Toronto FC: 4 takeaways from impressive win over Montreal Impact

2: Ayo! Akinola’s on fire!

If you didn’t know the name after his brace on Monday against D.C., you surely do now. Akinola netted a hat trick on Thursday night, and although there were no fans in attendance to launch their chapeaus at the budding striker, his name will nonetheless be permanently etched into the lore of MLS’ greatest rivalry.

While his first goal was a tap-in that resembled his second against D.C., Akinola’s other strikes on the night were perfectly emblematic of his unique blend of vision, speed and strength.

What’s going to get the attention is Akinola’s powerful elbows into the chests of his defenders, but to even put himself in the position to deliver such blows, a player has to have vision, and he has it in spades. The main broadcast camera had barely cut back to the pitch from a replay before Akinola was in on net again, to deliver his triumphant third strike.

Akinola now has five goals through two matches. No other player has more than three goals thus far.

As Luke Wileman said on the broadcast, not many pundits would have pegged Akinola as a Golden Boot candidate when this tournament began. They sure are now.