UNPRECEDENTED SEASON
Toronto FC is Postmedia’s Team of the Year — and the greatest team in MLS history
The Reds’ epic MLS Cup run was more than historical, recordbreaking and undoubtedly worthy of Postmedia’s Team of the Year honour.
Toronto FC’s captivating season was a story of redemption — something that wasn’t lost on club president Bill Manning during TFC’s victory parade.
After winning everything there was to win this season — an MLS title, a domestic Cup and Supporters’ Shield — TFC’s top boss reminded a crowd of 10,000 redclad fans at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square they’re lucky he didn’t listen.
“One last thing,” Manning started, “When I arrived there was a hashtag ‘Vanney Out’. Now, he’s coach of the year, Greg Vanney.”
And Vanney’s Reds aren’t just Postmedia’s Team of the Year. They’re the undisputed greatest team in MLS history — the first side to win three crowns in a calendar year amid setting a record for points (69) in a regular season.
“I can’t imagine that will be happening again any time soon,” TFC GM Tim Bezbatchenko told Postmedia ahead of Christmas.“I think it will be a record that holds for a long time,” he added.
The youngest GM to guide his team to an MLS title recalls looking at TFC’s record in August and realizing the Reds were on pace for something special.
“There was a point midsummer where we knew 70 points was attainable,” Bezbatchenko told Postmedia. “Greg brought it up during a post-game speech — the ‘Mission to 70,’ doing something that’s never been done before.
“It was about rewarding the fans for all the years of pain and suffering. What better way to do it than to go into every game to play the way we did.”
The Reds lost just two games between Canada Day and November, the start of Major League Soccer’s playoffs. Just as remarkable, the club finished the season with an 11-1-5 record against playoff teams — all while playing in the far superior Eastern Conference. Toronto FC’s 2.03 points per game was the highest total since 2005, when the league consisted of just a dozen teams.
Additionally, the Reds matched the all-time single-season wins (20) record while scoring the second most goals (74) in Major League Soccer’s modern era.
“I think it will be extremely challenging (to break TFC’s points records),” Bezbatchenko added. “There are more teams competing for the Supporters’ Shield. With the influx of money I think it’s going to be more competitive.”
So, what now? How do you follow up the best season ever with something better?
How do you satisfy fans’ insatiable hunger for more results?
“We have to look at our goals a little differently,” Bezbatchenko answered. “With CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) the dynamic has shifted.”
If they make the CCL final the Reds will face eight additional games in 2018.
Inevitable squad rotation could make repeating as Supporters’ Shield winners difficult. It will make breaking their own points record almost impossible.
“We want to win the treble again, but is that the priority?” Bezbatchenko pondered. “Let’s see how we can do in CONCACAF Champions League and make sure we don’t step on our own feet in the regular season.”
That said, some goals never change, he added.
“What we want to do is win the Canadian Championship and ensure we’re in CONCACAF in 2019. We want to be a consistent contender. We need to get a (playoff ) bye again. Those things don’t change. To satisfy fans is to create a dynasty and a culture where the expectation is for us to win. That’s what we expect from ourselves. That’s what our fans expect. There’s always something else out there to achieve.”
Maintaining, if not expanding, the gap that has opened between the Reds and the rest of Canada’s MLS clubs remains top of mind.
Bezbatchenko was almost too humble when asked to comment on leaving the Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact behind.
“We want to raise the bar and continue to be the preeminent team in Canada,” Bezbatchenko said, diplomatically. “We want to grow the game. We want our national teams to be full of TFC players.
“I thought Vancouver had a very good year. They were in touching distance of being first in the West. Montreal is always a heated battle. They play us hard every time we play them.
When the dust settled we had the trophies, but they’re not far behind.”
Reminded the Impact finished 30 points behind the Reds in the East, Bezbatchenko let out a chuckle.
“I’m not stoking the fire. I let the players talk,” he answered.
“We love beating Montreal, there’s no doubt about that.”
But while the ’Caps and Impact have already started retooling this off-season, the Reds are intent on retaining the core that got them to back-to-back finals.
Defensive linchpin Drew Moor re-signed days after MLS Cup. Toronto FC is negotiating to bring back Eriq Zavaleta, Steven Beitashour and Jason Hernandez. They’ll look to sign a wide attacker and, as Bezbatchenko told Postmedia, the next best available player.
“When it comes to our top 14 (players) in minutes played, we’re trying to bring back everybody,” Bezbatchenko explained. “You have to have some measure of stability. We want as little turnover as possible in those numbers.
“It’s extremely challenging,” he added. “We’re not looking to move anyone.”
Most importantly, TFC’s high-priced difference-makers — Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco — are set to return.
Midfielder Victor Vazquez, the missing piece, has two years left on his contract.
“He had a unique background, skill set,” Bezbatchenko said of Vazquez.
“The good thing about our roster is we’re not looking at these new players to be players we’re going to build the team around,” he added.
“We’re looking for players who provide something a little bit different than we have.”
Players who, perhaps, will improve a record-setting squad that delivered an unbelievable MLS season and a points record that won’t soon be broken.
“If it’s broken, I hope it’s broken by us,” Bezbatchenko said.