It’s a winner takes all finale in the 2012 Canadian Championship final as Toronto FC host the Vancouver Whitecaps in a carbon copy of the 2011 edition. The Reds nearly left Vancouver with a win last week, but Eric Hassli leveled the score in the dying minutes to set up what should be a dramatic final.
Both teams suffered disappointment over the weekend, but to varying degrees. Of course, in league play Toronto lost to sit at 0-9, while the Whitecaps managed a draw, but in reality it was three dropped points as Seattle’s Fredy Montero leveled the score to make it 2-2 in the last seconds of the game.
It would be beyond obvious to state that Vancouver are the heavy favourites to lift the cup for the first time. Everything about their current form and quality in their roster makes it clear they are head and shoulders above TFC. However, this tournament seems to have no relation to the league for Toronto. They have demonstrated time and time again that they are not equipped for the weekly grind, but when it comes to two legs, or winner takes all, somehow pull it together. It should be Vancouver’s cup to lose, and if the precedents from the last year are any indication, TFC might just be able to make that happen.
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After an opening leg that had both positives and disappointment for both clubs, they come into the finals with not as much momentum as hoped. Toronto were happy to get a point on the road last week, but having let a win slip through their fingers is something they cannot afford given how their season has gone. Vancouver certainly would have been upset at letting a team like TFC nearly steal all three points in their home park, but seeing Eric Hassli score again gives confidence that their DP is beginning to heat up.
While Vancouver were unable to recover and notch a win over the weekend at home against Seattle, they stood toe to toe with their Cascadia rivals and nearly earned a deserved victory, ultimately tying them 2-2. Toronto on the other hand continue to spiral out of control in MLS play, losing 3-1 to DC United through a Dwayne De Rosario brace.
Everything that one would expect to take from each team’s current run of form would indicate that Vancouver should be able to come into BMO Field and leave with the win and a brand new trophy. However, while Toronto are nowhere near as bad in the table as 2011, they have more quality in their roster, and the similarities to last year’s tournament are there to see.
Vancouver is the only one of Canada’s three MLS teams to not represent the country in the CONCACAF Champions League, narrowly missing out in 2009 after the Reds were able to defeat the Montreal Impact 6-1 in the deciding game. Each year, up until last week, despite horrible form in the league, TFC continue to find a way to earn results in cup competitions.
However, this week’s match has and added point of discussion to factor in to the result and that is it appears Toronto FC’s league form is finally beginning to cause turmoil within the locker room as several players are now on record voicing their displeasure over recent results, or lack thereof.
Any discussion about the return of Torsten Frings, his pairing up with an improved Julian De Guzman, a recovering Danny Koevermans, all needs to be viewed with the perspective that it appears the players are not all pulling in the same direction.
Vancouver’s timing could not be better to face Toronto with the Canadian Championship on the line. The template is already set for what it takes to beat TFC and Vancouver will need to be more aggressive than seen at home if they are to win this game. There is no question defending is Toronto’s weakest spot, followed by their midfield. As good as Torsten Frings is, he is only one player, and Vancouver can respond with some very good players in Sebastien Le Toux, Davide Chiumiento and Gershon Koffie. The more pressure brought onto that back line, it is often only a matter of time before it breaks – but the Whitecaps will need to be clinical in their finishing as Milos Kocic has been on of the Reds few consistent performers.
Toronto will have to look back not only at their last draw, but their win over Montreal to find the inspiration to play with confidence. Right off the top, if they come out casually as seen pretty much every game this season save for a small handful, they might as well present Vancouver the trophy before the game kicks off. Finding intensity has been rare for TFC and tactics or personnel aside, this is what will win them the game. The right mental approach from the opening whistle will set them up for the entire match.
For whatever reason, TFC have been able to find that gear when their backs are against the wall and Wednesday night is without a doubt the biggest instance of this yet. Everything about Vancouver coming in and getting the job done is the logical path, but as seen through each stage of this competition up until last week Toronto some how have kept finding a way to keep their heads above water.
In the end
Two Canadian rivals, one looking for redemption for Canadian Championships lost over the past years, and the other desperately needs to win because they simply have nothing else to play for. As much as Vancouver wants it, Toronto needs this result more because they truthfully have nothing left after this. If the Whitecaps lose Wednesday night, they will return to league play and continue on as a legitimate contender in the West, while TFC can’t afford to think like that because MLS play is the one place they can’t get anything going. The Whitecaps will come with determination, but TFC’s desperation for a result will likely see them through.
Toronto FC 2 – Vancouver Whitecaps 1
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