TORONTO — There was a tangible energy pent up at BMO Field, lying just beneath the surface.
The feeling wasn't just the product of Toronto FC's parade of near misses in the MLS Cup final against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday — it stemmed from a wait for exultation that dated back to last year's title game, lost to the same opponent on penalties.
Then came a moment of magic courtesy of Sebastian Giovinco, followed by a bit of class from Jozy Altidore. And those 30,584 fans finally let loose.
Goal
Altidore's 67th-minute strike was all Toronto needed, with Victor Vazquez adding a stoppage-time insurance tally en route to a 2-0 win over Seattle in the MLS Cup final. In claiming the league title, Toronto followed up its Supporters' Shield win and Canadian Championship triumph to become the first team in MLS to earn a treble.
At long last. @JozyAltidore gives @torontofc the lead at #MLSCup . https://t.co/CSUcnC5EWV
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 9, 2017
It was Toronto that proved to be the aggressor off the bat, with Drew Moor floating an early header over the bar from point-blank range. Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei was then called into action twice in quick succession, denying a stinging effort from Jonathan Osorio before getting the faintest of touches on a Giovinco shot as the Italian closed in at the far post.
In fact, it wasn't until the 30th minute that Joevin Jones gave Seattle a shot on goal — marking the first for the Sounders in 150 minutes of MLS Cup play against Toronto, having failed to put an effort on target during last year's penalties win after a 0-0 draw.
TFC kept piling on the pressure, with Frei doing well to turn away shots from Marco Delgado and Vazquez before Jones narrowly escaped an own goal with one risky clearance. Steven Beitashour came close early in the second half, curling a left-footed effort just beyond the top corner, and Michael Bradley's bid from distance in the 60th minute forced an enticing rebound that Toronto couldn't pounce on.
Super @Stefan24Frei . #MLSCup pic.twitter.com/wUtUdefgko
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 9, 2017
But TFC finally broke through, as Giovinco split the center backs with an exquisite through ball before Altidore lifted his shot over the onrushing Frei and lunging Jones — sending BMO Field into long-awaited raptures.
BEDLAM.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 9, 2017
It's 2-0 @torontofc! #MLSCup
https://t.co/UVdaNcEA4M
And Vazquez added the icing on the cake in the dying stages, bundling home into an empty net after Armando Cooper's shot rang the post.