TFC triumphs and turbulences
When Toronto FC beat the Portland
Timbers 3-2 to close out September,
many called it the most
important win in the club’s history.
The come-from-behind victory
meant TFC had 11 wins on the season
– something the team had never
accomplished.
When a team has failed to win even a third of their games through each of their first seven seasons – you know there aren’t many other wins to compare with. However, this win means TFC’s playoffs hopes are very much alive. Here’s a look back at some other very important wins in TFC history.
To look back at the last time the Reds were in a good position to make the playoffs was back in 2009. After losing 2-0 to the LA Galaxy with four games left in the season, TFC was on the outside looking in.
The team drastically needed to get points if it wanted a shot at the playoffs. After 2-2 and 1-1 draws to Chicago and San Jose, they headed home to a crucial game with Real Salt Lake. TFC managed to keep RSL of the scoresheet, winning 1-0. It was a tight first half, with TFC’s three-man defense playing well.
Captain Jim Brenan scored his last goal at BMO Field in his last game there – it really was a great moment. RSL would end up winning the MLS Cup that year, so when Toronto managed to scrape the 1-0 win, it was one of the biggest upsets of the year. Now, TFC would lose the last game of the season 5-0 to New York, but we don’t like to talk about that.
In that 2009 season, Toronto FC was in tight for the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. It was the competition’s second season, and was once again between Toronto, the Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact.
At that time, the tournament format was a double-round robin, with everyone playing each other once. Vancouver had a 3-1 record, after beating Montreal twice and splitting their series with a 2-1 Toronto team. That TFC squad went into Montreal needing to win by five goals in order to win the championship. They beat the Impact 6-1.
On the outset, it looks like an impressive win, however, Montreal was already out, so the team played mostly bench and reserve players. It was still important for TFC as it went on to win three more NCC championships in a row.
When a team has failed to win even a third of their games through each of their first seven seasons – you know there aren’t many other wins to compare with. However, this win means TFC’s playoffs hopes are very much alive. Here’s a look back at some other very important wins in TFC history.
To look back at the last time the Reds were in a good position to make the playoffs was back in 2009. After losing 2-0 to the LA Galaxy with four games left in the season, TFC was on the outside looking in.
The team drastically needed to get points if it wanted a shot at the playoffs. After 2-2 and 1-1 draws to Chicago and San Jose, they headed home to a crucial game with Real Salt Lake. TFC managed to keep RSL of the scoresheet, winning 1-0. It was a tight first half, with TFC’s three-man defense playing well.
Captain Jim Brenan scored his last goal at BMO Field in his last game there – it really was a great moment. RSL would end up winning the MLS Cup that year, so when Toronto managed to scrape the 1-0 win, it was one of the biggest upsets of the year. Now, TFC would lose the last game of the season 5-0 to New York, but we don’t like to talk about that.
In that 2009 season, Toronto FC was in tight for the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. It was the competition’s second season, and was once again between Toronto, the Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact.
At that time, the tournament format was a double-round robin, with everyone playing each other once. Vancouver had a 3-1 record, after beating Montreal twice and splitting their series with a 2-1 Toronto team. That TFC squad went into Montreal needing to win by five goals in order to win the championship. They beat the Impact 6-1.
On the outset, it looks like an impressive win, however, Montreal was already out, so the team played mostly bench and reserve players. It was still important for TFC as it went on to win three more NCC championships in a row.
