SEATTLE—There was a hint of 2016 in the air as Toronto FC’s season ended in disappointment here Sunday, undone by three second-half goals by the Seattle Sounders, who beat the Reds in the MLS Cup final for the second time in four years.
TFC dominated the first hour of play at CenturyLink Field, looking the more composed and fluid of the sides despite a crowd of 69,274 — the largest in the stadium’s history for a sports event — that made its presence felt. But like in 2016, when they met for the first of three times in the championship game, the Reds would come to rue having nothing to show for that sustained period of pressure.
The hits came sooner than they had at BMO Field three years ago, with defender Kelvin Leerdam, substitute Victor Rodriguez and striker Raul Ruidiaz each putting away a goal in regular time on the way to a 3-1 victory.
TFC left the confetti-littered field looking less shell-shocked than they had in that first MLS Cup encounter, which ended in a last-gasp penalty shootout loss at home, but similar anguish lingered three years on.
“It was a gut punch, certainly,” said striker Jozy Altidore, who saw his first action of the post-season when he came on as a substitute in the 67th minute, recovered enough from a quadriceps strain to score Toronto’s lone, inconsequential goal in injury time and break the shutout.
Frustration and heartbreak were the emotions for captain Michael Bradley.
“When you lose a final like that there’s no solace, there’s no consolation prize, and that part hurts,” he said.
Leerdam opened the scoring in the 57th minute against the run of play, when a ball he played across the box deflected off Reds defender Justin Morrow and past a helpless goalkeeper Quentin Westberg to break the deadlock. It was Seattle’s first MLS Cup goal in open play in 267 minutes, and the first time Morrow — who made headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2016 when he missed one of Toronto’s penalties — had deflected a ball into his own net in his 10-year career.
The goal ignited the home crowd, which had been relatively quiet while TFC carried the play until that point.
The Reds tried to bounce back quickly by bringing on midfielder Nick DeLeon and Altidore in quick succession, but striker Alejandro Pozuelo said that first goal “killed” the momentum. Seattle doubled the lead in the 76th minute when Rodriguez — named the game’s most valuable player — put a low, hard shot into the far corner from the top of the box. Ruidiaz added the third in the 90th minute after beating Reds defender Chris Mavinga in a foot race down the middle of the field, much to Westberg’s chagrin.
By the time Altidore headed home a Pozuelo cross in injury time, the home crowd was already so deep into celebration mode that the goal barely registered.
“I thought that we were our own worst enemy in terms of ball circulation and the speed at which things were happening, and that allowed them really to get back in the game and obviously to punish us,” said coach Greg Vanney, who believed TFC’s play got bogged down by too many individual efforts.
The Reds used their loss in 2016 as motivation for a 2017 season of unprecedented success — the first treble in league history. They’ll hope history repeats itself in 2020.
“With time, the group will, as always, learn from moments like this and experiences like this and make sure that they get used in the right way to push us forward,” Bradley said.
Despite Sunday’s defeat, the Reds are back to being one of the league’s top franchises after a blip in 2018 and plan to stay there.
Significantly, the loss leaves Bradley’s contract status up in the air. A win would have guaranteed a reported $6.5 million U.S. option for next season. The club still holds a 2020 option, but could offer less money and possibly without designated player status — something that Bradley has said he is willing to consider. The captain’s situation will have a major effect on the club’s off-season spending power.
The Reds also have decisions to make on Morrow, who has an option for next year, and Drew Moor, whose contract is up after this season. Both core veterans have been instrumental to the franchise’s fortunes. A numbers of other depth players are also in limbo.
Change is inevitable if TFC plans to reach the Cup final again next year, and decisions will be made quickly. The trade window is open from Monday to Wednesday, while the MLS expansion draft goes Friday. Clubs have to notify the league office by Nov. 21 about players whose options they are exercising. Those are all important steps for the Reds if they want to keep up with the big boys.
Get more sports in your inbox
Get the Star's Sports Headlines newsletter for a daily round-up of the latest big news.
Sign Up NowOn Sunday, though, it was all about the game and an opportunity lost.
The Reds weren’t feeling sorry for themselves, Bradley said. They remained proud of what they’d accomplished. The motivation they found in the wake of defeat in 2016 may repeat itself in 2020, but that’s for another day.
Said Bradley: “Right now it’s impossible to think about any of that.”
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
We have suspended your account in accordance with our Code of Conduct. For more information please visit Code of Conduct
Q:
How did you think Toronto played in the MLS Cup game? Do you think Toronto FC should have won?
from Sports - Latest - Google News https://ift.tt/2NACuKb
via IFTTT
November 11, 2019 at 09:33AM
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar