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MLS Toronto FC

Toronto FC (1) - D.C. United (3) Post Game Summary

November 7, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Toronto FC News Release


SCORING SUMMARY

DC - Steven Birnbaum 13' (Julian Gressel)

TOR - Richie Laryea 18' (Jonathan Osorio)

DC - Ola Kamara 30' (penalty kick)

DC - Ola Kamara 36' (Julian Gressel)

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

DC - Felipe Martins 65' (caution)

TOR - Dom Dwyer 74' (caution)

DC - Donovan Pines 76' (caution)

DC - Joseph Mora 85' (caution)

DC - Steven Birnbaum 90' (caution)

RECORDS (W-L-D)

Toronto FC 6-18-10 28 points

D.C. United 14-15-5 47 points

LINEUPS

TORONTO FC - Quentin Westberg; Richie Laryea, Chris Mavinga (Nick DeLeon 46'), Kemar Lawrence, Justin Morrow (C) (Patrick Mullins 90+1'); Michael Bradley, Jonathan Osorio, Alejandro Pozuelo, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (Noble Okello 46'), Ifunanyachi Achara (Jordan Perruzza 72'), Jozy Altidore (Dom Dwyer 46')

Substitutes Not Used: Kevin Silva, Julian Dunn, Luke Singh, Jayden Nelson

D.C. UNITED - Bill Hamid; Brendan Hines-Ike, Andy Najar (Chris Odoi-Atsem 46'), Steven Birnbaum (C); Julian Gressel (Donovan Pines 70'), Felipe Martins (Júnior Moreno 70'), Drew Skundrich, Joseph Mora; Paul Arriola (Adrien Perez 67'), Ola Kamara, Nigel Robertha (Ramón Ábila 85')

Substitutes Not Used: Jon Kempin, Tony Alfaro, Griffin Yow

MEDIA NOTES

Toronto FC finish the 2021 MLS regular season with a 6-10-18 record (28 points).

Toronto FC fail to qualify to the MLS Cup playoffs for only the second time in the past seven seasons.

Justin Morrow made his 207th and final MLS appearance for Toronto FC, only behind Jonathan Osorio (236) in Toronto FC's all-time MLS appearance leaders.

JAVIER PÉREZ - HEAD COACH, TORONTO FC

Q. Seemed like a lot of the games this season, early goal conceded, slack defending, inability to score, coming on late when it's a little late. What was your take on the season finale?

Yeah, my take is -- it's a game of two tales, the first half, where we are never in the game or think, and the second half, where we do more of what we are used to do or what we have been more effective this year. We took this game more like a test for the final, and we have a few things to try. Obviously in the first half, didn't go well and then in the second half, we went back into what we have been doing when we feel more comfortable and we feel like we were more in control of the game at the end. I think we have almost 20 percent of the possession but it comes down to, it's like you said, you made the point that it's three set pieces, two corners, penalty -- and you have no chances to get points.

Q. With Justin's final match, you did him a nice favor subbing him out late so he could get an ovation. What did you say to him as he came off the field and you hugged him before he went to the bench?

Yeah, I told him that it was an honor for me as a coach to have a player like him and being able to coach him during the season. I wished him the best of luck.

I think he's an example for a lot of players but as well the way he conducts himself for a lot of people like including myself. So it was just to communicate to him that it's been a pleasure and it's an honor to be his coach. So that was my message to him.

Q. Were you told anything before the game if Montréal didn't win and were eliminated from the playoffs whether your match against them for the final, when would that be?

No, absolutely not. As you know, I always approach the next game. So in my mind, it was only D.C. today. It was as I mentioned before, it was a test to into the final, especially because D.C. play the same formation as Montréal, the 5-2-3. We tried to change a little bit to do some things that didn't work out quite well in the first half and then in the second half we came back to what we usually do and we were good.

The only thing that it was at least in my mind, and the only message that I pass across to the team, it was the game against D.C. tonight.

