Toronto FC crowned
When fans look back at Toronto FC’s 2017 championship season, they will recall Jozy Altidore’s goal-scoring heroics, Sebastian Giovinco’s magic moves, captain Michael Bradley’s unflinching leadership and Greg Vanney’s cerebral coaching skills.
Toronto capped off a recordbreaking 69-point, 20-win regular season with a dominant 2-0 MLS Cup final win Saturday over the Seattle Sounders.
“This is what it’s all about. Lifting trophies,” said Bradley.
But while TFC kept rolling, there was no shortage of real-life trauma behind the scenes.
Like the proverbial duck, the team looked smooth on the surface but sometimes was paddling furiously below to stay afloat.
“People don’t know. I mean there’s a lot of things that go on,” said defender Nick Hagglund, who had to fight back from two knee injuries.
“There’s a lot of adversity that went on,” he added. “That was what was great about this team. As a locker-room we were a family. We took care of each other. I think you saw tonight when someone made a mistake, the next person was there to clean it up.
“Off-the field things carried onto the on-field and I think that’s what created the success this year.”
Real life interrupted sports all season.
The father of Jim Liston, the team’s director of sports science, passed away the week of the final.
But April truly was the cruellest month for TFC.
Vanney’s mother — and grandmother of Toronto defender Eriq Zavaleta — died in April.
“As a lot of moms, she was probably my No. 1 fan in the grand scheme of things,” said Vanney. “She was the one in the stands yelling at the referees when I didn’t get calls . . . I know she’s proud.”
Giovinco’s season included niggling injuries, the occasional tantrum and another MLS MVP finalist honour. But the mercurial Italian scored what proved to be the key goal — via yet another marvellous free kick — in the fractious playoff series with the Red Bulls despite missing the return leg trough suspension. And he set up both goals in the final.
Giovinco split the Seattle defence in the 67th minute to set Altidore loose. And then deep in stoppage time he found Armando Cooper.
The Panamanian substitute, who played just 152 minutes in the final 16 games of a disappointing season, sidestepped ’keeper Stefan Frei with a beautiful move only to see his shot thud off the goalpost. Victor Vazquez was Johnny-onthe-spot, knocking the ball in for the insurance goal Saturday.
“They enjoy one another,” said Vanney. “That’s really a special thing to have.”
Added Altidore: “When I say this is a special place, I mean it.”
Record-breaking year wraps up with 2-0 win over Seattle for title