Toronto FC 1-Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2

The defending MLS Cup champions are out! On Saturday night Vancouver Whitecaps FC sealed their Canadian rivals 2018 fate, scoring a late second half goal to earn the 2-1 win at BMO Field.

Russell Teibert put the Whitecaps early with a goal in the fourth minute.  Jozy Altidore levelled the score with a penalty kick goal in the 73rd minute but Kei Kamara put his side ahead for good just five minutes later for good.

With win the Whitecaps (12-12-7, 43 points) keep their playoff hopes alive keeping within striking distance of Real Salt Lake (13-12-7, 46 points) for the sixth and final playoff spot. They will host Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday October 17th in their home season finale.

As for Toronto they become the first defending MLS Cup title holder to fall short in the following season of making the playoffs since the 2016 Portland Timbers. They will travel to Audi Field in Washington D.C. in ten days as the role of spoiler against D.C. United.

You can check out Luis Martinez’s recap of the match below. In the meantime please enjoy some of our photos from the match courtesy of Prost Amerika photographers David Chant (You can give him your thoughts on Instagram) and Michael Fayehun (you can follow him on Instagram here) . Also our full gallery of TFC photos can be found on SmugMug.

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #21 Jonathan Osorio of Toronto FC reacts during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #2 Justin Morrow of Toronto FC applauds the fans after the Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #10 Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto FC during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #17 Jozy Altidore of Toronto FC during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #17 Jozy Altidore of Toronto FC during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #21 Jonathan Osorio of Toronto FC during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #10 Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto FC attempts a cross during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #7 Victor Vazquez of Toronto FC challenges for the ball in the air during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #10 Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto FC is tackled by Vancouver’s Daniel Henry during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #17 Jozy Altidore of Toronto FC takes a penalty kick and scores during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #7 Victor Vazquez of Toronto FC challenges for the ball in the air during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #10 Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto FC during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #10 Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto FC during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #10 Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto FC reacts during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #10 Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto FC during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #10 Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto FC during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #96 Auro of Toronto FC during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: Toronto FC Captain #4 Michael Bradley during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #16 Lucas Janson of Toronto FC during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #18 Marky Delgado of Toronto FC attempts a shot during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography

TORONTO, CANADA – Oct 06: #21 Jonathan Osorio of Toronto FC during Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BMO Field on October 06, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Photo: Michael Fayehun/F10 Sports Photography