TORONTO – Joao Plata scored once and set up another goal in his Major League Soccer debut Saturday as Toronto FC beat the Houston Dynamo 2-1.
After Toronto forward Nick Soolsma was taken down in the Houston penalty area by Andre Hainault, Plata, a 19-year-old Ecuadorian with lightning quick feet, stepped up to the penalty spot. He deposited a shot into the top left corner past a helpless goalkeeper Tally Hall in the 50th minute.
Plata was mobbed by teammates after running to the corner flag in front of the supporters' section to celebrate.
Plata then turned playmaker in the 81st minute, sending a through ball to second-half substitute Maicon Santos for a 2-0 lead.,
Houston got one back in the 87th minute from Lovel Palmer.
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