Toronto FC defeated the Columbus Crew 1-0 in their most important game of the season. Here are three things we learned from Toronto’s victory at BMO Field.
Toronto FC secured home-field advantage in the first round of the postseason as well as the Trillium Cup with their 1-0 defeat of the Columbus Crew at BMO Field on MLS Decision Day. TFC lined-up in a 4-3-3 and were superior for most of the match given that they controlled the ball and pressed effectively.
Nevertheless, their lack of composure in front of goal meant they were unable to score from open play and their attack-mindedness rendered them vulnerable to counter-attacks. Fortunately for the Reds, Alejandro Pozuelo’s powerful freekick handed them a 1-0 lead in the 58th minute. The Crew then became increasingly committed to attack after falling behind, forcing Toronto FC to recoil into a defensive 4-4-1-1 from the 70th minute onward. TFC uncharacteristically clung on to their slender lead, miraculously clinching the fourth spot in the East in the process.
Here are three things we learned from Toronto FC’s critical victory against the Columbus Crew.
3. Toronto FC fortuitously finish fourth
Toronto FC needed a lot to break right for them in Week 34 in order to play host in their first postseason matchup. TFC started the day in sixth, trailing the fifth-placed New York Red Bulls by one point and fourth-placed D.C. United by two points. The Reds needed to beat Columbus and hoped neither NYRB nor United could take three points from their respective matches.
TFC got the job done against Columbus and received aid from two unlikely sources. Their friends in Montreal and bottom dwellers FC Cincinnati prevented their opponents from emerging victorious. With New York trailing 2-0 at half-time, Toronto FC supporters, staff, and players kept one eye on the proceedings at Audi Field. TSN’s Kristian Jack informed manager Greg Vanney of the 0-0 draw in Washington during their half-time interview, with Vanney affirming his intention to pass that information on to his players to fire them up ahead of the second half. Since FC Cincinnati went down to nine men on the stroke of half-time, a D.C. United victory appeared inevitable, however, Ron Jans’ men kept a clean sheet despite allowing 33 shots, and thus Toronto FC incredibly catapulted into fourth.
Toronto FC were very lucky to finish in fourth, but they achieved their objective nonetheless, and will now turn their attention to their meeting with D.C. United at BMO Field on October 19th.