Toronto FC ties MLS record for best regular-season points total

Toronto FC wrote its name in the MLS record books with a 1-0 win over rivals Montreal Impact on Sunday.

The Reds' 20th victory of 2017 gave them 68 points in the regular season, tied with the 1998 LA Galaxy for the best all-time point tally in league history. Toronto has the distinction, however, of being the first team to reach the 68-point mark in the post-shootout era.

Head coach Greg Vanney called the accomplishment a "nice feather in the cap for a group of guys who have worked very hard this year," according to Laura Armstrong of the Toronto Star.

The team has one more chance to add to its total in its final match of the 2017 campaign away at Atlanta United on Oct. 22. With a win or a draw, the Reds would hold the outright record for the best regular season ever.

Sunday's match itself, won in the first half with Jozy Altidore's 14th goal of the year, was the underlying story of bigger celebrations on the day as the Reds lifted the Supporters' Shield for the very first time. The Impact depart BMO Field having failed to make the playoffs, and will feel particularly aggrieved by a few of referee Ted Unkel's decisions.

The posts also played a big role in the result, as did Toronto FC goalkeeper Alex Bono, who recorded his 10th clean sheet of the season. Returning star man Sebastian Giovinco failed to score a penalty at the stroke of half-time, hitting the post with his typical left-sided shot - but Unkel pointed for a re-do as goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau stepped off his line.

The Atomic Ant then repeated his initial error, smacking the left post again.

The bars were kinder to Toronto FC in the second half. Victor Cabrera saw his long-range shot smack off both of the sticks before it was pounced on by a shaken Bono.

In the end, Toronto FC took all three points and works now on procuring just one more to round out the regular season. The focus will then shift to the post-season, where the Reds will look to complete their treble with a first MLS Cup. Should Toronto make the final, it will be contested at BMO Field.

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