TORONTO – For Jozy Altidore, Toronto FC’s 3-1 win Saturday over the Vancouver Whitecaps couldn’t have gone any smoother.
Hitting the back of the net? Check.
Good link-up play with Sebastian Giovinco? Check.
The full three points? Check, check and check.
“It was good,” Altidore told reporters in Vancouver after the game, when asked how he felt about his return to MLS. “It’s a new formation and new teammates for all of us, so I think that transition will be difficult for everybody. But I thought we showed that we have the quality when we set things and settle down to unlock the game.”
A pair of goals marked Altidore’s return to MLS, a feat captain Michael Bradley says didn’t surprise him one bit.
“Nobody knows what he’s all about more than me,” Bradley said. “Nobody believes in him more. He is a guy who, on hard days, is always going to be there. I’m so happy for him. But today was more than just about him: It was 11 guys and the few substitutions that stepped on the field and really understood what a difficult game was going to be like.”
Altidore’s debut goal for TFC was an equalizing effort that brought the Reds back into the first half. Prior to that Bradley said his side was having a bit of trouble. He explained that around the half-hour mark, he and his teammates grew more comfortable and slowed down the pace of the match – and then carried that control over into the second half.
It was that level of possession-based control that allowed Justin Morrow to break free on the left-hand side in the second half and whip in a perfectly-weighted cross to Robbie Findley, who finished the chance from close range. That proved to be the game-winning goal, and Bradley had strong words of support for Findley after the match.
“I’m not sure there are many other partnerships around the league who have played three games in a World Cup together,” Bradley said. “This isn’t somebody who we picked up off the street; this is a guy who’s been to a World Cup. He has big experience, and he played very well at a World Cup. On the inside of this group, he’s somebody who we count on in a big way.”
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With Findley getting the go-ahead goal, Altidore wrapped things up late in the match with a cheeky panenka penalty, though that wasn’t in the plans for the US international when he stepped up to the spot.
“It was my first one,” Altidore admitted, with a smile. “It’s a little bit easier when you’re up 2-1 and there is a little bit less risk. He ['Caps goalkeeper David Ousted] went to my side so I figured, if there’s ever a time, this was my time.”
Any worry he might hit the crossbar with that chipped effort?
“Nah, come on man,” Altidore said with a laugh. “I wasn’t worried about it. It was a spur of the moment thing.”
Toronto FC now prepare for another rivalry match when they take on Columbus Crew SC on Saturday at MAPFRE Stadium (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE/TSN2 in Canada).
