Football
2021 Major League Soccer, Regular Season
TOR 
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FT
 CIN
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Reuters 3y

FC Cincinnati deals Toronto FC their fifth straight setback

Allan Cruz and Luciano Acosta scored the goals as FC Cincinnati recorded a 2-0 road victory over Toronto FC on Saturday in Orlando.

FC Cincinnati (3-5-1, 10 points) recorded their second consecutive victory, and their third straight win on the road. All 10 of Cincinnati's points this season have come in road games, as the team has become somewhat unlikely road warriors after winning just four away games total over its first two MLS seasons.

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Toronto FC (1-7-2, 5 points) is streaking in the other direction, dropping their fifth consecutive game. Toronto last suffered a five-game losing streak during the 2013 season.

It took Cincinnati only four minutes to score, capitalizing on a sloppy Toronto FC turnover in their end of the field. Isaac Atanga threaded a nice pass up the middle to Cruz, who buried the shot for his first goal of the season.

Toronto had two prime chances to equalize in the first half. A Marky Delgado header at point-blank range was stopped by goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer in the 18th minute, while Patrick Mullins sent a shot just wide of the post in the 35th minute.

Though FC Cincinnati mostly focused on defensive tactics during the second half to hold their lead, a moment of brilliance from Acosta essentially clinched the victory in the 68th minute.

Taking a pass just outside of Toronto FC's box, Acosta created just enough space to launch a perfectly-placed curling shot into the net. It was Acosta's second goal of the season, and his first since Cincinnati's season opener on April 17.

Vermeer only had to make one save for his second consecutive shutout. FC Cincinnati outshot Toronto by a 10-3 margin, and held a 4-1 advantage in shots on target.

Toronto FC allowed multiple goals for the seventh time in 10 games this season. Toronto entered Saturday's action with a league-high 18 goals conceded.

All three of Toronto FC's Designated Players (Yeferson Soteldo, Jozy Altidore, Alejandro Pozuelo) were unavailable for selection.

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