By The Numbers: Toronto FC romp in Cincinnati; Turn Focus to New York City FC

Toronto FC have started their all-important month of September off with fireworks in Cincinnati — a historic 5-1 romp over the expansion side.

With seven matches in 22 days, there will be no time to for the club to sit back and marvel at what they’ve accomplished.

But we can.

9th to 5

It was just the NINTH time in club history that they’ve managed to score at least five goals in a competitive match. It was the FIRST time that they hit that number on the road in a regular season match.

The attack was in fine form, with five different Reds finding the score sheet: Patrick Mullins, Nick DeLeon, Marky Delgado, Michael Bradley, and Nicolas Benezet.

In fact, it was only the third time in club history that a handful of teammates have tallied in the same match.

It was also the FIRST match in club history that five teammates scored in a row.

SPOILER ALERT

I am happy to put my hand in the air and claim the jinx on Quentin Westberg’s clean sheet by way of the spot.

I had mentioned last week that Toronto had only allowed one PK opportunity in 10 matches, and 0 goals.

So cue the 92nd minute goal by Emmanuel Ledesma to rob Q of his fourth clean sheet of the season.

It’s worth noting that after a torrid first half of PKs conceded, TFC have now allowed more attempts and goals from the spot than in any of their previous 12 seasons.

A RED IN HIS CENTURY

And just to put a bow on Saturday’s numbers, Eriq Zavaleta became the eighth player to appear in 100 regular season matches for TFC. I’m sure the 17 minutes that it took him to collect a pair of yellow cards and be dismissed isn’t how he would’ve like to mark the occasion.

FILLING THE NETS

Toronto now heads from a historic goal performance to a venue at which they’ve historically scored in bunches.

The Reds have scored more goals per game vs. New York City FC than against any other opponent (minimum 10 matches). The number increases when looking specifically at the narrow pitch of Yankee Stadium — 14 goals in six matches — or a clip of 2.33 per match.

TRIPLE THREAT

With at least seven matches left in all competitions of the 2019 campaign, TFC has a realistic shot and employing three double-digit scorers for the third year in-a-row; a feat that they didn’t manage in their first ten seasons.

Pozuelo is only one goal shy of the mark and DeLeon took himself to up to eight in Cincy.

STARTING UNCLE DREW

Finally, Drew Moor is just one start shy of becoming the ninth Red to start in 100 competitive matches for the club. With two Cup games approaching later this month, it’s fair to assume he’ll join the group which includes seven current teammates.