Hello everyone and welcome back to what is the final update to my Toronto FC story and my MLS journey that began with Vancouver and will determine whether or not we were successful in our challenge for the North American Champions League. I’d won this trophy once before with Vancouver so it would be nice to win it again to finish off my club career before moving full time with Team Canada. Let’s see what happened…
March — May 2018
First off I had to waive some players in order to keep my squad below thirty players which included 3rd string keeper Ben Rowlands which brought my senior tally to 20 players – perfect. I did find a young GK from the waiver draft so in the end my squad settled at 28 players, good enough.
On to the action, and that meant our NACL Q/F match up with the Puerto Rico Islanders whom I totally underestimated and gave us a real hard time in the 1st leg at BMO field with David Di Placido breaking the deadlock after 36 minutes finishing off a David Morgan cross. It took us to the 90th minute to penetrate their stern defence once more with a powerful strike from young Russian forward Igor Andreev.
On the island the second leg was an unusual display in lack of discipline as we picked up 5 yellow cards which culminated in the sending off of Edwards Acevedo in the 65th minute. Fortunately we were already 3-1 up on the night after early goals from Cerna and Andreev in the 1st half followed by an own goal after the break so we were able to run down the clock without too any worries.
The semi-final draw matched us against America (Mex) who of course were in our group and provided stiff opposition…darn!
NACL Semi-Final 1st Leg: Aztec Stadium
A huge crowd of over 76,000 were on hand as we took the field in what seem to be an impossible task ahead to get a result in Mexico. America were in no mood to mess around and kept us in our own half for the first thirty minutes but some superb defending by Bianchi and Nordstrand ensured a clean sheet was kept until the interval by which time the game had deteriorated into a yellow card festival.
The second half we played with slightly more confidence and then got a huge break as America were reduced to 10 men following a heavy tackle on new signing Charles Aranguiz. The ensuing free kick by Cerna who was having a great game found the head of Gunnar Nordstrand….GOALLLLLLLLL! Against the odds we and the lead and 4 minutes later a breakaway by Aranguiz ended with a cross ball into the box for Cerna to smash home for goal number two. We held onto the lead for a huge second leg advantage. Unfortunately David Morgan picked up a knock and will be out for up to 5 weeks.
Opening day of the new MLS Season saw us at BMO Field where the home fans were treated to a stunning display by The Reds as we totally demolished New England. Two superb goals by both Rubio and Andreev were the highlights of a fantastic team performance.
Following that sensational start to the season was a two game road trip in which we brushed aside New York with Andreev and Rubio once again on the score-sheet and in Texas David DiPlacido was outstanding scoring a first half hat-trick in a 4-2 win. We did lose Nate Murphy to a torn calf muscle so he’s out for 5 months.
NACL Semi-Final 1st Leg: BMO Field
A cool and wet April evening greeted both Club America and the home fans with the weather playing an integral part in the lack of entertainment as we got locked into a midfield battle for most of the match. The only goal of the game coming from a corner headed in by Nordstrand and that would be enough to see us through to the final.
The NACL Final will see us take on Mexican side Tigres over two legs who we had faced in pre-season action back in February and won 3-0. So, just four games remaining at the helm of Toronto FC….
If there was ever a bad time to suddenly lose form this was it just days away from our NACL Final as we produced what can only be described as a sloppy effort as Philly enjoyed 61% possession in this 2-0 defeat. This also saw our 100% go as well.
(In reality I had already played this game in which we were winning 3-0 that saw a stunning second half hat-trick by DiPlacido – then the game froze during a late substitution and I had to exit the game and play it again)
North American Champions League Final 1st Leg
A packed BMO Field was sent into dreamland early on in the game as Cerna and Rubio linked up with Rubio driving the ball home from just outside the box with just 5 minutes on the clock. Three minutes later and there was wild scenes in the stands as a long searching ball by left back Calvo found the foot out DiPlacido who buried it in the corner of the net. Tigres fought back and created a goal soon afterwards but we continued to control the game with Cerna and DiPlacido missing great chances from close range. After the interval it was all about Tigres as the pendulum swung back in their favor culminating in the equalizing goal thirteen minutes from time given them the upper hand for the second leg.
Unbeknownst to the Toronto fans the visit of Seattle to BMO Field would be my last MLS game and it couldn’t have gone any better with a comfortable 2-0 win. We would however lose Guillermo Cerna to injury and he will miss the second leg of the NACL Final
North American Champions League Final 2nd Leg
We were off to Metropolitan Monterry in Mexico to take on Tigres who had fought back from 2-0 down to secure a draw from the 1st leg at BMO Field. They had looked a whole different team than the one we had played in pre-season.
