giovinco, the reigning MVP, scored on a penalty kick and had an assist in the second half, and Toronto FC beat the New York Red Bulls 2-0 on Sunday in a MLS season opener.

Toronto FC, which reached the post-season last season for the first time since the club’s inception, beat the Red Bulls for the first time in seven matches at Red Bull Arena.

“I can’t say I’m surprised with the results,” said Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney. “I think we had a plan and a mission when we came in. I think the big part of being able to go to a city like New York or club like New York and winning is belief and confidence in what you’re doing.

“I think we dug deep,” Vanney added. “Not everything was perfect nor is it on day one, but the guys competed. They competed for 90 minutes. They covered each other. They scrapped things out and made plays when they needed to make plays defensively.”

Giovinco, also last season’s Golden Boot winner, scored in the 82nd minute before getting a yellow card six minutes later. His left-footed shot in the 90th minute from outside the box was too high, but he had the assist on Marco Delgado’s goal in the first minute of stoppage time.

The Red Bulls are coming off a Supporters’ Shield campaign — the second time in three years they’ve recorded the best regular-season record in MLS.

“It’s a great way to start a season,” said TFC midfielder Michael Bradley. “Great three points against, for me, one of the best teams in the league. And so when you talk about being a good team and knowing what it’s going to take on certain days to win big games, I thought we came through in a big way today and I think we should all be proud of that.”

The Red Bulls are 9-2-1 all-time at home against Toronto FC.