Toronto dethrone the MLS Champs, Atlanta United

Toronto FC goes into Mercedes-Benz Stadium and shocks Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference Final to advance the MLS Cup final. They have earned the right to play against the Seattle Sounders and set up a rubber-match in what would be their third meeting in the MLS Cup Final in the last four years. After being down 1-0 as early as the 7th minute of the game, Toronto stormed back to win 2-1 with a stunning strike from Nick DeLeon and never looked back. 

Atlanta came into this game heavy favorites to advance to their second consecutive MLS Cup Final and it looked to be the case early on. Julian Gressel opened the scoring in the 4th minute; Atlanta would catch the Toronto backline sleeping as Gonzalo Martinez went through on goal and set up Gressel for an easy tap in.

It would go from bad to worse for Toronto as Michael Brady took down Gonzalo Martinez in the box conceding a penalty. Venezuelan super star Josef Martinez would get the opportunity to double the home side’s advantage. Toronto’s Quentin Westberg had other plans as the keeper saved the penalty shot, keeping the Canadians in the game.

Toronto would take advantage, however, as only ten minutes later Nicolas Benezet equalized in the 14th minute. Benezet would beat Brad Guzan with a curling effort from the edge of the box. It was game on. 

Atlanta would push to get the lead in the second half. Chance after chance would be missed by the MLS champs and it would be Toronto who would snatch the lead. Nick DeLeon would blast the shot heard around the world in the 78th minute, beating Brad Guzan from distance. 

After taking a 2-1, Toronto would bunker down in the late gaps of the game and see the result advancing to the MLS Cup Final to face the Seattle Sounders on November 10th.