Injury kept Jozy Altidore out of uniform again for Toronto FC’s Eastern Conference Final showdown with Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday, though the US striker was on hand and watching closely from a suite with members of the TFC front office – and a very special guest.
Altidore’s fiancee, tennis star Sloane Stephens, was by his side and both shared their euphoric reactions to TFC’s upset victory on Instagram. Altidore even credited Stephens as the bearer of good fortune for his Reds, who have now knocked off two straight favored and higher-seeded opponents in impressive road wins in these Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs, despite missing their game-changing targetman throughout the postseason.
He also made sure to join his teammates for celebrations in the visiting locker room at MBS:
They’ll now aim to do so one more time as they prepare to visit CenturyLink Field on Nov. 10 for their third MLS Cup final matchup with the Seattle Sounders in the past four years.
Could Altidore regain fitness in time to play a part? Here's what the striker had to say to FS1's Katie Witham after the game.
"It's hard for a final, injured or not, to pass it up. They only come around so few times in life to play in games and win a trophy so I'm going to give everything I have to make sure I'm helping these guys out."
If he's out there or not, we can probably guess at who his good-luck charm will be.
