Toronto FC goalkeeper Clint Irwin earned his fifth clean sheet of the season on Saturday in a 0-0 draw against Columbus Crew SC in Major League Soccer action.
It was the second draw in a row for Toronto (4-4-4), which tied New York City FC 1-1 on Wednesday night. TFC finished their first homestand of the season with one win, two draws and a loss after starting the year with eight games on the road due to renovations at BMO Field.
"It was our third game in seven days so physically there were always going to be some challenges," said Toronto head coach Greg Vanney. "And not just because they are a fresh team, but a good attacking team especially with their ball movement so we knew we had to defend well."
The Crew SC (2-4-5) are winless in their last four games. Goalkeeper Steve Clark had his third clean sheet of the season, and only had to make two saves in the process.
Sebastian Giovinco had Toronto's best opportunity to break the scoreless draw in the 68th minute, but he uncharacteristically shot it wide in a one-on-one situation with Clark. Mo Babouli provided the brilliant through ball for the Italian star, but Giovinco failed to score what would have been an MLS-leading ninth goal of the season.
Babouli, who is filling in for an injured Jozy Altidore, drew high praise from Giovinco post-game.
"I think Mo was the best on the field. He played a great game, in my opinion. He is definitely a player that makes a difference and I am very happy for him," Giovinco said. "I told him that I hope he will keep it up. I missed the opportunities from the balls that were sent to me and he definitely played the way he should, a great way."
Clark got the better of Giovinco again in the 80th minute -- stopping a point blank one-on-one chance.
"Maybe today, more than the other games, lets say it was my fault," Giovinco said. "I don't really know how to say it, (but) lets look towards the next game. "
Giovinco recorded Toronto's only two shots on target, and had eight shots in total.
Columbus midfielder Justin Meram had two good chances to score the game's first goal within mere moments of each other early in the second half. Meram first hit the post after Columbus recovered a Drew Moor turnover in the 51st minute, and then followed that up by getting stopped by a leaping Irwin in the 52nd.
The first half had its share of opportunities for both sides, including back-to-back corners for Crew SC in the 15th and 16th minutes, and an attempted bicycle kick finish by Federico Higuain off a cross from Cedrick in the 17th. The ball sailed over Irwin's net.
Forward Ola Kamara just missed opening the scoring for Columbus in the 43rd minute when his header off a perfect pass by Higuain was destined for the back of the net before Irwin just got a hand on it.
Giovinco had Toronto's biggest first half opportunity in the 36th minute when a strike from just outside the penalty box was stopped by the leaping Clark.
"At the end of it all I was pleased with the team's effort, especially defensively," Vanney said. "Over the last couple games we've done well denying the opponents many clear cut opportunities. We have to create more for ourselves now and take our opportunities to win games."
Toronto travels to face the New York Red Bulls next Saturday before returning to BMO Field on June 1 to face the Montreal Impact in the first leg of their Canadian championship matchup.
NOTES: TFC captain and midfielder Michael Bradley was named to the United States' 23-man roster for the Copa America Centenario tournament prior to the game. Bradley has earned 113 caps scoring 15 goals for the U.S. throughout his career.
