The 2017 MLS Cup champions Toronto FC begin defense of their crown with a rematch of the 2017 Eastern Conference Championship as they host Columbus Crew SC on Saturday at BMO Field (1 p.m. ET / TSN 1/4/5). The match represents the first of 10 opening-week games.
TFC rewrote the history books last year with a record-breaking 2017 that included a league-best 69-point regular season to win the Supporters’ Shield, a Canadian Championship title and the club’s first MLS Cup with a 2-0 victory against 2016 champions Seattle Sounders FC. The Reds return the main crux of their championship squad, led by Italian forward Sebastian Giovinco and U.S. Men’s National Team staples Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley. Head coach Greg Vanney will have some added depth in 2018 that includes 22-year-old Brazilian outside back Auro, Dutch international Gregory van der Wiel, and the recent signing of 24-year-old Spanish midfielder Ager Aketxe.
TFC rewrote the history books last year with a record-breaking 2017 that included a league-best 69-point regular season to win the Supporters’ Shield, a Canadian Championship title and the club’s first MLS Cup with a 2-0 victory against 2016 champions Seattle Sounders FC. The Reds return the main crux of their championship squad, led by Italian forward Sebastian Giovinco and U.S. Men’s National Team staples Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley. Head coach Greg Vanney will have some added depth in 2018 that includes 22-year-old Brazilian outside back Auro, Dutch international Gregory van der Wiel, and the recent signing of 24-year-old Spanish midfielder Ager Aketxe.
Columbus hopes to play the role of spoiler and rebound from its 1-0 aggregate loss to Toronto in the 2017 conference final. Crew SC have added several key pieces this offseason, including a trade for 26-year-old U.S. MNT forward Gyasi Zardes, who produced 34 goals in 131 regular-season games with the LA Galaxy in his previous five seasons.
Crew SC closed out the 2017 regular season with a 10-game unbeaten streak and impressed with a deep run in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. Toronto’s memorable 2017 included a league-leading 13 regular-season victories, setting up for one of the most anticipated Week 1 clashes of the 2018 MLS Regular Season.
Crew SC closed out the 2017 regular season with a 10-game unbeaten streak and impressed with a deep run in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. Toronto’s memorable 2017 included a league-leading 13 regular-season victories, setting up for one of the most anticipated Week 1 clashes of the 2018 MLS Regular Season.
By: Editor
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