As Toronto FC and Chivas de Guadalajara lined up to shake hands ahead of the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final at BMO Field on Tuesday night, captains Michael Bradley and Carlos Salcido stepped forward to a cloaked podium and unveiled the tournament’s new trophy.
Neither one touched the hardware as they pulled the black fabric off the brass-coated cup, adorned with silver and gold plate. They barely looked at it. With 180 minutes to be played, there was much work to be done before either side could lift it in celebration.
Toronto is hoping with a new trophy comes a new era.