Q. At the end of a difficult season, how important are those little moments with the fans?

That's a very good question. I think everybody knows that we play for our fans, our fans are the ones that they give us the energy, and today I think it was a difficult game. Especially when we saw fans in the stadium, and some of them, they were even here to welcome us to the stadium before the game.

And I think they were the ones giving us the energy in the second half. It was easy to give up in the game because it was -- we were losing 1-3 already. But I think the fans, they kept us in the game and I think everybody wanted to play for them.

It's very important for us that we have the support, we feel the support of them, and the players as well. The players they want to have the support of the fans and I think many times the fans don't realize how much of an impact they have on the players and the staff and the team as a group.

So it's been a pleasure to have the fans today in the stadium and hopefully we keep having everybody in the stadium pushing and pushing the team forward.

Q. The television broadcast said Chris Mavinga left the game at halftime because of a concussion-related problem. Can you clarify that? And also, the other two moves you made at halftime, was that just because you didn't think the attack was working?

I think, first of all, Chris, he was being examined by the doctor and they decided that it was a risk of concussion so there was no -- it wasn't necessary to risk his health, so at that point we made a decision that it was better to keep him out for safety.

Jozy was feeling, as well, his groin, so there's no point to lose Jozy for the final when we have him in this game, and then we made another sub just to give a little more clarity to the team and take a little bit more, like I said, a little bit more the shape that we felt more comfortable in the past few games.

So in the end, it was a couple of kind of forced substitutions, but in the end, we wanted to give more stability to the team and see if we could create more chances. I think we did. Definitely we were in control the second half, in the numbers, they proved that. 68 percent of possession, didn't capitalize on all the scoring opportunities, but we had our chances, as well to score a few goals.

Q. Can you tell us what's next? You don't know the date and the location of the Montréal game, but will you continue on training as normal? Will all the players remain in Toronto or will they be allowed to sort of leave and then come back? What is the plan?

No, everybody is staying here. I think at this point we will try to balance the rest and the training. But everybody is staying in Toronto. Everybody has to be ready for the final. And all that we have to do is regroup and regain our strength, our confidence, and be ready to fight for the Cup. I think tonight, it's not easy for us, but I think it's not easy for Montréal, either. They lost 2-0 at home, and I think it's a big hit in the confidence as well that they have been out of the playoffs.

I think both teams will be hungry, and at least on our side, we will be ready and preparing for that final.

JUSTIN MORROW - DEFENDER, TORONTO FC

Q. Justin, congratulations. It was great to see the ovation you received today and the reception from the fans. Can you just tell us your emotions tonight?

A little bit of everything. You know, mostly it's joy. I'm the only happy guy in the locker room today because it's been a tough season, but for me, I obviously have thoughts on my career and all the beautiful moments I've shared here, and to see the crowd here today and for them to show up and give us that meant a lot.

This club has just been my life for eight years, and they always go above and beyond and they did again today. Took care of my family and have a wonderful party for me and my friends and family and whatnot, it's just a really nice day.

Q. Congrats on a great career in Toronto, although you still have one game left. How did the atmosphere feel out there? The weather was nice for this time of year. Had a good crowd everything and else. You didn't get the result you wanted, but how did the atmosphere feel out there?

It was incredible. It was incredible. Everyone really showed up tonight. It felt like the old times out there in the second half, we were pushing the game, trying to get some shots on goal and trying to make something happened. It really felt like it always has. I felt that rarely since the pandemic.

So it was nice to go out like that. It's just unfortunate that we couldn't pull it out tonight and get the three points for everyone that showed up, but I really appreciate everything.

Q. Before the game on the scoreboard, the club ran a tribute video which had comments from your parent and your wife and your daughters, and others. What did that mean to you?