The lads pressed forward from the kick off but got caught on the counter which ended in a brilliant save by GK Chris Seitz to avoid conceding a goal within 5 minutes. Twelve minutes gone and a through ball by Rubio created a shot for DiPlacido which was partly saved by the Tigres keeper and Verbeek quickly pounced on the ball and his tap in made it 1-0!! Tigres almost replied instantly with a cracking shot from distance that hit the woodwork. With the fans roaring them on Tigres set up a temporary base camp in our half but on the half hour mark a break by Acevedo ended with what looked like a very unassuming cross that was unexpectedly turned into the net by an unmarked David DiPlacido…2-0!!! Up until half time Seitz pulled off a series of heroic saves and Tigres hit the bar once more so by some miracle we still held a 2-0 lead.
The half time talk involved not getting complacent as Tigres had fought back at BMO Field. They came out like Mexican bandits with all guns blazing but couldn’t break through with Bianchi playing tremendously in the DMC role. We finally made some headway with Verbeek causing problems down the left and finally one of his runs produced a penalty which DiPlacdio converted…3-0!! Surely that was it and minutes later Tigres were reduced to 10 men following a vicious tackle on young David Rubio which further compounded Tigres’s problems. With adrenaline running high Acevedo managed to get himself sent off again with 10 minutes remaining which allowed for a consolation goal for the home side. We’d already done enough though and held on to possession to see out the clock for an astonishing victory to claim the Champions League Title.
For the second time in my MLS career I had taken a Canadian team to the NACL Final and had won it. Back in Toronto there were wild scene’s on Front Street as the fans poured out of the sports bars to celebrate the historic victory and partied long into the night.
The board of course were happy with the win too!
So, that was it, I had completed what I had set out to do with Toronto and on returning to Canada handed in my resignation so as to focus full time on the national team.
Financially I had left the club on a strong footing so my successor will have no worries on that score.
** Authors note**
I think it was Karl from my previous post who asked about posting my CV so I hope this is what you are looking for.
And that’s it for my MLS journey — we’ve reached the end of the road but not quite the end of the story as this save will continue on under a new title of Team Canada «See thee Rise» as I begin the quest of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
Thanks very much for taking the time to read this update and I look forward to your comments.
Victor Baluta
21 августа, 2012 at 11:38
Congratulations for winning the CL again with a Canadian team. It’s a very big performance for you because you were able to create to powerful teams in just one save. Now onto the national team, I think that this challenge is tougher but I hope you will be able to win the World Cup as soon as possible.
Can you post a screenshot with your position in the hall of fame?
Kevin
21 августа, 2012 at 12:38
Hi Victor
Thanks for your comment. I’ll add that screen shot to my next post for you. My goal for Canada is just to qualify for the World Cup, not actually to win it. :)
saltwater
21 августа, 2012 at 11:45
A fitting end to a brilliant chapter, I think. Well done on your Champions League success — now let’s hope Canada can can emulate their achievement (to some degree) :)
Kevin
21 августа, 2012 at 12:40
HI saltwater
It couldn’t have ended any better and such a big win too! Canada will be a lot harder for sure!
Johnny Karp
21 августа, 2012 at 13:18
«They came out like Mexican bandits» > :) Loved that bit! :) Congratulations on a very successful reign at Toronto FC Kevin, you did a brilliant job there. Best of luck with Canada, I’m sure you know that this part of the career will be a lot more difficult.
Kevin
21 августа, 2012 at 16:21
Thanks Johnny
I was hoping to end the domestic career on a high and it worked out perfectly despite some worrying moments. I’m not expecting much with Canada but just wanted to give it a go noentheless.
TheZiggy
21 августа, 2012 at 13:58
Congratulations on finishing your Toronto career by winning the NACL.
It will definitely be interesting to see just how far you can go with the Canadian team.
Kevin
21 августа, 2012 at 16:23
Thanks Ziggy
Canada will be a lot different for sure but an interesting challemge to se out FM 2012!
Almaars
21 августа, 2012 at 14:50
Congratulations, a very good last season. Good luck with the national team.
Kevin
21 августа, 2012 at 16:25
Hi Almaars
Thanks for leaving a comment — much appreciated!
Karl Deighton
21 августа, 2012 at 17:17
Hi Kevin,
Well done on winning the CL with Toronto, that must’ve felt great.
