10 highs and lows in a decade of Toronto FC history
Toronto FC may have one match remaining in the 2016 season, but history has already been made as the club clinched a home playoff game for the very first time. It is a match that has been 10 years in the making at BMO Field.
With a decade of memories to look back on ahead of this historic day, here are 10 highs and lows from Toronto FC's past 10 seasons:
23:13 - Oh, Danny Dichio!
There's no talking about high points in the history of Toronto FC without referring to the club's first goal, scored in the 24th minute by Danny Dichio. Seat cushions darkened the sky as Toronto's boisterous fans celebrated the goal, which took five league matches to finally arrive.
To this day, supporters sing for Dichio on the 23:13 mark in each home match.
The Homecoming of Dwayne De Rosario
Toronto-born Dwayne De Rosario was an icon in MLS, winning MLS Cup titles with the Houston Dynamo and the San Jose Earthquakes. So it was quite a day of celebration when Toronto FC finally brought him home. He repaid the city's love in kind, recording 27 goals and 10 assists in 57 league appearances.
The Miracle in Montreal
Toronto FC went into its final match of the Amway Canadian Championship needing to win by four goals in order to claim the Voyageurs Cup. It was an unprecedented margin for the Reds, but against the Montreal Impact, De Rosario's hat trick inspired a 6-1 victory that gave the club its first trophy.
A Rainy Night in New Jersey
Toronto FC needed just one point to qualify for the playoffs in 2009, and traveled to New Jersey on a rainy October night to take on the New York Red Bulls. There, TFC endured heartbreak in the form of a thorough 5-0 drubbing.
A Bad April Fools Joke
You could forgive TFC fans for not believing this particular news report, since it was posted on April Fools' Day. Discontent with his salary, De Rosario asked for more money by mimicking signing a cheque after scoring a goal. He then went on a surprise trial with Celtic in the offseason before being traded.
Aron Winter's "Worst Team in the World"
When Aron Winter took over as head coach in 2011, he brought with him the ideals of Dutch football. With Danny Koevermans and Torsten Frings on board, Winter endured a tough first season before losing nine consecutive matches to start the 2012 season. It prompted Koevermans to call Toronto the "worst team in the world" and Winter was fired shortly after.
Tim Leiweke's 'Bloody Big Deal'
Former MLSE president Tim Leiweke was not without his faults, but deserves plenty of credit in making TFC a world-class team: he planned the renovation of BMO Field, brought in star players Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley, and restored faith in club management with the hires of Tim Bezbatchenko and Greg Vanney.
The Departure of Jermain Defoe
No recent off-field event was perhaps as heartbreaking as the departure of a disillusioned Defoe, who seemingly grew unhappy after Ryan Nelsen was let go as head coach. His departure wasn't disastrous, as Jozy Altidore arrived in a trade with Sunderland, but the months of uncertainty beforehand was agonizing.
The Atomic Ant: Sebastian Giovinco
Toronto FC needed a hero after Defoe's departure, and found it in Sebastian Giovinco. The Atomic Ant guided the Reds to its first playoff berth in club history, recording 22 goals and 16 assists in his MVP-winning debut season. This goal - which cemented a playoff spot - has become a part of TFC legend.
A Listless Loss in Montreal
As far as Toronto FC has come in 10 years, the club has yet to make a claim at true glory. Last season, the Reds went into Montreal for their first-ever playoff match and left in agony. A dogged performance saw Vanney's side ousted without a whimper and fueled the bitterness of the 401 Derby.
In this, Toronto's 10th season, the club will look to right this wrong, too.