Cronin, Dichio score in first half to lead Toronto FC in 2-1 victory over Red Bulls

Cronin, Dichio lead Toronto FC past Red Bulls

TORONTO — Sam Cronin and Danny Dichio scored goals in the first half and Toronto FC held off the New York Red Bulls 2-1 on Saturday night.

Albert Celades scored in the 54th minute for New York (2-10-3), which lost its fifth straight.

The Red Bulls, last in the Eastern Conference, extended their winless streak to six games. They also dropped to 0-7-1 on the road while getting outscored 12-1.

New York has won just once in its last 10 games and is winless in its last 20 road games dating to last season, an MLS record.

Toronto (5-5-4), which snapped a two-game skid, needed just 3 minutes to open the scoring. New York defender Seth Stammler was penalized for handling the ball inside his own area, giving the home team a penalty kick. Red Bulls goalkeeper Danny Cepero guessed correctly and made a leaping save on Amado Guevera’s spot kick, but Cronin was there to tap in the rebound for his first MLS goal.

Toronto made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute when Guevera sent Pablo Vitti in alone with a looping pass over the halfway line. Cepero raced out and managed to kick the ball away with his right foot, but an alert Dichio beat two defenders to the loose ball and curled it into the open net from 25 yards out.

Celades, who blazed wide on a golden chance in the first half, redeemed that miss by scoring his first MLS goal later. Celades took a pass from Juan Pablo Angel inside the penalty area and slotted the ball just inside the post, giving New York its first road goal of the season.

Defender Nick Garcia, acquired in a midweek trade with San Jose, made his Toronto debut in the center of the defense.

Story from: STATS LLC, www.stats.com.