Canadian Shield in reach

First regular-season crown could be wrapped up early boosting MLS Cup quest

Long before Toronto FC’s chance to avenge last year’s heartbreaking MLS Cup loss comes around, there is another trophy up for grabs.

The Reds’ magic number is down to four in the race for the Supporters’ Shield, which goes to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular-season record — and it could happen Saturday.

If New York City FC doesn’t beat the visiting Houston Dynamo in the afternoon, the Reds can become the first Canadian team to capture the honour with a road win over the New England Revolution (5 p.m., TSN4).

But in the end, with a bigger goal in mind, how much would it mean to finish first overall?

While fans in many countries treat league leaders like gods, it’s different in North America — where National Hockey League clubs, for example, won’t even touch conference championship trophies for fear of jinxing their shot at winning the Stanley Cup.

With four games left on the schedule, it’s a juggling act for coach Greg Vanney, who wants the club to finish up strong but also enter the playoffs fresh enough to go all the way.

The Reds clearly take great pride in leading the league — the Supporters’ Shield has been a goal since day one — as a symbol of hard work and endurance. But they know that just two of the last 14 regular-season champions have gone on to take the MLS Cup.

“We recognize that this time of year is about the playoffs as well, and about preparation, and about having guys where they need to be as we approach what is considered the biggest time in our league, and that’s the playoffs,” Vanney said. “While we’re looking forward to trying to get the Supporters’ Shield, we also recognize that our own form, bouncing back from (Wednesday night’s 5-3 home loss to Montreal) are just as important as solidifying the Supporters’ Shield.”

That loss to the Impact was Toronto FC’s first at home all season and ended an 11-game streak overall. They played without star strikers Sebastian Giovinco (quadriceps) and Jozy Altidore (hamstring) for the second straight game, plus midfielder Victor Vazquez (illness). There’s a chance Altidore and Vazquez will play Saturday at Gillette Stadium, though the Reds will make roster selections with extra caution for a match on artificial turf.

The Revolution will also be motivated to impress in their first game under interim coach Tom Soehn, after longtime coach Jay Heaps was fired recently.

“They have a lot of good players,” TFC defender Drew Moor said of New England, an impressive 10-2-2 at home but winless on the road this season. “They’re one of those teams, you kind of scratch your head at why they are where they are in the standings (eighth in the East). But just like Montreal, it’s another team where their playoff life is on the line.”

For Moor, clinching the regularseason crown early would mark a step in the right direction.

“It would be great,” he said. “I think these fans in Toronto want an MLS Cup, though. That’s the trophy they want and that’s the ultimate goal for us.”

For Toronto-born Jonathan Osorio, who has watched local soccer hype reach unbelievable heights since his youth, winning the shield would be “huge” ahead of a playoff run and give casual fans something to latch on to.

“That alone — seeing a trophy being lifted in Toronto — I think it will excite the city and make them even hungrier for more during the playoffs,” he said.

While the atmosphere is already wild at BMO Field, Osorio says the club’s first league trophy — with two regular-season home dates remaining — could get the entire crowd as loud as the rowdy supporters’ section in the south end.

“People just want to celebrate,” he said. “They want a reason for celebrating. That’s all it is, especially here in Toronto. I don’t think people care which sport it is, or which team it is, as long as they’re winning.”