Toronto Wins in Extra Time, Advances to Team's First Ever MLS Cup by Jake Martino
On Wednesday, Toronto took on Montreal in the Eastern Conference Finals. Here is the recap and breakdown.
Toronto- It was a rainy, wet day in Toronto for a soccer game. But doesn't rain usually mean deep depressing thoughts and days you just want to forget? Not for Toronto FC and their fans as they came ready to advance down by one goal aggregate to Canadian rival Montreal Impact. It was an interesting, physical and fun game to watch whether you are a TFC fan, an Impact fan or just a sad MLS fan who's team was eliminated. Here is the breakdown.
It was all TFC from the start but the first half wasn't so much scoring but more of the physicality of play. A play I definitely had to rewind and rewatch a couple of times was about 15-20 minutes in involving Jozy Altidore. No foul was called on the play but it is definitely something the MLS can review and possibly suspend Altidore. The scoring opened when Dominic Oduro who found the back of the net off of a pass through 5 defenders. It wasn't much longer before Toronto added their first goal as Armando Cooper scored off a corner from Sebastian Giovinco. Just before the half, Altidore and Giovinco continued to argue to overturn getting their way of course leads to what? A goal by Altidore off an assist from Giovinco. Montreal came out in the second half and stunned some TFC fans when Piatti split the defense and scoring the goal off a deflection. But after that it was all Toronto scoring the goal in the 68th minute to put the match into extra time due to aggregate. About 5 minute into the extra time period, Toronto striker Sebastian Giovinco came up with an apparent knee injury. TFC must have been feeling pretty confident subbing out Giovinco but it didn't matter has his sub Benoit Cheyrou scored the goal that gave TFC the extra time aggregate lead. But wait, there is more. Two minutes later Tosaint Ricketts added a goal off a beautiful pass from Altidore. Match finished in a 5-2 win for Toronto but a 7-5 series advancing win.
This is the first time the Eastern Conference trophy will be brought back to Toronto in team history. Maybe they can bring back the cup? We will soon find out as Toronto takes on Seattle on Saturday December 10th at 8 PM on Fox.
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By Jake Martino
