Giovinco scores twice as Toronto FC hand Schweini first loss with Chicago

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:45 am

TORONTO -- Sebastian Giovinco scored twice as Toronto FC defeated the Chicago Fire 3-1 on Friday night, handing German star Bastian Schweinsteiger his first loss in Major League Soccer.

Giovinco upped his season goal total to three, punctuating the victory with a free kick to the top corner in the 82nd minute.

He was not happy to be taken off in the 84th minute just one goal shy of a hat trick, slapping a stanchion as he headed to the dressing room.

Eriq Zavaleta also scored for Toronto, while Spanish playmaker Victor Vazquez notched his fourth assist of the season.

Substitute David Accam scored for Chicago in the 88th minute. It was the Fire's only shot on target.

Giovinco took 11 shots in the game, with six going on target.

Toronto's only previous win this season was March 18 in Vancouver. And it marked its first victory at home since Nov. 30, when Toronto beat Montreal 5-2 in the second leg of the Eastern Conference final.

Chicago arrived on a good run of home form, but had a hard time generating offense on the road.

Giovinco found the net in the 28th minute, taking a pass from Vazquez and then deftly making room for a shot through defender Michael Harrington's legs. Giovinco celebrated the goal by heading to the corner and blowing kisses.

Sebastian Giovinco celebrates his first of two goals in Toronto's 3-1 win against Chicago.
Sebastian Giovinco celebrates his first of two goals in Toronto's 3-1 win against Chicago.
USA Today Sports Images

The play started with captain Michael Bradley intercepting a Chicago pass.

Chicago goalkeeper Jorge Bava had to tip over a Giovinco free kick in the 32nd minute.

On the ensuing corner, Toronto took advantage of Chicago's defending with Zavaleta's powerful header from a Justin Morrow cross beating Bava.

It was the defender's second career goal and he celebrated by pointing to the sky in tribute to his grandmother -- head coach Greg Vanney's mother -- who died last week in Arizona.

The Toronto visit marked the first MLS away game for Schweinsteiger, who scored two goals in his first three home games for the Fire.

The World Cup winner had a relatively quiet evening, firing a shot high over the bar in the first half.

Chicago arrived on the heels of two shutout wins and was unbeaten in three games, as coach Veljko Paunovic stuck with the same starting 11 that beat New England 2-0 last weekend.