Sebastian Giovinco came off the bench to score a miraculous winner as Toronto FC topped the New York Red Bulls 2-1 to clinch the club's first-ever Major League Soccer playoff spot.
Herculez Gomez started the scoring for TFC, netting his first goal for the MLS club in the 51st minute to give the team a 1-0 lead.
Giovinco set to work in the 78th minute, picking up the ball just the halfway line and beating four defenders before blasting a left-footed shot past Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles.
Giovinco: "This was an important game for the club, for the city." #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/QAhpCOF1p9
- Toronto FC (@torontofc) October 15, 2015
The goal turned out to be a crucial one for Toronto, as substitute Shaun Wright-Phillips scored in the 86th minute to cut the home team's lead in half. But the party had already started at BMO field, as a draw was all the team needed to earn a first playoff berth in nine seasons.
TFC's Jozy Altidore, fresh off a pair of disappointing outings with the U.S. national team, was given a red card in the first half for apparently screaming obscenities at the fourth official, even though he wasn't in the match or even listed as a substitute.
Toronto host the Columbus Crew on Saturday, before wrapping up the regular season at home against the Montreal Impact.
Mauro Diaz had a goal and an assist and FC Dallas beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 to grab sole possession of first place in the Western Conference.
FC Dallas has 54 points and is tied with the New York Red Bulls atop Major League Soccer's Supporters' Shield standings. Vancouver is in third place with 50 points, one point behind the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Michael Barrios opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. He drew a penalty in the box 10 minutes later, but Diaz's penalty kick was denied by David Ousted.
Diaz made it 2-0 in the 52nd after a nice individual effort. Ousted got a hand on the shot but it found the back of the net.
Vancouver had its winless streak extended to five games. The Whitecaps' best scoring chance came when Gershon Koffie's shot in the 19th minute hit off the post.
In Utah, Fanendo Adi scored on a penalty kick in the 54th minute as the Portland Timbers beat 10-man Real Salt Lake 1-0 for their third straight road win.
Portland moved into a tie with Seattle for fifth in the Western Conference. Real Salt Lake is tied for eighth, six points back of the Timbers.
Jamison Olave was given a straight red card in the 52nd minute for taking down Lucas Melano in a goal-scoring position. Nick Rimando picked the wrong direction on Adi's penalty kick.
Adi had a close-range shot saved in the 21st, and Rimando came out of his box to block Adi's fast-break attempt in the 44th.
Adam Kwarasey preserved his MLS-leading 13th shutout with a reaction save of Javier Morales deflected shot in the 91st.