History was going to be made last night, that much was certain. With both Toronto FC and Montreal Impact reaching the Easter Conference final, the winner would go on to become the first Canadian squad to play for the MLS Cup. The second leg of the series was decided under a barrage of rain, but that didn't seem to dampen the action, as both teams pushed each other to their limits, reaching extra time to decide the fate of their conference. Montreal entered the draw with an aggregate score of 3-2, one goal up on their Ontario rivals. Now they were in enemy territory, competing against the rapturous noise of a buzzing BMO Field. Aside from the obvious stake of the looming championship, the fate of one player's career was also in question. Legendary striker, Didier Drogba was playing for the blue side, and it'll likely be his last in professional soccer, as the aging star is currently 38 years old.
Toronto FC are celebrating 10 seasons in Major League Soccer, but each have been met with a disappointing finish. Last night's fixture would prove to be the club's biggest moment in its checkered history. While Montreal opened scoring, Toronto soon equalized in front of a record crowd of 36,000 attendees. The Reds' forward star, Jozy Altidore, put his team ahead from a corner, lobbed in by Sebastian Giovinco.
Again Montreal would tie it up, but what followed was an onslaught by Toronto FC. The team managed to pull ahead with another header, this time by Nick Hagelin. It was a clean finish, and it wasn't the last goal we'd see from the future Eastern Conference champions. Now in extra time, Toronto scored once more, and moved ahead on aggregate.
Deflated, Impact let in one last ball and sealed the deal. For the jubilant FC, it was heaven on earth. For the losers, absolutely crushing. Heads hung low in the blue dugout.
Toronto captain, Michael Bradley, was pretty stoked after the finish, but was already looking towards the MLS cup. "Tonight was a special night. Ten days from now we want to do one better". FC will take on the newly crowned Western Conference champions, Seattle Sounders, for the league title on December 10. If you're looking to buy tickets for the game, you should cop them soon, as they're likely to sell out quickly.
