AFTER 90: Once, twice... three times a NutCan

See those three Maple Leafs Whitecaps? Yeah, those are ours.



IN THE TUNNEL:
No signs of torrential rains or other biblical wraths on the horizon as the two clubs make their way onto a hot and hazy BMO Field. The Canadian Championship and a spot in CONCACAF Champions League is on the line as familiar foes, TFC and Whitecaps, conclude what started more than a month ago. With a 1-1 aggregate, it was all to play for...

ON THE PITCH:
1' - A smaller than usual, but louder than recent, crowd roars Toronto on and hopes that the karma stays on The Reds' side. Kick-off...
10' - The Reds look a little vulnerable on the Dan Gargan-side of the defence as Whitecaps test the waters in TFC's third
13' - A 3/4 full crowd with a 3/4 higher volume than usual
15' - Maicon Santos can only manage to hit the side netting after running out of space after receiving a long range Joao Plata pass
17' - SUB: Maicon Santos hobbles off - replaced by Javier Martina
21' - GOAL: Camilo Sanvezzo silences the crowd after curling a beautiful free kick around the TFC wall and past Stefan Frei. Despite the softness off the penalty call, the goal was class
TORONTO 0 - VANCOUVER 0 (1-2 Agg.)
22' - Molotov cocktails put back in cupboards across Vancouver
25' - TFC find their composure and attack Whitecaps in a flurry with Julian de Guzman hitting the post followed by a scramble which saw Caps' keeper / adult video legend Joe Cannon make numerous stops
32' - Plata buzzes around Cannon forcing a save. Specialist video.
40' - Groans of anguish around Toronto as Javier Martina catches Cannon way out of net and seemingly directs the ball into the Vancouver goal. Seemingly because Caps' defender Jay DeMerit slides the ball off the line. Anguish because half the stadium and most cameras saw the ball cross the goal line. Starting to feel like karma has swung westward.
44' - As the halftime beckons, there is a sense of cosmic doom floating through the stands. Surely the God wouldn't do this after washing out the original fixture?

HALFTIME: TORONTO 0 - VANCOUVER 1 (AGG. 1-2)

45' - Worried faces in the crowd want TFC to come out flying... or massive tornadic activity to roll in
46' - The Reds do indeed fly out of the gates as "El MosQuito" Joao Plata dribbles a shot that teases the Vancouver line but doesn't beat Cannon. I know, too many entendres
50' - PENALTY: Plata is brought down in the Caps' box and coolly steps up to take the kick... and NO! Groans, bad karma and filthy swearing rain out as the NutCan looks headed westward... but wait... the officials claim that Joe Cannon got off too quickly (his line pervs) and Plata would get a do-over. The Ecuadorian Cucumber stepped up again and this time - GOAL: slotted it past Cannon
TORONTO 1 - VANCOUVER 1 (AGG: 2-2)
51' - Fires, looting reported throughout downtown Vancouver
56: SUB: Injured Ty Harden off for Tony Tchani who moves into the defensive back four
58' - Vancouver Lululemon stores smashed. Hot Yoga cancelled
61' - GOAL: All from the feet off Plata as the youngster's cross finds the foot of Mikael Yourassowsky who becomes the rarest of things - a Belgian folk-hero!
TORONTO 2 - VANCOUVER 1 (AGG: 3-2)
63' - Army called into Vancouver as SkyTrains overturned, armed gangs go granola crazy at Whole Foods, dogs & cats living together... mass hysteria!
70' - TFC managing to avoid temptation to go into defensive turtle
80' - Starting to turtle just a wee bit
84' - SUB: de Guzman off for Doneil Henry... ok, now they're turtling
90'+ - Whole stadium holding breath can't be healthy but TFC are scrapping and fighting defensively with a lot of heart...
90'+ - CHAMPIONS! BMO Field erupts in a way we haven't seen in a long time

FULL TIME: TORONTO 2 - VANCOUVER 1
(AGGREGATE 3-2)

IN THE BATHS:
For many of us who put up with the cold, the colder, the wet, the wetter, the scorching heat and a lot of dodgy football, it's these days when we remember why. A true roller coaster of emotion from frustration, to anger, to joy, to panic and finally exhausted elation - watching Toronto FC lift their third consecutive Voyageur's Cup felt very cathartic. This week with its wins, huge signings and now silverware feels like the dawn of the "new TFC" that we were promised. Who knows - the euphoria may be short-lived but it felt great for one day and gives us a reason to learn more about Nicaragua. For Vancouver supporters, this year's NutCan will go down as yet another perceived injustice for the team who just can't get their hands on the prize but history will only remember TFC's name emblazoned thrice. That and the riots.

PLAYER RATINGS: Stefan Frei 6.5 / Dan Gargan 6.5 / Richard Eckersley 6.5 / Ty Harden 6 (Tony Tchani 6.5) / Danleigh Borman 6.5 / Mikael Yourassowsky 7 / Nathan Sturgis 6 / Julian de Guzman 6.5 (Doneil Henry - ) / Nick Soolsma 6 / Maicon Santos 6 (Javier Martina 7) / Joao Plata 8

THE YORKIES' MAN OF THE MATCH: Joao Plata
TALKING POINT: Has Nicaragua ever seen a Torsten Frings? Discuss