The Miracle in Montreal

As the final whistle blew, it appeared as though once again Toronto FC would be missing out on that all so precious spot in the forthcoming CONCACAF Champions League. While the Vancouver Whitecaps clearly deserved to win, on paper TFC were the stronger team and should have at least picked up a draw. Evidently games are never won on paper. While the tournament hadn’t officially ended, with Toronto still having one game in hand, TFC would need to go to Montreal and beat the Impact by four goals. Indeed scoring four goals appeared as an insurmountable situation. While stranger things have occurred in the world of football, Toronto had only once before scored four goals. It was clear for many including myself that hope had all but faded.

Leading up to the match, I admit that I was waffling about whether or not I should make the trip to Montreal. I was close to finishing my first half semester of classes and I found myself with a lack of time studying for my final exam in Statistics. In the end, with a little motivation from a fellow Red Patch Boy here in Ottawa, I decided I should go. Whether they win or lose, I am Toronto Till I Die and I had the duty as a fan to go and support the boys in Red.

As the bus pulled into the Beri-UQAM station in Montreal, I knew I was in for a soggy night. Indeed as so eloquently said in French, Il pleuvait des cordes. Before going to meet up with some RPB’s (Red Patch Boys) at a local pub, a couple of friends and myself all headed down to the famous Schwartz Deli. Having never gone, I was in for a culinary treat. Indeed, not only does Schwartz serve some of the best-smoked meat in Montreal, it could be seen as the epitome of smoked meat in Canada and possibly the world. Surely if you are ever in Montreal you must not miss this fine establishment! Having eaten our fair share and feeling rather full, we then headed to a local pub before jumping on the metro.

The journey to the stadium was a pure joyride. With all the TFC fans together in two separate metro cars, singing and jumping at their hearts content, the metro literally jumped its way down to the Pie IX metro station. I can only imagine the relief felt by those not going to the match, who had no idea what was taking place. We all got off the metro and slowly winded our way to the stadium like a river of red. With just enough time to grab a drink before kick-off, we all crammed into section 223.

The match began poorly for TFC as Montreal were given a penalty in the 24th minute of play. Donatelli converted and TFC now needed five goals. Talk about a bleak picture. Fortunately for the reds, De Rosario finally got TFC on the board as he bicycle kicked a nice ball home in the 29th minute. De Ro slotted home another before half time and while the fans weren’t convinced that Toronto would pull off the miracle, the Red’s were sufficiently dominating the match to give the fans enough hope for a win before heading into the half.

Halftime came and went and only four short minutes after kick-off De Ro scored another goal to complete his hatrick. 3-1 TFC. We only stood two goals from pulling off an amazing result. The clock ticked a good twenty minutes before Guevara scored a simply amazing free kick from just outside the box. 4-1 TFC. This put TFC within one goal of winning. Could this really be happening?

Toronto continued to dominate and clearly the only sound emanating around the stadium came from the TFC supporters. Surely, this was seen as shameful among those supporting the homeside. While one could claim that this match was of no significance for the Impact, they would be duly wrong. As any one from Montreal can attest, les Montréalais do not like losing to any team from Toronto whether that be hockey, soccer or even lawn bowling.

As the TFC supporters became even more anxious with every minute closer to 90, Toronto finally won a decisive corner in the 82nd minute. As the ball curled into the box it was met by the head of who else but Chad Barrett who with a slight touch directed the ball fashionably into the ground before it finally bounced into the corner of the Djekanovic’s net.

Blur.

As I opened my eyes, I found myself four rows down from where I had started, hugging another supporter who I had never met. Mass hysteria filled section 223. Toronto had actually scored enough goals to overtake Vancouver in the standings. Toronto could actually be playing Champions League football for the first time in its short history. With another goal scored in the 90th by Guevara, Toronto had won the game 6-1 making it probably the greatest game in their history. The cherry on top was beating Montreal and stealing the crown that we as supporters had wanted since the inception of the Canadian Championship last year.

           

As a passionate fan of football, I feel privileged to have partook in this momentous occasion. While I had only attended one other final before this, (the much more prestigious UEFA Champions League Final in 2006 when FC Barcelona beat Arsenal FC) that final couldn’t even match a tentth of the emotion I felt in this final. I have no deep attachment to either FCB or Arsenal but I do with Toronto FC. I had watched Danny Dichio score the first goal in my living room in Alberta wishing I could be there. Thankfully I was in Montreal and I was living TFC’s history. I hope in 50 years I can tell the younger fans how I experienced first hand, the great Miracle in Montreal.

                                                      

My thanks go out to all of the other TFC supporters who made the trip. The ambiance was great and we owe it to you who never stop believing in the Reds. Hope to see you all next year. 

Cheers.