VANCOUVER WHITECAPS CROWNED CANADIAN CHAMPIONS AS TORONTO FC BEGINS NEW ERA

Soccer

Written by Aaron Cantin

Vancouver Whitecaps celebrated a penalty shoot-out victory over Toronto FC in front of nearly 30,000 fans Wednesday night to claim their second Voyageurs Cup.

Brian White scored for Vancouver in the 19th minute, heading in a cross from Ryan Gauld. Toronto equalized in the 75th minute when Lukas MacNaughton directed in a ball from Federico Bernardesci. Toronto dominated 71.2 percent of the possession and outshot the home side 18-14, including 6-5 in on-target shots, but ‘Caps goalkeeper Cody Cropper came up big with five saves. Alex Bono made four saves for TFC, which has won the Canadian Championship eight times in its history.

Source (Background Photo): NLSA

The Whitecaps beat Canadian Premier League clubs Valour FC, Cavalry FC and York United to earn a spot in the final. With the score knotted at 1-1 after 90 minutes of play, Tuesday's game went to a penalty shootout.

Gauld was up first for the 'Caps and the Scottish designated player sent a shot sailing into the top corner of the net. Domenico Criscito took the first kick for Toronto and fired a ball past Cropper. White then stutter-stepped to fake out Bono and blasted a low shot into the right corner. Toronto's Jordan Perruzza took advantage of Cropper's early dive on the next attempt and put a ball into the opposite side of the goal. Wingback Julian Gressel took the third shot for Vancouver, hitting Bono's outstretched hand as he fired a shot into the corner. Next, Cropper stopped a low shot by Canadian Jonathan Osorio to give the 'Caps an edge. Vancouver's designated player Andres Cubas followed the save with a blast past Bono. Federico Bernardeschi kept Toronto's hopes alive, patiently waiting for his shot and then rolling a ball into the net. But it was Blackmon who scored the game-clincher. The crowd erupted as the 'Caps defender fired a quick shot past Bono for the victory.

The loss is a tough one to swallow for the re-vamped Reds but there is much reason for optimism heading into the final stretch of the regular season. If first impressions mean anything, no matter where they currently are in the standings, TFC will be one of the best teams in the MLS heading forward with Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi leading the way. Last week the two newest Reds made their much-anticipated season debut and demolished Charlotte FC 4-0. It was 4-0 at half-time. Bernardeschi became the first player to record a goal and an assist before halftime of his first MLS appearance since Seattle Sounders FC striker Fredy Montero in 2009.

Insigne joined the fun during first-half stoppage time when his backheel flick set up Bradley’s second goal, a marauding run through Charlotte’s backline that capped the captain’s brace. The former Napoli captain, alongside Bernardeschi, was removed at halftime but had already cemented a resoundingly positive shift. The Designated Players debuted before 29,067 fans at BMO Field, creating a raucous atmosphere that was reminiscent of the heydays when TFC made three straight MLS Cups from 2016-19, winning in 2017. Anticipation and excitement, from players and supporters alike, turned into euphoria amid a trying year insofar. Bernardeschi called the environment “incredible”, while Insigne said he “didn't expect” such a warm welcome. And while Toronto still faces an uphill climb toward the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs at 13th place in the Eastern Conference standings, the much-awaited occasion sent a reminder of what the Reds can be – and may become.

The top seven teams in each conference make the MLS playoffs. Currently, TFC sits six points back of the final playoff spot. With 12 games remaining and 36 points still available, you would be out of your mind to count this team out. If and when the reds do qualify for the playoffs (I am very confident they will make a playoff push if you cannot tell), no team will want to see them in the first round.

As it stands, Toronto FC has the 19th best odds to win the MLS cup at +8,000. Those odds will only get worse as the season goes on. LAFC and New York City FC have the best odds at +310 and +340 respectively. Toronto FC would be right there if Insigne and Bernardesechi had a full season with Toronto. But the past does not matter. What matters is Toronto now has two of the top five best players in the league and still has plenty of time to do damage. Realistically, TFC’s odds should be somewhere in the range of +1000 which would put them in the top five to win the MLS. You will not find a better future bet nor a better value in sports right now. Betting on a team to win a championship is and always will be a long shot but if you’re into that I could not recommend hammering TFC to win the MLS more.