Toronto FC beats Red Bulls 2-1 to clinch playoff berth

TORONTO (AP) Sebastian Giovinco scored his 22nd goal of the season, and Toronto FC beat the New York Red Bulls 2-1 on Tuesday night to clinch its first playoff appearance.

Giovinco sent a charge through the crowd of 18,143 when he deked a slew of Red Bulls defenders before firing a shot into the right side of the net in the 78th minute. The star striker flew back to Canada hours after playing a Euro 2016 qualifier for Italy.

It was the fourth straight win for Toronto FC (15-13-4), which is headed to the playoffs for the first time after joining MLS in 2006.

Herculez Gomez gave Toronto a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute.

Shaun Wright-Phillips scored for New York (16-10-6) in the 86th minute. The Red Bulls are five points ahead of Toronto FC for first place in the East with two games remaining on their schedule.