Toronto FC 4, Ottawa Fury 0 | 2017 Canadian Championship Match Recap

James Grossi

TORONTO – After a nervous start, Toronto FC overcame a first-leg deficit to defeat Ottawa Fury FC 4-0 on Wednesday night at BMO Field. TFC progress to the final of the 2017 Canadian Championship via an aggregate score of 5-2.

With halftime approaching, following a nervous start, TFC grabbed the opening goal in the 41st minute when Fury defender Eddie Edward turned the ball into his own net from a Tsubasa Endoh cross. A minute later, Endoh doubled the home side's advantage, getting on the end of a Victor Vazquez cross from the left, guiding a header past Ottawa goalkeeper Callum Irving. Sebastian Giovinco entered the fray at halftime, but it was Marky Delgado, another second-half sub, who would add the third come the 80th minute. Giovinco, however, would get his goal come the 85th minute, sealing the result.

The stage is now set for an epic encounter, recalling last season's Eastern Conference Championship, as Toronto will now face the Montreal Impact in the final for the right to hoist the Voyageurs Cup; the two legs are scheduled for June 21 in Montreal and June 27 in Toronto.

Youth, experience team up to ensure TFC's passage to Canadian Championship final

Goals

41' – TOR – Eddie Edward (OG)
42' – TOR – Tsubasa Endoh
80' – TOR – Marky Delgado
85' – TOR – Sebastian Giovinco

Three Things

DISJOINTED PLAY, JANGLED NERVES: Attacking the South End of BMO Field, with the home fans urging them forward, the first 40 minutes were not the best that TFC has mustered this season. An eleven that had rarely played together looked the part, failing to connect and unable to break through a calm and well-organized Fury FC side. As such, the fans on hand at BMO Field were feeling the pressure, muted whispers fretting the possibility of a humbling at the hands of a USL side.
WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS: But then, following an injury to Tosaint Ricketts, who was replaced by Steven Beitashour, TFC would overturn the first leg deficit when Eddie Edward had bobbled his attempted clearance of an Endoh ball and touched into his own net. Mere seconds later, Endoh would rise up to flick a Victor Vazquez ball beyond the reach of Irving to double TFC's lead on the night and put them squarely in the driver's seat.
SEBA RETURNS: Contending with a quad strain, though adamant he was ready to go, Giovinco made his return to the pitch against Ottawa, his first minutes since exiting before halftime against Minnesota United on May 13. The Italian replaced Jordan Hamilton at halftime, and looked a threat immediately, though he was forced to wait until the 85th minute to finally find his much-desired goal, stroking a finish past the Ottawa 'keeper after Vazquez found him in space between defenders.