TFC exults, then gets right back to business
Remember last year’s off-season scuttlebutt?
Sebastian Giovinco pondered China.
Michael Bradley batted down a few offers from Italy.
As Toronto FC’s leading men partied in Nathan Phillips Square Monday afternoon, Postmedia asked for assurance there’d be no off-season rumours this time around.
The answer: Along with the Atomic Ant and TFC’s General, Jozy Altidore and Victor Vazquez — both are guaranteed to be back in 2018.
Coach Greg Vanney said he expects at least 90 per cent of TFC’s MLS Cup-winning roster to return and make a run at next year’s Champions League. “I have to go out to Miami at the end of next week for the draw,” Vanney said. “That’s when we’ll know what team we’re facing.
“From there we start a process of trying to put together a team and trying to build a team that can compete in CONCACAF and then go into a season.”
Amid speeches from MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum and TFC president Bill Manning, there was an air of anticipation in the air outside Toronto City Hall.
Bradley talked about enjoying Saturday’s 2- 0 win over the Seattle Sounders “a little longer” before refocusing on an even bigger crown.
“It’s a difficult competition, but it is the next step for us,” Bradley said of Toronto FC’s return to the Champions League. “It’s something a lot of us have talked about since we got here. We want to be the first (MLS team to win Champions League). It’s going to require guys keeping fit in the off-season.
He added: “The games come quick. We feel good about the team we have. I don’t know many teams that are going to enjoy coming to play here in February.”
The Seattle Sounders didn’t enjoy travelling to BMO Field in December for one of the most lopsided Cup finals in league history.
“You always have to be respectful to the opponent,” Vanney responded after being asked to comment on TFC’s utter domination on the weekend.
“Seattle came and had a mission … but we were too good in what we were trying to do. They couldn’t get close to us. They didn’t have an answer.
“When you play in a final and every single guy shows up and plays to their level then that’s what our team is capable of doing.”
The result? Thousands of cladin- red TFC supporters showing their support on a cold start to their work week.
Bradley looked out over the audience as he spoke with Postmedia during the festivities. Even he didn’t expect this kind of ovation.
“It’s hard for us to make sure they know how much it means to play for them, to play for this city, and what a difference it makes for us,” Bradley said.
Vanney tipped his hat to exMLSE CEO Tim Leiweke, his former boss who promised Vanney scenes like Monday afternoon were possible in this city.
“I didn’t know what to expect today, but this far exceeded anything I thought we’d see,” Vanney said.
“I came here, in part, because Tim Leiweke said this city would go bonkers i f we could win a championship. That’s been our mission.”
The Reds aren’t retooling this off- season. They’re looking for a few key additions to replace the few players they’ll lose.
Los Angeles FC has the option to select one of TFC’s “unprotected” players in the looming expansion draft.
The Reds could lose another player or two due to multiple players hitting bonuses as a result of this year’s run.
“We hope we don’t lose anyone, but there’s a real possibility there,” Vanney said ahead of Tuesday’s draft. Still, the losses will be minimal . “We’re just looking for guys who want to be here who will commit their passion to this team,” Vanney said of any additions entering next season. Players who can replicate his captain’s intense desire to compete for this city.
“I couldn’t be more proud over everything that we’ve done,” Bradley responded. “We’re going to keep going.”