TORONTO - Striker Joao Plata scored once and set up another on 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 area by Canadian international Andre Hainault, Plata, a diminutive Ecuadorian with lightning quick feet, stepped up to the spot and cooly deposited a shot into the top left corner past a helpless Tally Hall in the 50th minute.
The goal had the 20,259 on hand at BMO Field in a frenzy and Plata was mobbed by teammates after running to the corner flag in front of the supporters' section to celebrate.
Plata, 19, then turned playmaker in the 81st minute, sending a through ball to second-half substitute Maicon Santos, who slotted home past Hall.
Houston got one back in the 87th minute from Lovel Palmer and pressed for the tie late, but it wasn't enough as Toronto (2-3-4) recorded just its second victory in MLS play this season.
Plata, who was given a rousing ovation when he was subbed off in second-half-stoppage time, was the most dangerous player on the field all night and thought he'd won a second penalty in the 61st minute.
