Redemption in the Queen City
For the first time in MLS history, we have a Canadian champion.
It was by no means an “easy” pathway to its first MLS Cup. Toronto FC’s red-hot, record-breaking season seemed to be at its dying embers throughout the playoffs. The Reds scraped through the New York Red Bulls and the Columbus Crew SC with difficult wins to earn a berth in a second straight MLS Cup Final.
To make matters even more difficult, it faced the Seattle Sounders FC, the same team that beat Toronto in last year’s final at BMO Field. This time around, Seattle obliterated its opponents and seemed to be in fine form coming into to the final game.
That was the common narrative going into Saturday’s MLS Cup Final. Toronto decided to flip the narrative around.
Toronto FC dominated this game, providing wave after wave of offense and dominating possession. Defensively, TFC suffocated Nicolas Lodeiro and the rest of the Sounders’ offense, winning 58 duels as opposed to Seattle’s 24.
Goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who was named MVP in the 2016 final, had another outstanding outing for the Sounders FC, so much so that he could have received the award again despite playing for the losing side.
Instead, the award went to the one who scored the opening goal, and the eventual game-winner, Jozy Altidore. It was a simple move from Toronto, with Giovinco providing the ultimate pass to split open the Sounders’ defense and finding Altidore, who slotted it past Frei with his left foot. Vázquez would add the insurance goal late to secure the title.
