Player Ratings: Bradley leads by example for Toronto FC

Toronto FC keep making history in 2016.

Another wonderful night at BMO Field ended in a huge 2-0 victory over New York City FC thanks to goals from Jozy Altidore and Tosaint Ricketts. Here’s how the players rated out of 10.

The starting lineup

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Clint Irwin: Only faced three shots on target behind a superb Toronto defence, but came up big when called upon on a couple of occasions in the second half. 7

Eriq Zavaleta: Delivered exactly the kind of rock solid, unfussy defensive performance the team asks of him. Made more interceptions than anyone else on the field. 8

Drew Moor: Toronto’s insurance policy in between Zavaleta and Hagglund and was as reliable as ever, one or two loose passes aside. 8

Nick Hagglund: Superb. Barely put a foot wrong defensively and is sneakily useful in bringing the ball out of defence, crossing for Ricketts’ second goal. 9

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Steven Beitashour: Didn’t offer too much going forwards but couldn’t be faulted much on the other side of the ball. 7

Armando Cooper: Looked Toronto’s most likely source of creativity at times but could not quite find the final pass. 7

Michael Bradley: The captain has spoken about how much he relishes these games and he is delivering. Made nine tackles and was constantly at work breaking up New York attacks and recycling possession. 9

Jonathan Osorio: Subdued in the first half but started to come into it more in the second before his substitution. Getting in good areas in and around the box but couldn’t apply the finishing touch this time. 7

Justin Morrow: A little more subdued than usual, but continues to establish himself as a surprising goal threat and had one ruled out for an Altidore handball. 7

Jozy Altidore: Toronto perhaps weren’t finding him enough, but Altidore was playing very intelligently as the hold-up man even before his match winner late on. 8

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Sebastian Giovinco: Had a remarkable eight shots, but couldn’t quite find his range. That Toronto can put away one of their biggest Eastern Conference rivals without a Giovinco goal or assist bodes well. 7

Substitutes

Tosaint Ricketts: What more can you ask for off the bench? Snatched at the chance Altidore eventually converted, but the move for his crucial second goal all started when he forced a turnover high up the field. 8

Will Johnson and Marky Delgado came on late on.

Man of the match

There are plenty of strong candidates, but Michael Bradley truly led by example from the heart of midfield.