TORONTO — Jozy Altidore scored in the 60th minute and Toronto FC advanced to the MLS Cup final for the second straight year with a 1-0 victory over the Crew SC in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final.
The loss leaves Crew fans with little to comfort them through a winter of discontent during which they can do little but watch as city leaders try to convince owner Anthony Precourt from moving the team to Austin, Texas, after the 2018 season.
In a letter to the league and Precourt, Mayor sndrew Ginther and Columbus Partnership CEO pitched new locations for the team’s home stadium, including Berliner Park, Dodge Recreation Center, a third on the present site of the Crew’s MAPFRE Stadoum, adjacent to a “destination entertainment district,” and another in a “stadium central” area in Arena District, as well as three ownership scenarios, including “Green Bay Packers-style” shared ownership with the community.
Toronto will host the Seattle Sounders or Houston Dynamo in the Dec. 9 MLS Cup final.
The Sounders, who took the title from Toronto in a penalty shootout last year, lead the Western Conference final 2-0 going into Game 2 in Seattle on Thursday night.