Toronto FC fans have a lot to celebrate as the regular season wraps up, but the objective remains clear -- a second chance at lifting the MLS Cup trophy.
Toronto secured its spot in the league playoffs after reaching the top of the eastern conference table, sitting at 68 points with one game left before the postseason. Their performance thus far has made this club one to watch out for.
Two titles going into playoffs
Toronto successfully defended their title as Canadian champions, defeating rivals Montreal Impact for the Voyageurs Cup in June, a tournament played by the top five teams across the MLS, United Soccer League, and the North American Soccer League.
After the win, MLS.com reported that midfielder Raheem Edwards said the team is looking for three big cup wins this year. “We want the treble,” he said.
This victory means Toronto has qualified for next season’s CONCACAF Champions League, an annual tournament with the top club teams from across the continent that only takes one Canadian club. The last time they played in this Champions league was in 2012 where they lost to Mexico’s Santos Laguna in the semifinals.
During most of the 2017 regular season, the Reds were in the top-half of the eastern conference. After their 4-2 win over New York Red Bulls on Sep. 30 they earned the Supporters’ Shield which is given to the club with the best regular season record.
Will they break a record?
Although the Reds have postseason in mind, there’s still a chance to make history with the last game against Atlanta United on Sunday. Finding a point against the Georgia-based team means TFC would surpass LA Galaxy with the best record in an MLS campaign (68 points), a title Los Angeles has held since 1998.
Ahead of the away game in Atlanta, TFC’s head coach Greg Vanney said in a news conference that the team’s record is a “byproduct of our performances” and “this weekend will be no different.”
A second chance
Sunday is decision day where the top six MLS clubs from the eastern and western conferences will find out who they will face first in the playoffs. Toronto will play in the first-leg of one of two eastern conference semifinals, which have been scheduled for Oct. 30 and Oct. 31.
Last season TFC won in a dramatic Eastern Conference Finals against Montreal Impact. They lost 3-2 in the first leg then came back to win at their home stadium, BMO Field, 5-2.
They advanced to the MLS Cup final but fell short to the Seattle Sounders in a penalty shootout.
There’s still a long road ahead, but TFC defender Chris Mavinga says that the team is ready.
“I just want to win the league, for me it is most important,” Mavinga told TSN.
He also said that “it’s been a great season for TFC fans.”
Mavinga, who has international playing experience with several French youth teams and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s senior squad, joined the club this season and is now nominated as the top defender in the MLS.
While Mavinga has been handling the back, his teammates Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco have been on the frontlines of the attack. Although there have been injury concerns for both players, they are getting ready for playoffs.
Captain Michael Bradley will be leading the pack with Toronto fans by their side.
The MLS Cup final is scheduled for Dec. 9.
