Coming off a 6-2 loss to the Seattle Sounders in their last game before the international break, the Columbus Crew were probably licking their chops at the opportunity to face Trillium Cup rivals Toronto FC, a team to whom they had never lost. Instead, it was TFC that pulled out the rather unlikely victory, beating the Crew 4-2. It was the Reds' first road victory of the season and, coupled with their tie against the Crew earlier this year, marked the first time they won the Trillium Cup.
Columbus Crew Vs. Toronto FC: TFC Picks Up Rare Road Win, Claims First-Ever Trillium Cup
The Reds jumped out to a 2-0 first-half lead on goals from Nick Soolsma and Ryan Johnson and never surrendered the lead. The Crew twice pulled with in a goal, first a Tommy Heinemann strike in the 67th minute, and then on an Andres Mendoza blast from about 20 yards in the 87th minute. But each time the Reds answered. Julian De Guzman and Danny Koevermans finished off the scoring for TFC.
The Crew have now been outscored 10-4 in their past two games and have now been caught by Sporting Kansas City atop the Eastern Conference. The teams are level with 40 points apiece, but the Crew do have a game in hand, but SKC are eight better on goal difference.
The win keeps TFC’s faint playoff hopes alive, but also marks a benchmark in the franchise’s history. Ever since TFC joined the league in 2008, the Crew have been a somewhat forced rival. Taking even more sting out of the rivalry has been the Crew’s domination of it. TFC had never beaten the Crew in nine previous meetings. TFC are six points behind the No. 10 playoff spot.
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