Lifting the Supporters’ Shield would have been a nice boost for Toronto FC.
Not doing so doesn’t have to define their year.
The Reds sat second in the overall standings heading into their final game of the pandemic-shortened regular season on Decision Day in Major League Soccer — when matches in each conference kick off at the same time for added drama with playoff berths on the line. They were tied in points per game with the Philadelphia Union, but behind on goal differential.
Getting over that final hurdle to lift the Shield was something the Union, the most consistent team this season, had never done before.