Toronto FC: one step closer to redemption, revenge, it was tense. It was scrappy. But a 1-0 win for TFC over the Columbus Crew was enough for a second consecutive MLS Cup final. In European English: Toronto, despite finishing first in the league over the season are now in the playoffs final to decide the season's champions.
Last season, TFC were spectacular and goal-crazy on their way to the final. There was the incredible 7-5 aggregate semi-final win against Montreal. This season it's been a different emotion: hanging on in nerve-wracking close wins. The goals haven't been flowing, the football has been less than confidence-inspiring. Ponderous was a word that came to mind tonight. But then look what happened in the final last year. In a scrappy match, Seattle out-scrapped TFC. Maybe this year TFC have had a good amount of practice and preparation for the mother of all scrap fests.
Today's win came courtesy of the one beautiful moment of the match. I thought it was beautiful at the time. Greg Vanney, TFC's coach said afterwards it was a beautiful goal and Jozy Altidore, the scorer, acknowledged the moment of magic from Victor Vazquez. The man from Barcelona has been an outstanding addition not only to TFC but to the whole league. He doesn't have the ooh and aah tricks, or the spectacular goals so he is probably unnoticed by many spectators across North America. But when you know what makes a good footballer, a player of a different, higher level of quality, then you notice Vazquez. His simplicity, yet thoughtfulness in the way he chooses the right pass or moves to receive the ball to start a move is a pleasure to watch. His brain seems to work harder than any other part of his body. Giovinco is the headline-maker but whenever anybody asks this year who my favourite player is this season, Vazquez is the easy answer.
The goal? Giovinco to Alitdore to Vazquez and then THE pass back to Altidore and the cool finish. Altidore said afterwards that Vazquez "pretty much scored the goal for me." Watch it again and appreciate how perfectly timed and weighted that pass was.
December 9th is the day. Toronto, as the highest ranked team, get to host the final again. It'll be the World Cup final for the city of Toronto, before the World Cup. And it has to be better than last year, doesn't it? Doesn't it?
No comments:
Post a Comment