When the 2020 MLS season started, and we told you that Toronto FC would lose to Nashville in the MLS playoffs, you would have a few thoughts. "Nashville has a team?" Yes, the team just started in 2020. "That means Toronto lost in the MLS Cup since Nashville is in the west." That was true when the 2020 MLS season began.
The long and interrupted 2020 MLS season ended for Toronto FC on an empty and cold night in East Hartford, CT by getting shut out by a team that didn't exist a year earlier.
The long wait in between the regular season and playoff games. The injuries. The living in hotel rooms in Connecticut since September.
Nashville posted a 1-0 win in extra time last night, eliminating the second and final Canadian MLS team from the 2020 MLS playoffs. The Montréal Impact suffered a 2-1 loss to the New England Revolution in Foxborough, MA on Friday night.
Not the way we wanted this run to end. And although we couldn’t be together, we felt the support from each and every one of you. In a season full of unknowns and challenges, you all were the constant. #TFCLive
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) November 25, 2020
Can’t wait to see you all again by the lakeshore. pic.twitter.com/phkzabEwEc
Daniel Rios scored the only goal of the game in the 108th minute.
Toronto almost scored in extra time as Richie Lareya set up Ayo Akinola, but the latter couldn't catch up to the ball.
Nashville dominated the game, especially in the second half.
We can't overlook the moment in the 32nd minute when Toronto's Jonathan Osorio, after a skirmish with Alex Muyl, ended up kicking Muyl in a highly sensitive area. Somehow, Osorio avoided a red card.
2020 MLS playoffs preview
Toronto, Montreal make 2020 MLS playoffs
Nashville advanced to play Toronto after shutting out Inter Miami CF 3-0 in the franchise's first MLS playoff win. Both Nashville and Inter Miami CF are in their inaugural season. The Nashville franchise started the season in the Western Conference but was moved to the Eastern Conference for the Orlando tournament.
Toronto FC and Nashville didn't even meet in the regular season. You might remember that Nashville didn't play in the Orlando tournament since the team had too many COVID-19 cases.
Toronto was only the second higher seed team to lose in the first round, joining the Portland Timbers.
The Reds went back to Toronto with family before heading to Hartford. The U.S. teams could be with their families since the season resumed in August.
Canadian MLS teams start an extended U.S. road trip
2020 MLS regular season returns with all-Canadian games
The Montréal Impact might not have won in extra time but lost very late in regulation, giving up the winning goal in the 95fh minute. Romell Quioto evened the score at 1 with a header in the 61st minute. New England pulled out a 2-1 win.
The Impact goal came on a free kick from midfielder Amar Sejdic. Rudy Camacho bounced the ball off his head to Quioto.
Montréal was a bit shorthanded with Victor Wanyama not back from playing with the Kenyan national team. Midfielder Samuel Piette was suspended after a red card in the regular season finale.
This was the first MLS playoff game for Montréal since 2016. New England hadn't won a playoff game since 2014.
All 3 Canadian MLS teams advance to Round of 16 in Orlando
MLS 2020 Orlando tournament preview
This was the first Toronto FC game (outside the Orlando tournament) that was on U.S. television in all of 2020. The Reds had been to 3 of the last 4 MLS Cups and were left off of the U.S. television schedule in English and Spanish. A first-round loss will solidify that standing.
Toronto FC had a chance to be on ABC on Sunday with a win. The top-seed Philadelphia Union also lost last night.
NHL, MLB, MLS latest sports leagues to suspend their regular season
2020 MLS preview
CanadianCrossing.com soccer coverage
MLS Canadian teams playoffs results
| Year | Date | Teams | Winner | Score |
| 2020 | November 24 | Nashville @ Toronto | Nashville | 1-0 (ET) |
| 2020 | November 20 | Montréal @ New England | New England | 2-1 |
| 2019 | November 10 | Toronto @ Seattle | Seattle | 3-1 |
| 2019 | October 30 | Toronto @ Atlanta | Toronto | 2-1 |
| 2019 | October 23 | Toronto @ New York City FC | Toronto | 2-1 |
| 2019 | October 19 | D.C. United @ Toronto | Toronto | 5-1 (ET) |
| 2017 | December 9 | Seattle @ Toronto | Toronto | 2-0 |
| 2017 | November 29 | Columbus @ Toronto | Toronto | 1-0 |
| 2017 | November 21 | Toronto @ Columbus | Tie | 0-0 |
| 2017 | November 5 | New York Red Bulls @ Toronto | NY Red Bulls | 1-0 |
| 2017 | November 2 | Vancouver @ Seattle | Seattle | 2-0 |
| 2017 | October 30 | Toronto @ New York Red Bulls | Toronto | 2-1 |
| 2017 | October 29 | Seattle @ Vancouver | Tie | 0-0 |
| 2017 | October 25 | San Jose @ Vancouver | Vancouver | 5-0 |
| 2016 | December 10 | Seattle @ Toronto FC | Seattle | 0-0 (5-4 PK) |
| 2016 | November 30 | Montréal @ Toronto FC | Toronto FC | 5-2 (ET) |
| 2016 | November 22 | Toronto FC @ Montréal | Montréal | 3-2 |
| 2016 | November 6 | Montréal @ New York Red Bulls | Montréal | 2-1 |
| 2016 | November 6 | Toronto FC @ NYCFC | Toronto FC | 5-0 |
| 2016 | October 30 | NYCFC @ Toronto FC | Toronto FC | 2-0 |
| 2016 | October 30 | New York Red Bulls @ Montréal | Montréal | 1-0 |
| 2016 | October 27 | Montréal @ D.C. United | Montréal | 4-2 |
| 2016 | October 26 | Philadelphia @ Toronto FC | Toronto FC | 3-1 |
| 2015 | November 8 | Portland @ Vancouver | Portland | 2-0 |
| 2015 | November 8 | Montréal @ Columbus | Columbus | 3-1 (ET) |
| 2015 | November 1 | Vancouver @ Portland | Tie | 0-0 |
| 2015 | November 1 | Columbus @ Montréal | Montréal | 2-1 |
| 2015 | October 29 | Toronto FC @ Montréal | Montréal | 3-0 |
| 2014 | October 29 | Vancouver @ Dallas | Dallas | 2-1 |
| 2013 | October 31 | Montréal @ Houston | Houston | 3-0 |
| 2012 | November 1 | Vancouver @ LA Galaxy | LA Galaxy | 2-1 |
photo credit: Fox Sports 1 / MLS
Twitter capture: @TorontoFC
Comments