Toronto FC had their franchise-best four-game win streak snapped in a 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew SC at BMO Field on Saturday.
Ethan Finlay opened the scoring in the first-half and Federico Higuain gave Columbus a 2-0 lead in second half stoppage time as the Crew (14-11-8) avoided back-to-back losses for the first time since June.
The loss was the first for the Reds (15-14-4) since Sept. 16.
With the Crew leading 1-0, Sebastian Giovinco had an excellent chance tie the game in the 63rd minute off a free kick, but Crew 'keeper Steve Clark got enough of the shot to deflect it wide.
Higuain gave the Crew a 2-0 lead in second half stoppage time putting his chip shot up and over Toronto goalkeeper Joe Bendik for his eighth goal of the season.
Columbus had three shots on target and a 1-0 lead at halftime.
The Crew opened the scoring in the 40th minute as Finlay put Gaston Sauro's header past a sprawling Bendik for his 10th goal of the season.
Toronto nearly responded a minute later as Collen Warner's shot in the area dribbled just wide of the goal. Giovinco was in the area, but couldn't get a foot on it.
The Reds had opportunities to open the scoring early in the half.
Giovinco nearly got Toronto on the board in the 21st minute, but his strike from just outside the area re-directed off of Sauro and wide. Off the ensuing corner kick, Robbie Findley put his header off the post.
Kei Kamara, who is in a battle with Giovinco for the MLS' goal-scoring lead, had an excellent chance to pull away from the TFC striker in the 38th minute, but Bendik made a huge save off of Kamara's header, which was set up by Higuain's corner kick.
