The MLS has put down the briefcase and moved beyond the typical 'business end of the season' as the playoffs move the season into tournament mode. Two teams going toe-to-toe on Canadian soil in Leg One of the Eastern Conference Semi-Final over the weekend were Toronto FC and NYCFC, captured here by Matthew Stith.
A fixture of firsts, this was unchartered territory for NYCFC having never been involved in the playoffs before. Finishing up the regular season with strength, they headed into this fixture having earned a second place in the Eastern Conference. Toronto FC too finished on good form, just one point behind NYCFC so this game had 'solid battle' written all over it. Playing hosts with the most however, it was Toronto FC who turned up and gave their fans serious reasons to be cheerful, delivering a decisive double and brushing NYCFC aside with a 2-0 win.
With plenty of familiar names on the pitch with Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore both picking up the party for Toronto FC, Frank Lampard and David Villa donned the blue of NYCFC in a setting that was in every way energised ― a real theatre for football to thrive. Andrea Pirlo was a late omission through injury for the visitors who were swiped aside with goals from Altidore and Tosaint Ricketts both after the 80 minute mark.
A supreme showing from the Toronto FC faithful saw their support reach a whole new level with over 28,000 in attendance. Shirtless and in full voice, flares smothered the pitch from the back of the stands to the edge of the penalty area. So where does the result leave things? The second leg is huge. NYCFC will need to come out flying if they want to make it to the Eastern Final. The next game between these too can't come soon enough.
Photography by Matthew Stith for SoccerBible.
