In the wake of the team's resounding, embarrassing, gut-churning, tournament-ending 6-0 loss to the rival Montreal Impact in the Voyageurs Cup semifinal, Toronto FC fans have been left with many questions.
But foremost among them is the question: What team achievement can they possibly use as a rallying point from this point forward?
"Even with all the late losses, the dropped points, the missed playoffs... we could always fall back on the Miracle in Montreal and the four straight Voyageurs Cups," said one Toronto FC supporter, who quite understandably asked not to be identified. "Now, not only is the streak over, we can't even use '6-1' as a way to mock Impact fans anymore.
"What the hell are we supposed to hold over Montrealers' heads now?"
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
The supporter briefly considered harping on the Impact's heartbreaking, near-incomprehensible breakdown against Santos Laguna in the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, until he realized Toronto proceeded to crap the bed against that very same Santos Laguna team in 2011-12.
He was then reminded that TFC did reach the tournament semifinals that year, a first for a Canadian team. But that excitement was tempered by the realization that a year earlier, Real Salt Lake had gone one step further, becoming the first MLS side to reach the final of the current incarnation of the competition.
"I mean, getting to the CCL semis was great, don't get me wrong, but if we're gonna come up with something to justify our ongoing emotional investment in this club, it's gotta be something conclusive, y'know?" he said, before scratching his cheek by reaching under the paper bag being worn over his head.
He then began to rattle off what he defined as "conclusive" moments in the club's history, since its first season of MLS play in 2007.
"We had the goalless streak in Year One, that was a record-breaker, but not really the right kind...
"Then we broke another record with the losing streak to start last year. Hmm, again...
"Oh, 5-0 against New York in the last game in 2009, with a potential playoff berth on the line, that was pretty conclusive... wait... dammit!"
At this point, the TFC supporter turned away from a Reserve Squad reporter and temporarily removed the paper bag in order to take a long, contemplative swig of beer.
"Ummm..."
The man plaintively stared at the peeling paint on a nearby wall, desperately searching for a moment -- just one moment -- of unbridled triumph in Toronto FC's history that hasn't somehow been marred by subsequent events or circumstances.
After a long sigh, a eureka moment as he leapt from his chair.
"I've got it!... Seat cushions! What other team covered the field in commemorative seat cushions after their first goal? None! No others! Only us! Twenty-fourth minute, baby! TFC till I die!"
As the minutes passed, the smile gradually faded from his face and he sat back down at the bar stool and let out an audible groan.
"Another round, please."
.