C.J. Sapong debut goal lifts Toronto past NYCFC

C.J. Sapong scored on his debut to lift host Toronto FC to a 1-0 win over New York City FC on Saturday.

Toronto (2-2-6, 12 points) ended a five-game winless streak (0-1-4) and picked up just its second victory of the season.

NYCFC (4-3-3, 15 points) ended its two-game winning streak and suffered its first loss in its past five games (2-1-2) since falling to the Houston Dynamo FC on March 25.

Toronto struck in the 46th minute.

After getting a pass from Sapong near midfield along the right wing, Richie Laryea dribbled down the sideline. Just before he reached the endline, Laryea crossed a pass to Sapong, who beat his defender to the goalmouth and one-time the ball into the net past a helpless Luis Barraza.

Sean Johnson made one save to record his fourth shutout of the season and the 94th of his career. Barraza finished with five saves.

Torontoput six of their 11 shots on target, while NYCFC had just one shot on goal in five attempts.

NYCFC had possession for 55.2 percent of the game and completed 91.1 percent of their 594 passes, while Toronto completed 85.9 percent of its 488 passes.

After the game's start was delayed about 30 minutes because the stadium's pyrotechnics triggered a fire alarm, neither team found the back of the net in the first half.

NYCFC maintained possession for 52.3 percent of the opening 45 minutes, but just one of its three shots were on target. The club completed 92.5 percent of its 295 passes.

Toronto put three of its six shots on target during the first half, when it completed 89.6 percent of its 270 passes.

Toronto concludes its two-game homestand against Eastern Conference-leading New England next Saturday, while NYCFC visits FC Charlotte that day.