TORONTO – Three glass cases are embedded in a wall at Toronto FC's Kia Training Ground.
The first contains the Voyageurs Cup, the trophy awarded to the Canadian Championship winners. The third is reserved for the CONCACAF Champions League.
And in the middle: a spot for the MLS Cup.
“We all glance at it; want to see something in there,” admitted striker Jozy Altidore during Monday's playoff media day. “We're full of ambition, hunger. We want to fill those cases.”
TFC begin their quest to hoist this year's cup on Wednesday night with an Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs Knockout Round match against the Philadelphia Union at BMO Field (7:30 pm ET, ESPN2, UniMás, TSN2), hoping to avoid the fate that ended their 2015 campaign at the same stage.
Toronto made the playoffs for the first time in club history last year, only to stumble at the first hurdle, losing 3-0 to their rivals the Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo.
“It was quick,” said defender Justin Morrow. “We went down so early in the game, by so much. Things can snowball quickly; small moments turn into big moments this time of the year.”
Recalled Greg Vanney this week: “We didn't manage the start well; found ourselves in a big hole. It was naive. You've got to be prepared for things to be emotional and fast. Last year's experience, we've got to put it behind us, but take note of it; make sure that we have the right mindset.”
Much though it stung, Toronto have put the loss behind them.
“Different situations, different years,” said Sebastian Giovinco through a translator. “What was last year was last year; was past... now is present. We are focused for Wednesday's game to write this new piece of history.”
There is one facet of the defeat that TFC will carry forward.
“The feeling that you felt sitting in that locker room,” recalled Altidore. “All the build-up, all the talk … we just didn't show up. We have to show up; for our fans, for the city. The chips will fall where they may.”
With another year of experience under their belt, key veteran additions and the memories of Montreal, Toronto believe they are a different beast this time around.
“We're more of a well-rounded team. Not the finished product, but on the right track. We have a chance to do something special,” said Altidore.
Said captain Michael Bradley: “There's been clear improvement every year. To be a team that is playing until the end is the next step. A lot of things [have] to come together: guys who, when the lights come on bright, raise their level, luck, the support of your fans. We're going to get everything.
“What happens from here on is what people remember. There's no use letting that bother you. In big games, it's about which team has more guys who able to embrace the magnitude, leave everything out there, make big plays in important moments, and enjoy it; relish the challenge of what it means to play when everything is on the line.”
The win-or-out nature of Wednesday hangs heavy in the air.
“It's natural to have butterflies: there's not a tomorrow unless you win... you feel that,” noted Vanney. “We've got to draw from that emotion, lay it out there; bring our fans into the game. Make it exciting.”
