After Toronto FC won the MLS Cup in 2017, there was little doubt in anyone’s mind that they were the best side in Major League Soccer that year.
There were many pundits however who went that step further and claimed they were the best side in Major League Soccer’s short history. With 69 points in 34 games and a goal difference of plus 37, they reached the level of performance that commonly wins leagues in countries without the level playing field of a salary cap.
After their exhibition match with Tijuana Xolos in San Diego, Nick Hagglund stopped off to talk to Prost Amerika. He had had an eventful night, playing the last section of the match in goal after Alex Bono’s dismissal. Bono had replaced Clint Irwin who had started the game, meaning there was no reserve goalkeeper at the ready.
More important than the Cincinatti native’s cameo in goal though, was the fact that the probable starting XI had played over an hour of competitive football after two exhibitions with university sides where two halves of 45 minutes were not used. Hagglund confirmed that those who had done so felt good and went on to talk about how the early start to their season had affected the pre-season.
Hagglund reported a positive bill of health from the night’s starters
They begin their 2018 campaign as early as February 20th when they meet the Colorado Rapids in CCL action.
Asked for his views on whether the 2017 Toronto side were the league’s best however, Hagglund started by looking forward to the upcoming campaign but seemed to later say that in his opinion they were, as his voice tailed off. Watch the video and judge for yourself.
If he were to have said that, there are plenty who will agree with him. And on the basis of their solid performance last night in San Diego, they look a veteran team with some very solid MLS components, notably Drew Moor, who made a fantastic goal saving tackle in the first half.
In fact, the club looks fairly deep in defence.
After a rocky start to the game, Chris Mavinga recovered his composure and suggested that Nicolas Hasler, Ashtone Morgan, and Hagglund himself will all have to fight to get a regular starting berth. This was all before this morning’s addition of Gregory van der Wiel from Sardinian club Cagliari. Throw in Justin Morrow and Eriq Zavaleta, and there is a defensive depth of not inconsiderable experience and calibre.
Who knows? Maybe they’ll even improve on that plus 37 goal difference and create more records. One thing is for certain. If they do, it probably won’t be with Nick Hagglund in goal despite last night’s heroics.
Giovinco nets twice as Toronto narrowly defeat Tijuana Xolos
