MLS Review: Giovinco sent off as Toronto FC and the LA Galaxy continue to struggle

Dejan Kalinic

MLS Review: Giovinco sent off as Toronto FC and the LA Galaxy continue to struggle image

Sebastian Giovinco was sent off as Toronto suffered yet another MLS loss, while the LA Galaxy's struggles continued Saturday.

Reigning MLS Cup champion Toronto was beaten for the sixth time in nine games this season, going down 3-2 to the New England Revolution.

New England made a dream start at Gillette Stadium as Cristian Penilla scored twice in the opening seven minutes.

Penilla finished clinically to open the scoring before netting from 25 yards to make it 2-0 after Toronto goalkeeper Alex Bono was caught off his line following a poor turnover.

After Teal Bunbury extended New England's lead a minute into the second half, an Antonio Delamea Mlinar own goal brought Toronto back into the game.

Giovinco scored an 89th-minute penalty for Toronto to give the side hope of earning a point, only for the Italian star to be sent off for making contact with Wilfried Zahibo's face as he rushed back to halfway.

Toronto is 10th in the Eastern Conference after the club's struggles this season, while New England sits sixth.

Also battling are the LA Galaxy, who slumped to their fourth straight loss with a 3-2 defeat at Dallas.

Roland Lamah's brace helped Dallas to the victory, with the home side holding on despite Reto Ziegler's red card.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is now without a goal in four games, almost equalized late on, but his powerful free-kick smashed the post.

The Galaxy are ninth in the Western Conference with just three wins in 10 games this season.

Elsewhere, Gyasi Zardes' brace guided the Columbus Crew past the Chicago Fire 3-0, moving the forward top of the MLS scoring charts. Real Salt Lake beat D.C. United 3-2 for Nick Rimando's 200th win and the New York Red Bulls edged the Colorado Rapids 2-1.

The San Jose Earthquakes overcame Minnesota United 3-1, Chris Wondolowski scoring a record goal from the penalty spot, and the Philadelphia Union recorded a 2-0 win over the Montreal Impact.

 

Dejan Kalinic