Before we get to the game, can we just talk about the atmosphere in Toronto last night? That was one of the best atmospheres for a sporting event I have ever seen. It was raining, but also smoky because Toronto fans kept setting off flares in the stands.
Honestly, we didn't know Canadians could get that rowdy. Good for them.
The atmosphere was good and the match, if anything, was even better. This was not a well-played soccer game. It was, however, a good soccer game, in terms of total chaos and excitement. Here's what happened:
Montreal went into the match leading 3-2 on aggregate, and Dominic Oduro scored a vital away goal that would have prompted premature celebrations in Montreal if this wasn't the MLS playoffs, where everything is lunacy.
Dominic Oduro didn't score in his first 11 playoff games. He now has 2 in this Eastern final. #TORvMTL @Freakyfast8 https://t.co/uzEX0Y4w0E
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2016
Because this happened.
Not a bad time for Armando Cooper to score his 1st goal for Toronto. @Elpercoo119 #TORvMTL https://t.co/M1mD56f4kh
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2016
And then this happened.
He's unstoppable! @JozyAltidore scores in his 5th straight #MLS playoff game to put Toronto ahead. @HeinekenSoccer https://t.co/VBGh9DHBU1
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2016
At this point, Toronto were going through via away goals (2-1) and all they needed to do was keep Montreal from sco — hey look, what's that?
Hey, they all count the same! Montreal back ahead on aggregate thanks to Piatti's 4th goal of the playoffs. #TORvMTL https://t.co/8bbF3PnZ6D
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2016
Bless the MLS's stacking of the salary cap rules so teams spend big on attackers and not much at all on defenders. It's beautiful. This time it was Montreal who just needed to keep from conceding to punch their ticket to the MLS Cup final and hey look at that.
2 legs. 10 goals. And we're not done yet. Incredible Eastern Conference final! #TORvMTL https://t.co/NojAuF4Wdb
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2016
Of course we would end up with both teams even on every tiebreaker and have to go to extra time. MOAR MLS NONSENSE PLEASE.
Toronto suffered a scare when Sebastian Giovinco limped off, replaced by Benoit Cheyrou. Their fears were remedied when he scored what ended up being the decider.
Instant impact ... against the Impact! Benoit Cheyrou gives Toronto the lead off the bench in extra time. #TORvMTL https://t.co/0oKDf6UYDW
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 1, 2016
Toronto tacked on another for good measure.
#MustSee Altidore to Ricketts for the goal 7-5 #TFC #MLSCupPlayoffs #TFCLive https://t.co/9xrtvkCOg2
— Jean Brunet (@JeanBrunetHFX) December 1, 2016
Toronto will take on Seattle on December 10, and it promises to be extremely lit.
I don't care if the MLS ever gets to the level of the European leagues, just keep churning out playoff series' like this and I'll keep watching. That was awesome.