Cheers for the C.V, your record is phenomenal, 15 cups/leagues is brilliant. Now let’s hope you can lead Canada to the WC!
Kevin
21 августа, 2012 at 17:52
Hi Karl
Yes it was a great feeling simply because how well we played especially as we almost threw the first leg away. Keeping my fingers crossed for WC qualification!
pedro roriz
21 августа, 2012 at 18:28
hey man, nice finish! those cup wins surely add some sparks to your ending.
i’ve tried myself some solo lational careers but found them really boring.. after you play it, can you share with us your opinion on it? i think the game should be improved for managers that want to stick with the national side only.. you get really restricted to that everyday routine..
Kevin
21 августа, 2012 at 18:46
Hey Pedro
Thanks for your feedback. Of course I’ll share my thoughts on an international career.My intention is to close out FM 2012 with less game time which suits being a national head coach perfectly. Can do other things whilst the game processes :) All part of the plan my friend!
Darren Smith
21 августа, 2012 at 19:26
Fantastic end to your club career with the two Canadian sides Kevin…to win the NACL and dominate American football with two Canadian clubs is amazing and its hope you can enjoy some success on the International scene now.
Kevin
21 августа, 2012 at 20:09
Hi Darren
it was very nice to achieve a Canadian double in the NACL as it’s dominated by Mexico — hopefully we can have some success over them on an interantional level :)
Gaurav Chaddah
21 августа, 2012 at 19:52
Nice end to your reign of Toronto, good luck with Canada mate!
Kevin
21 августа, 2012 at 20:09
Thanks Gaurav
Appreciate you following along mate!
George Boris Dobson
21 августа, 2012 at 20:51
I have managed Canada before and its great fun until I was sacked but good luck.
Kevin
21 августа, 2012 at 23:20
Thanks George
Hopefully my reputation of winning 7 MLS titles will avoid that happening early :)
Ana Garcia
21 августа, 2012 at 21:06
The perfect end and who could ask for more than that! :)
I was worried after the NACL first leg, a 2-2 with Tigres knowing how good they can be but seems ill-discipline has cost them and the second leg looked like a comfortable victory.
You have definitely left the club in a terrific state and your new journey awaits, best of luck with Canada!!
Kevin
21 августа, 2012 at 23:23
Hi Ana
It did finish kind of nice :) I really thought we had blown it following the 2-2 but then the second leg was just amazing, far better than I expected. Toronto …and Vancouver are both set up nicely for other managers :)
Bhargav
22 августа, 2012 at 01:05
That was a great way to bow out! Congrats, Kevin! And good luck bringing the Canadians to the World Cup!
Kevin
22 августа, 2012 at 17:37
Thanks Bhargav
Looking forward to seeing how I fair with Canada…the last guy didn’t do so good.
Bhargav
22 августа, 2012 at 20:28
Are there other good North American nations besides the U.S. and Mexico?
Kevin
23 августа, 2012 at 01:16
Costa Rica and Jamaica from CONACAF maybe although they are not really N. American which is only the teams you mentioned plus Canada
Lye
22 августа, 2012 at 01:51
A great finish to the end of your NA career. Congratulations on the NACL triumph. You should be the first manager to win the NACL with two different clubs? Looking forward to the Canada job update. Good luck.
Kevin
22 августа, 2012 at 17:39
Hey Lye
Good point about winning the NACL with different clubs — I have no idea? Thanks for the well wishes.
vaibhavc
22 августа, 2012 at 09:58
Great way to end off with Toronto Kevin, great job! You did a fantastic job with them! I hope that you can continue this form with Canada.
Kevin
22 августа, 2012 at 17:41
Hi vaibhavc
Thanks very much and for your support all through this MLS journey!
CsAtlantis
22 августа, 2012 at 10:13
Congratulations on some brilliant wins in the NACL with your club claiming the scalp of some big Mexican clubs in America and Tigres
Good luck with the Canadian national team Kevin, good luck in the Gold Cup and World Cup qualification
Kevin
22 августа, 2012 at 17:42
Hi CsAtlantis
It was nice to beat two top quality Mexican sides particularly America as I had beaten them with Vancouver. I’m going to need all that luck with Canada — its a real challenge!
Robilaz
22 августа, 2012 at 13:22
I just qualified for the 2026 World Cup with Canada, having won the Gold Cup the previous year :)
Kevin
22 августа, 2012 at 17:38
Good for you buddy — I don’t even think I will get that far :)