Romell Quioto scored and added two assists, and the Houston Dynamo capitalized on an opportunity to play a substantially depleted Toronto FC squad with a 5-1 victory on Saturday afternoon.
Mauro Manotas, Leonardo, Eric Alexander and Alberth Elis also scored to help Houston to just their second win of the year. They've scored at least four goals both victories.
In just his second start of the season, Quioto contributed his first points. He had seven goals and three assists for Houston last season.
Mitchell Taintor bagged a consolation goal for Toronto FC a day after signing on loan from USL side Sacramento Republic.
With the game sandwiched between legs of the Concacaf Champions League final, TFC coach Greg Vanney started an entirely different starting XI than in Tuesday's first leg in Toronto.
The Reds dressed only 16 players in their fourth MLS loss in five matches. The rest of the squad are already in Mexico preparing for Wednesday's second leg against CD Guadalajara.
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Chances to win a continental championship don't come around often, but Toronto will likely pay at least a mild a price for sacrificing their personnel for some of these early MLS fixtures. One more loss and they will have equaled their league total from all of 2017.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: If Taintor is heading back to Sacramento after this one, he will have at least gained the Reds' attention. He scored his first-ever MLS goal early in the second half after having labored at Toronto's USL TFC II side last season, and was arguably TFC's best player on Saturday.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Quioto sealed the honor with his two assists and generally tormenting play on the left flank. But his goal in the 77th minute was thoroughly deserved. Getting Quioto to contribute more consistently would help coach Wilmer Cabrera's group find more consistent form.
Goals
- 3' - HOU - Mauro Manotas Watch
- 7' - HOU - Leonardo Watch
- 46' - HOU - Eric Alexander Watch
- 52' - TOR - Mitchell Taintor Watch
- 60' - HOU - Alberth Elis Watch
- 77' - HOU - Romell Quioto Watch
Up Next
- HOU: Saturday, April 28 at Minnesota United (8 pm ET | Full TV & Streaming Info)
- TOR: Wednesday, April 25 at CD Guadalajara - Concacaf Champions League final, 2nd leg (9:30 pm ET | Univision Deportes, TSN)
