DAWN OF THE REDS
Bradley, Giovinco, Altidore, Vazquez . . . Toronto FC’s best shot at the MLS Cup has been years in the making
Victor Vazquez, Michael Bradley and Toronto FC haven’t reached their ultimate goal — but they can see it from here.
There is a game to be played on Sunday evening at BMO Field — against the archrival Montreal Impact, no less — but first comes the celebration. Fifteen days after clinching the Supporters’ Shield with a home win over the New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC will hoist the trophy awarded to the team with the best regular-season record — a first for a Canadian club. It’s a major step in the Reds’ laser-focused season as they aim for an MLS Cup title, and that much sweeter with a rival in the house. It took TFC 32 games to claim the prize this season, but the franchise began putting the building blocks in place long ago:
THE STALWART
“They said it’s a city that’s dying to have a team they can be proud of.” — Michael Bradley, January 2014 The Reds’ far-reaching Bloody Big Deal marketing campaign, launched to tease the arrival of star striker Jermain Defoe nearly four years ago, remains something of a black mark in franchise history after the Englishman’s tenure petered out quickly. But Michael Bradley, who was formally introduced to fans at the same press conference, has been the central force in Toronto FC’s rise, respected and revered by teammates and staff alike. In 2017, his committed defensive work while pulling the strings from deep in the midfield has allowed Victor Vazquez to shine offensively.
DOUBLING DOWN
“I think it’s important that you learn from the past, and this time we’re meeting halfway with the player. (Sebastian Giovinco’s) just as excited as we are to be with this club.” — GM Tim Bezbatchenko, January 2015 They could have shied away from the designated player-heavy model attempted in 2014. Instead, the Reds doubled down, bringing in strikers Jozy Altidore and Giovinco. The two have combined for 99 goals and 56 assists in the three seasons since. They also give others more room to work: 15 different Toronto players have scored this season, a club record. Giovinco has missed more than a month of late because of a quadriceps strain, but the Reds are hopeful he will play at least part of Sunday’s match.
WIN-WIN
“(MLSE) wants to win. They’ve made investments in these players; we should be a team that competes for a championship year in and year out.” — President Bill Manning, October 2015 It’s not just the players. Toronto FC’s brass have the same desire and singular focus on winning. Manning joined Bezbatchenko in the front office in October 2015, sharing the general manager’s lofty expectations. Manning set high standards after a disappointing end to that season, the Reds one and done in the playoffs. Perhaps the president’s most important decision in the past two years was one of his first: keeping coach Greg Vanney around after that defeat. Manning gambled that consistency would do the club well. He has been proven right.
THE CHERRY ON TOP
“I think we’re a very good team, but if we had another piece that’s creative . . . I think we’d be great.” — Jozy Altidore, December 2016 There wasn’t much to criticize after the Reds’ MLS Cup final loss last December. But as Toronto peppered the Seattle Sounders with attacks to no avail, the need for a thoughtful, incisive attacking player behind Altidore and Giovinco became clear. It was the only obvious hole that needed filling in the off-season, a very particular fit that wouldn’t necessarily be easy to find. But TFC’s braintrust has proven apt at such moves over the past few years and did it again in February by bringing in Vazquez. The Spanish midfielder has proven to be a game-changer on many occasions — entering the league MVP conversation in the process — and might just be what they needed to push them over the top this time.