TORONTO – Saturday night was a special one for two Toronto FC players above and beyond celebrating the club's first-ever Supporters' Shield.

As if it could be any other way, Justin Morrow and Steven Beitashour both played their 200th MLS match (regular season and playoffs combined), reaching the milestone in tandem, manning opposite flanks, the way they have spent much of their careers. 

“You don't mention one without talking about the other,” said Drew Moor on Tuesday after training. “They've been such a huge part of this club and every team they've been on.”

“I knew about both of them their rookie year, coming into the league, and you could tell right away they were going to have good long careers,” continued Moor. “They've got 200 games, I expect them to get to 300, 350, more. They're great locker room guys; they deserve all the honours that they get.”

Both players joined the league back in 2010 with the San Jose Earthquakes, but it was the Quakes 2012 Supporters' Shield winning season that saw them flourish into MLS stalwarts.

On Tuesday, TFC coach Greg Vanney called them “consummate professionals.”

“In San Jose, they were two critical pieces to a Supporters' Shield winning team,” said Vanney. “They got divided up for a couple years – Justin coming here, Beitashour to Vancouver; [only to] get together again here.”

“[Both] reliable, take care of themselves; first ones in the gym, last ones out, [have] specific routines and protocols they are diligent about following. That allows them to be prepared and ready for every game,” added Vanney. “That's a big part of being a pro: knowing yourself; what you need, being ready to perform week in and week out. You don't get to 200 games if you don't have that dedication to your craft.”

While the landmark is nice, for Morrow the best part is, “Where we're at in our careers, the club we are at, the things that we're doing”. 

“To be at a club where we are winning, have chance to win a cup, that's what is so special,” said Morrow. “If we were anywhere else and things were bleak, I don't think it would be. To do it with a guy I've been with for a long time, came into the league with, a good friend, to have a chance of winning, is very important.”

Said Beitashour: “It's been really cool. Justin is a great guy, we've shared a lot of great memories together. [The milestone is] one of them included.”

Morrow celebrated the night in style, capping his first 200 games in the league with his first hat-trick, earning MLS Player of the Week honours in the process. 

The three goals against the New York Red Bulls brings his season tally up to eight, a new career-high.

“Justin was huge,” said Vanney post-match. “You can’t score three goals as a left wingback, help your team win the Supporters' Shield, and not have had an incredible night as a player.” 

“Justin has really evolved here,” noted Vanney. “We switched him to a wingback and now we can’t get him out of the front of the goal. He is one of the most eager players to get to the back post, get in front of the goal.” 

“To be a wingback, to cover that much territory over the course of the game, to help your team defend and be in front of goal for situations like that, is an immense amount of work,” continued Vanney. “Justin puts it in every night. When [he] is aggressive, he's a very difficult player to handle. He does great things for us.” 

“It's been special to see how many goals he's been able to contribute, how many attacking moves, all while doing his job defensively,” added Vanney. “It's been a special season for him; hopefully people are taking notice.”

For his part, Morrow credits his teammates for his success: “The praise goes to them.  With this many good guys on the team all you have to do is get yourself in the box and you're going to have opportunities.” 

For the two good friends, roommates on the road, to share the special night together was enough for both, though, Beitashour, himself no offensive slouch, did admit a cake would have been nice.

“If they would have gotten us something, we would have enjoyed it,” laughed Beitashour. “But I don't think we'll go out and get a cake with a big 200 on it.”

Said Morrow, ever looking forward: “No cake yet. We'll save that for after MLS Cup.”