TORONTO – Home sweet home.
Mere hours remain before the return of the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs at BMO Field on Wednesday night when Columbus Crew SC travel to face Toronto FC in Leg 2 of the Eastern Conference Championship.
The series is delicately poised after a 0-0 draw in the opening leg last Tuesday in Columbus; exactly the situation TFC have been looking to for the entire season.
“One of our goals was to be able to play the last game at BMO, in front of our fans, have the support behind us, pushing us forward,” said Greg Vanney. “It's right where we want it. It's the greatest stadium to play in in the league; we have the greatest fans behind us.”
His message to the players: “From the first minute to the last, give everything they have to this game, put out the best performance. The result will take care of itself if we execute in the moment.”
That theme, of playing the crucial matches at their park, has been on the lips of nearly every player who spoke this week... since the Supporters' Shield was clinched, in fact.
“We love playing at home, in front of our crowd,” said Steven Beitashour. “If you said at the beginning of the season, 'skip everything in between, we'll give you one game at home; if you win, you're in the cup', we'd take that in a heartbeat.”
Said Jozy Altidore: “It's huge.”
“The fact you get to play potentially the last game of the season at home means you get to dictate how you go out,” continued Altidore. “We've got to make sure we step out on the field, do everything we can to score goals, play good soccer, and most of all win the game. That's all that matters at this point.”
BMO Field has been a fortress for Toronto FC.
Through 17 regular season matches they took 42 of 51 available points with a record of 13 wins, three draws, and one loss. They outscored opponents 45 to 15.
When Columbus came to town in May, Toronto sent them home with a 5-0 defeat.
There is good reason to be confident given the situation.
“Look throughout the season at what we've done at home,” said Beitashour. “We feed off the crowd, their energy. They cheer us on and lift our spirits; it gives us that extra bit of motivation every time.”
The raucous 30,000 fans in attendance will be a factor come game time.
“They always do here at BMO,” said Drew Moor. “They're always amazing, especially this time of year. They'll give us that extra boost, extra energy that we need. There's no doubt about that.”
What kind of atmosphere do TFC expect?
“A good one. A very, very, very good one,” said hometown Jonathan Osorio. “An atmosphere where the fans are going to push us, do everything they can to help us achieve our goal: to win, qualify for the final, get back there.”
“These are fans that have been waiting as long as us for this moment,” added Osorio. “I expect it to be loud.”
Bring it.
Said Michael Bradley: “The relationship this team has with our fans, our support, and with the city is pretty special. I expect an incredible atmosphere tomorrow night.”
