FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – For at least another week, Toronto FC will have to wait for their chance at history.
That’s the situation the Reds find themselves in after dropping a 2-1 decision at the New England Revolution on Saturday night, denying them their first Supporters’ Shield. Such an opportunity arose after New York City FC drew 1-1 with the Houston Dynamo earlier Saturday afternoon -- and that resulting circumstance wasn’t lost on TFC captain Michael Bradley.
“We knew what the score of New York City was,” Bradley said. “Obviously there was motivation to try and win the game tonight and win the Supporters’ Shield today, but we don’t lose the game for lack of trying.... We talked about responding in a big way after a disappointing night on Wednesday. I thought in a lot of ways we did that.”
Bradley, of course, was referring to Toronto’s 5-3 loss to the Montreal Impact midweek, which halted their pursuit of becoming the first Canadian club to hoist the Shield. However, their rivals could help that very endeavor, as Montreal host NYCFC, their closest competitor, on Wednesday.
However that result unfolds, Toronto could also clinch the Shield at home next Saturday, when they host the New York Red Bulls. That chance, in particular, stuck out to TFC wingback Nicolas Hasler.
“It’s important that we forget this game and look forward to the New York Red Bulls game,” he said. “We want to make the best there.”
Vanney himself echoed that forward thinking, as he said the Reds are almost caught between two states of mind.
On one hand, they’re looking ahead to the post-season and trying to get everyone healthy. Regarding that, Vanney said he expects the likes of Benoit Cheyrou, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco to return from injury soon. That also explained, in part, why Clint Irwin started in goal against the Revs, as Vanney said he wants their starter, Alex Bono, to be healthy come the playoffs.
Then, on the other hand, Vanney said Toronto is focused on winning the Shield. That would give them a double – Toronto won the Canadian Championship earlier this year – and a rare shot at the treble.
“We’d like to win the Supporters’ Shield because we’d like to guarantee our position at home throughout the entire playoffs. That’s a focus for us," Vanney added. "Having said that, our priority is also to prepare everyone physically and have them ready and have everyone healthy down the stretch, these last few games, so we can prepare as a group for the playoffs.”
Bradley echoed that sentiment, stressing that Toronto need to focus on their end goal during a two-game skid.
“We feel like when push comes to shove we’re going to be there,” Bradley said. “A game or two that don’t quite go our way, that doesn’t change anything in our minds. We have to continue to work, we have to continue to improve. We have to use these last few weeks to sharpen up on a few things, and we will.”
