Soccer: Toronto FC Win Fourth Straight Canadian Championship!

They may be winless in Major League Soccer (MLS) but Toronto FC saved their season by claiming the Canadian Championship on Wednesday night. Al Dannity looks back at what could prove a turning point for the Reds and what might have been for the Whitecaps.

Relief never tasted so good
It’s been a season of heartbreak and calamity for Toronto FC. Having begun 2012 with a stunning upset of the LA Galaxy in the CONCACAF Champions League, the Reds’ season nosedived. A run of nine straight losses in MLS play has kept them firmly rooted to the bottom of the standings. Even at this early stage of the season, the playoffs are not even on the radar. In order to get fans in Toronto to believe, a win on Wednesday night was an absolute necessity.

For a long time it looked like neither team would make a breakthrough. Vancouver never seriously threatened the Toronto goal, granting Milos Kocic a rare quiet night. With Toronto leading on away goals, a 0-0 draw would have been enough, but they eventually made the breakthrough in the 80th minute. Nick Soolsma headed down a Ryan Johnson cross to Reggie Lambe and the Bermudan made no mistake. The Whitecaps pressed forward in search of an equalizer, that would have forced extra time, but the Reds would not be denied.

It was a dramatic change from the mood before the game. Toronto’s Danny Koevermans caused controversy before the game by saying his team was the worst in the world. Now, with a 2-1 victory and winners’ medals in their pockets, Koevermans and the rest of the Reds have cause for hope. Once again they reign supreme in Canadian Soccer and will play in the Champions League next year. The pressure is still on Aron Winter but at least he can celebrate keeping Toronto at the top of the tree in their own back yard.

Whitecaps must re-group
Having shifted their attention to the big prize of the Canadian Championship, the Whitecaps must now re-group and focus on MLS play. The Caps will be desperately disappointed to have missed out on lifting the Voyageurs Cup but unlike Toronto, they still have an awful lot to play for this season. Vancouver sits fourth in the Western Conference, well on course for a trip to the end of season playoffs. That should be all the incentive Martin Rennie’s charges need in just their second season. They face a huge test this weekend however at Portland. The Timbers are a tough out at home and will look to capitalize on a disappointed Vancouver team.

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