Second-half goals lift Columbus past Toronto FC [Video]

After a first half that saw Toronto FC on the front foot, it took Columbus Crew star Cucho Hernandez just six minutes to spoil the show for the locals.

Canadian Jacen Russell-Rowe, who spent seven years with the Toronto academy, set up the first Columbus goal, staving off defender Richie Laryea to feed Hernandez who entered the game to start the second half. The 25-year-old Colombian star paused, took a look to see where goalkeeper Sean Johnson was before curling in a shot from the edge of the penalty box for his 14th goal of the season.

The goal, before an announced crowd of 21,355 at BMO Field, snapped a 231-minute drought for Columbus. Andrés Herrera added another to help defending champion Columbus blank Toronto 2-0 in MLS play Wednesday. 

Toronto (11-16-3) had more of the attack in a scoreless first half but failed to profit from it.

“A difficult …