The Houston Dynamo have clinched a 1-0 victory over Toronto after being forced to play for over 30 minutes with just 10 men on the pitch at BMO Field.
Jermain Defoe - linked with a move back to England recently - looked to have put the speculation regarding his future to one side and menaced throughout the first half.
First, the former Tottenham Hotspur marksman missed a one-on-one with Houston stopper Tyler Deric, before firing narrowly wide of the post later in the half.
Both proved costly misses, however, as Giles Barnes out-muscled Nick Hagglund before running through on goal and drilling an angled shot past Joe Bendik on 35 minutes.
It would have been two for Dominic Kinnear's side early in the second half if not for the post, as Brad Davis tapped Andrew Driver's pass against the woodwork.
Toronto were given fresh impetus in their quest for an equaliser when AJ Cochran was sent off for a foul on Luke Moore inside the box on 55 minutes.
However, a bad night for Defoe got even worse when the striker saw the resulting penalty saved by Deric.
The Houston goalkeeper would be forced into action once again moments later to push wide a powerful header from Moore.
Inevitable, Toronto were on top in the closing stages as they looked to capitalise on the numerical advantage, but the Houston defence would frustrate the hosts.
The Dynamo's stubbornness at the back would be rewarded as they held on for all three points following an extended spell on the back foot late on.
Shane Callaghan