It was amazing. I was making jokes because when I saw it, I thought they were going to make me cry. I was giving them a hard time to get the water works out of me. It was nice to know that everyone who spoke on that video are lifelong friends. Those are the things that put a smile on your face about your career and the special teammates you had, the guys that you've been through hell with, and to come out the other side is a special bond that you forge.

Every single one of those guys I will check up on when I'm done playing. When I'm in their city, I'll meet up with them for coffee, and some special ones in there like Michael, Beta, our families hang out with each other. It's nice to hear from those guys and I can't wait to enjoy watching with them from the other side when some of them it's their turn, too. We have Wondo and Drew, those guys are going to play forever till their legs fall off. Love those guys and everyone on there was really special.

Q. We saw you do a little tour, can you speak to your connection with the fans and maybe what was like to see yourself in that form today?

It was a special one. It means a lot to me. I think we share that love and honestly they showed me that today, and you could tell that I really mean a lot to them and that's really special and something that won't be forgotten in this club, and that's all could I ask for.

Q. First I'd like to thank you for all that you've done here during your time in Toronto, congratulations on a wonderful career. I know you're a Cleveland guy, Browns won today, so go Browns.

Don't hold it against me.

Q. Over your time here, outside of the MLS Cup, what sort of enduring memory do you have of Toronto and your time here in Toronto?

Oh, man, it feels like phases. We were talking about it today, someone asked me what was my first Toronto FC -- it was against Seattle, scored two goals and we won, and it was a big turning moment for the club. Obviously we had some big moments that year but it didn't go exactly how we all wanted to. The club doubled down and they went out and got Tsuba, Jozy, Mitch for the first time in 2015, I remember Tsuba coming back and scoring that goal and the crowd going crazy -- knew that we had something good going on. Some more tweaks and brought in Beta, opened a new stadium, might be getting my years mixed up. That was the first time it felt like a real team that could accomplish something in 2016.

Big defining moment with Johnson scoring that goal and making the championship, breaking his leg. Went to MLS Cup that year. I had a really good year but we came up short and I missed the penalty kick in the final that. Was a big moment in my career. Dealing with something as heavy as that, but it just lit a fire in me and a fire in everyone else. Knew that we had a really good team, the best in the League and that's what spurred us on in 2017. We had the knives between our teeth the whole year and we wanted to show our quality because we had it, but also because the City deserved it. They wanted a champion for such a long time.

The club deserves it. They have always had the ambition. It was the first time they put it all together. And I remember all the games. I remember -- getting a hard time because of plays I remember more than anything

else in the whole world it sticks with you, and the good moments, the bad moment, I'll take it all with me.

Q. It was a nice gesture from Javier to take you off right before the final whistle there. What did that moment mean to you, getting off the pitch there and what did he say to you after?

He said -- I was happy -- I was pretty tired. You was trying to get in there and sneak in a goal. It was a special moment to be able to have that with this season that we had. Who knows who is going to be around next year, and saying good-bye in a positive way, that I'll never take for granted, and that moment is something that I'll remember forever walking off. It's time for the next generation.

In the off-season, decided to came back, gave as much as I could to the team but you've seen a lot of guys play for a long time here, and for me, it's time for our club to take the next step forward, and it's the new generation.

Q. I wouldn't expect you to announce what's next for you now because it's not the time but do you know yourself and when can we expect some sort of announcement as to what lies in the future?

I do know. I'm not ready to publicly announce it. I want to wait until after the season is over. But we've got a championship, we've got a final to play against our rivals, so everyone is focused on that and ready to get to work on it tonight. Obviously there's a bad taste in everybody's mouth, so we have one chance left to bring a positive out of a really tough season, so we are going to be fighting nail and teeth to be bringing home another championship and one last trophy.

It's special to have a moment like I did tonight and have it not be over and not be retirement. I have one more crack at it, whether I'm on the pitch or not, to know that we have two weeks to prepare for something, to come in and play a really meaningful game with something on the line to take something out of our season, what more could you ask for as a player.

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