By: Kylie Vaillancourt
This season has definitely been a season to remember for Toronto’s professional soccer team. And it ain’t over yet for the Toronto FC and their fans.
Toronto has advanced to the Conference finals after defeating the New York City FC in the Conference semifinals. Now TFC goes head to head against their biggest rival, the Montreal Impact.
“This is historic. This is Montreal and Toronto, this is not America versus Canada. This puts Canada on the soccer map,” said Ian Harvey, a former Toronto Sun reporter.
It’s been a uphill journey for the team since its inaugural Major League Soccer season in 2007. The team finished last it’s first two seasons and ranked in the bottom half of the conference in following years.
The fan’s patience was rewarded last year when the TFC qualified for the MLS Conference finals. The team was eliminated in the knockout round against Montreal.
The team this year ranked third in the Eastern Conference giving them a spot in the playoffs and fifth place overall in the league.
“I think a berth in the finals at this stage is going to be huge for football and for TFC,” said Harvey.
A key player this year is Italian-born forward Sebastian Giovinco. Giovinco lead the team 17 goals this season, tying him with the third most in the league with Montreal Impact midfielder Ignacio Piatti. He also leads the team this season with 15 assists, 177 shots, and 59 shots on goal. Last year, he won the MLS Golden Boot as the leading scorer of the regular season.
How is #GIOVINCO not in the running for MVP? He’s the best player in the MLS by a LONG shot…
— Amir Pasic (@AmirPasic1) November 7, 2016
The TFC won this year’s Canadian Championship after breaking their winning streak in 2013.
Game one of the finals will take place in Montreal on Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. EST.