Toronto FC Head Coach Greg Vanney's hard work and determination finally paid dividends as he got his first official victory on Sunday. In the dream season that seemed to be slipping into a nightmare, Vanney has maintained his poise and the team rewarded him with one of the best efforts of the season. Though Chivas USA have been struggling this year amidst rumors the team will fold at the conclusion of the year, Toronto FC has had trouble finding chemistry in the backline that has cost the club many points, and today they found their chemistry.

The return of a healthy Scottish captain in Steven Caldwell inspired the defense to control the zone in front of Joe Bendik, giving the keeper a needed break after several matches with no support. The match began like a chess match with each team trying to force the other into making a mistake. With both teams in slumps this is a commonplace and neither TFC nor Chivas had their top forwards available with Jermain Defoe returning to training from injury this week and Erick Torres on suspension.

TFC began finding space within a rather disorganized Chivas defense, and in a clever passing play from Jonathan Osorio to Gilberto led to an open Jackson scoring a left foot liner giving TFC an early lead in the 23rd minute. TFC continued to attack as the Chivas players began openly snapping at each other on who was missing assignments. At the half hour mark, a brilliant feed from Daniel Lovitz to striker Luke Moore clanged off the crossbar.

Minutes later, Chivas countered as Eric Avila nearly became another former TFC player to haunt his former club as he found himself with an open shot in front of Bendik but his volley flew over the net. During stoppage time TFC midfielder Michael Bradley's corner headed by Mark Bloom led to a flying Moore who shot a rocket behind Dan Kennedy giving TFC a 2-0 cushion at the half.

The Reds continued pressing and Bradley took a strong strike on a costless kick that Kennedy was forced to come up big on. TFC's set pieces were at their best as another low corner fielded by Bradley who spotted Gilberto in front of an open net who made no mistake in extending the lead and rushed to the stands to celebrate with the supporters.

As TFC continued the attack, Chivas became more impatient and former Aston Villa star Nigel Reo-Cocker threw a hard foul on Jackson unseen by the official. As play continued Jackson threw a tackle on Reo-Coker leading into a fierce shoving match and both players got red cards. To be fair, there are exchanges like this in the EPL and La Liga almost every game and most of the time a yellow is given to the two players.

The exchange led to some life from Chivas as Argentine forward Landro Barrera’s point-blank shot was tossed aside by Bendik in his only true test of the day. At this point, TFC began to maintain possession and kept in a tactical formation to seal the much needed victory.

Toronto FC are now back in the playoff chase as they trail Columbus Crew by three points but have one game in hand. It will be a challenge to complete the task without Jackson for at least one game as he has finally found his form. Fortunately Jonathan Osorio has found his stride and played a solid 68 minutes before being subbed for Warren Creavalle. Truly TFC will need a fully fit Osorio to make up for the absence of Jackson and can only hope Defoe is ready for when TFC play the Portland Timbers at home.

For Chivas USA, this six-game losing streak has been the low point of a year where little has gone right. With MLS commissioner Don Garber stating that Chivas USA might not play in 2015, the scene in the dressing room could only be one of despair with most players and staff concerned about their own future in the game.