An encore of last year final was a call to
redemption for the Toronto FC- hosting once again a Major League Soccer grand
finale, as the stage was set for both Reds and Rave Greens to shine in this
rematch.
For the Seattle Sounders looking forward to
their second league shield and be a part of a distinguished group and for the
Toronto squad looking forward their first crown and write history as well as
the first Canadian squad to do such an accomplishment.
After displaying a one of a kind campaign
and coming with the labels of all around favorites to win it all, Greg Vanney
and his TFC were poised to capture the ultimate of glories as well the
remaining piece of silverware.
What can you ask a team that won the
Supporters Shield as well breaking the so-called curse of whoever wins the
trophy their chances of winning the big one are a slim one and today these put an
end to that nonsense.
As the locals were determined and ready to
put the past behind and play football the best way these did in the course of
this campaign that elevated this squad once troubled by a parade of
unsuccessful managers not being able to take this club into the postseason.
Give credit to newcomer Greg Vanney
entering in his fourth year at the helm of the Canadians and in his first
campaign finally delivered a spot in what used to look like an elusive dream of
making it to the league playoffs for the TFC.
A failed elimination the first time was
enough incentive for them to return to the grand fete and going all the way in
2016 and being the hosts of the not too spectacular grand finale, when they
lost to the Sounders in the always-infamous PK’s.
For the Toronto FC
2017 will be a year for to always remember as the one that saw this squad sheer
dominance in the whole campaign and at the end crowning their efforts by
lifting the always coveted MLS Shield won in back to back fashion by the
Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders.
Yesterday win puts an
end Cascadia’s rule since 2015, and with a 2-0 score and displaying a defensive
gem and delivering a couple of goals in the right time and deliver a wondrous
win to close this campaign with a bang.
Returning to the championship match were
the Toronto Boys exercised an all-around domination since the start of the
first half all the way to the end of this match, the local Canadians were
coming to this match as heavily favorites.
Still the Seattle Sounders held their own
ground with a spectacular and successful playoffs run, showing off their arsenal
and multiple weapons these had in their offensive attack as well their defensive
might.
In a few words, the Rave Greens were not
going to be a walk in the park and for Greg Vanney and company this affair once
again was to become another disputed match with all the pressure going for the locals.
In the case of manager Brian Schmetzer the
odds of a repeat were immense and favorable after showing off a very convincing
and dominating playoffs dispatching their foes in the Vancouver Whitecaps and Houston
Dynamo easily.
The forecast for many despite the TFC strengths
and shield-filled campaign made them the overall favorites, but in the eyes of manager
Greg Vanney playing once again the Seattle Sounders was a handful of a challenge.
At the end this man proved many wrong and
with a different strategy from last year utilizing a diamond formation in a
4-4-2 that at the end worked wonders for him stopping the likes of Clint Dempsey,
Nicolas Lodeiro, Will Bruin and Victor Rodriguez cold.
By not allowing the Sounders big guns to display
their prolific game they are comfortable.
For Toronto this win not only brings to a
close a perfect campaign by winning the league treble in the Supporters Shield,
Eastern Conference and MLS Cups to crown with another trophy in the Voyagers
Cup given to the best Canadian team.
A foursome of a campaign and a successful
one for a team that since its inception never knew of being a part of the
league postseason and despite eleven years had to pass to see the fruits of
this club front office to show off the long awaited success.
Congratulations, Toronto FC Reds for a job
well done and your achievements!
Post Contents and Property of Fern
Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos Credit and Property of
Toronto FC, Toronto Sun/ Ernest Doroszuk and Toronto Star/ Steve Russell 2017
Photos Credit and Property of © 2017
Major League Soccer
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