Toronto FC’s Ryan Johnson (9) and Tauro FC’s Leonel Parris battle for the ball in front of goaltender Alvaro Anzola during first half CONCACAF action in Toronto on Tuesday. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

Toronto FC fans still sing Danny Dichio’s name during every game even though he retired two years ago.

But the Englishman may soon be replaced as the club’s ultimate terrace idol if Danny Koevermans keeps up his torrid scoring pace.

The Dutch forward found the back of the net yet again Tuesday night to propel TFC to a 1-0 win over Panama’s Tauro FC in a crucial CONCACAF Champions League encounter for both clubs.

Koevermans is fresh off a stellar performance in Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids in which he bagged both goals. In doing so, the Dutch poacher ran his scoring streak to six goals in seven Major League Soccer games, and earned the league’s player of the week award for good measure.

Koevermans’ goal Tuesday was his first in the Champions League for the Reds, who badly needed a win to keep their tournament hopes alive. With two games remaining TFC (six points) temporarily sits in second place in their round-robin group. Tauro (two points) remains last in Group C.

FC Dallas (seven points) hosts Mexico’s Pumas (four points) in Group C play on Wednesday. Dallas can clinch a quarter-final berth with a victory. The top two teams in the group advance to the knockout round.

Dichio remains a cult figure with Toronto fans, who sing a song in the English forward’s honour in the 24th minute of each game, commemorating the franchise’s inaugural goal on May 12, 2007 – Dichio scored against the Chicago Fire in the 24th minute.

But there’s no denying that Koevermans, signed by the club in late June from PSV Eindhoven, is quickly becoming a huge favourite with the Reds’ supporters. The Dutchman plays a similar physical style to Dichio, earning plaudits for his goal-scoring prowess, his imposing size (six-foot-three, 175 pounds) and his commitment to the TFC cause.

Dichio scored 14 goals in 59 matches during his three years in Toronto. Koevermans has already tallied half that amount in two months, though he is quick to downplay any comparisons with Dichio.

As for his incredible form of late, the Dutchman isn’t taking anything for granted, and knows his scoring streak won’t last forever.

“There could be a time later on when the goals don’t come and then [the media] will be all over me. I know how it works and how the spotlight is on me because I am scoring,” Koevermans said.

“For the moment it’s nice and I’m glad that I am scoring goals that help us win, but if someone else scores I don’t care – we have to win as a team.”

Toronto coach Aron Winter heaped praise on Koevermans after the match.

“He only needs one chance to score. He’s not just waiting for the ball, but anticipating it and [finding open] space in the box to score,” Winter stated.

Winter made one notable change to his usual starting line-up, replacing Julian de Guzman with fellow Canadian midfielder Terry Dunfield.

Once again, German midfielder Torsten Frings started in defence, and efficiently marshalled a back line that easily contained the Tauro attack.

Even though Toronto dictated the pace, it was the Panamanians who carved out the first scoring chance when Victor Mendieta’s header off a corner kick hit the post in the 32nd minute.

The Reds took the lead eight minutes later. Peri Marosevic headed a goal-mouth clearance deep back into the box and Koevermans out-jumped two Tauro players to nod the ball home.

With Tauro enjoying the balance of possession, Winter brought on de Guzman early in the second half to add some defensive steel to Toronto’s midfield.

The move worked, as TFC managed to resume control of the match and held on for the win.

NOTES: Toronto visits Chivas USA in Los Angeles on Sept. 24 in Major League Soccer play. The Reds return to Champions League action next Tuesday when they host Pumas… This is the Canadian team’s third appearance in the Champions League. It has never progressed beyond the group stage… TFC defeated Tauro 2-1 on Aug. 18 in the opening group match for both clubs.