Toronto FC 4-1 Portland Timbers: Justin Morrow’s double sees Reds to victory

Justin Morrow scored twice and Toronto FC netted four times in the second half to secure an eventually comfortable 4-1 win over the Portland Timbers.

The Reds had the better of the first half at BMO Field but lost Nick Hagglund to a knee injury - later confirmed to be a sprain, and not a repeat of his MCL tear - and could not apply the finishing touches to the chances they did create.

With Drew Moor at hospital awaiting the birth of his second child, Jason Hernandez replaced the 24-year-old.

Toronto continued to pick away at the Timbers’ defence after the break. They finally found the breakthrough after 58 minutes, when Morrow pounced on a loose ball in the box and smashed a close-range effort home, and it would spark a late flurry of goals.

Victor Vazquez made it two in the 72nd minute by converting at the near post after Marky Delgado had released Sebastian Giovinco to slide the ball across goal.

And after a slick move involving Vazquez, Giovinco and Jozy Altidore, Morrow was once again in the right place at the right time to add a third.

Delgado finished off the scoring - and capped off an excellent individual display - by firing home after Larrys Mabiala’s tackle had denied Tosaint Ricketts a chance to shoot.

Clean sheets have eluded Toronto of late, though, and while they had been let off the hook by a missed penalty against New York City FC, Diego Valeri made no mistake when presented with a chance in the closing stages on this occasion.

Toronto have another full week off before making the trip to Illinois for a top-of-the-table clash with the Chicago Fire.