Well, on the positive side, Toronto FC supporters have got what they wanted: an opportunity for their team to play a role in denying the Montreal Impact a first ever place in the MLS Cup playoffs. Maybe, if they’re lucky, it’ll be a two hour reprieve from the monotony of 2013; meaning in a by and large meaningless season. It’s a narrative the club has been happy to embrace as they struggle to keep fans engaged as the clock runs out on another losing season on the north shore of Lake Ontario.
Then again, this is Toronto FC. Would anyone find it even remotely surprising if they were to disappoint their fans one more time? What seems to have been forgotten is the necessary corollary of the Reds opportunity to play (potential) spoiler: the Impact can clinch in the home of their erstwhile rival. After seven years of waiting how painful will it be if the team celebrating a first playoff berth on the final day of the season at BMO Field is the one wearing blue?[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Of course, the Impact shouldn’t even be in the position of needing a result in Toronto. While it was always unlikely that they would maintain the blistering pace of the first part of their season over the entire summer and fall, the Impact’s collapse in the last month and a half has been nearly catastrophic. From Supporter’s Shield contention and nearly guaranteed a playoff spot to just barely hanging on. If Montreal had not successfully turned over the Philadelphia Union last weekend in their last home game they’d be on the outside looking in.
One player who is unlikely to be taking part, however, is Alessandro Nesta. Listed as out with a “lower body injury” on the league’s official website there was nothing about the way the Italian left the field in the late stages of the Philadelphia game that would give anyone confidence that he’d be ready to return a week later. While much was made of the Impact’s reliance on older players, their staff have actually done a reasonably good job of keeping the majority of them available late into the season. It’s tempting to blame Montreal’s swoon on the tiring of those players but, even if that’s accurate, the Impact have still won more games out of their last ten then Toronto.
That said, most teams have won more games in their last ten then Toronto FC. It hasn’t always been embarrassing but Ryan Nelsen’s (and Kevin Payne’s) 2013 edition is right up there with the other terrible teams of the Red’s recent history. Without a win, they’ll equal the low achieved last season of a meager five wins in a 34 game season. Even with a win, they’ll fail to reach the 30 point threshold and finish well behind the 33 points earned in Aron Winter’s first season.
Yes, that’s right: Aron Winter’s full season in charge was actually more successful. If you told a Reds supporter, at the end 2011, that the next two seasons would both be worse would they have even thought that possible? The only thing believable is that Toronto has, unsurprisingly, had two more managers in that time!
Maybe in a couple more seasons 2013 will be remembered differently. Maybe it will look like a necessary turning point that leads to a different Toronto FC. A young rookie manager was given a chance, a significant foreign signing was made, an MLS capable journeyman was acquired, and a young Canadian made an unexpected rise from the fringes of the squad to a regular starter. Maybe in a couple years there won’t be frustration over failed loans, missed opportunities in the draft, fan favourites frozen out, and talent seemingly given away for little immediate return.
That, if it ever happens, will be in the future. For now it’s time to close the book on 2013. For Toronto supporters still invested in the travails of their stumbling club, simply getting to the end is an achievement itself.