TORONTO – When it came to the 2017 MLS Cup final, the culmination of a historic treble-winning and record-breaking season, Toronto FC had a little bit of extra fortune on their side.
On the Thursday ahead of the match, Sebastian Giovinco took a cue from Canadian folklore, employing a lucky loonie to ensure that TFC defeated the Seattle Sounders last Saturday at BMO Field.
“It wasn't my idea,” said Giovinco on Tuesday on locker clean out day at the Kia Training Ground. “They asked me if I want to do this kind of good luck and I said, 'Yeah, of course.' For a win, I do everything.”
Giovinco would only reveal that “some friends” made the recommendation.
The tradition goes back to the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics where a member of the ice crew, overseeing the rink where the hockey events were to be held, secretly planted a Canadian dollar coin, a “loonie,” at center ice.
Both men's and women's Canadian teams went on to win gold medals at those games. A legend was born. The unnamed friends told Giovinco about the story, prompting the clandestine mission. Even his teammates were unaware.
“I didn't know,” said Jonathan Osorio. “I've seen the pictures. That's pretty cool.”
As for the fate of the lucky coin, according to Giovinco, “It's still there.”
And of course, the fact that he stepped on what seemed to be the very spot it was planted seconds before receiving the ball from Victor Vazquez and turning to play the pass that led to Jozy Altidore's game-winning goal in the 67th minute is sheer coincidence.
Since 2002, the legend has been invoked several times. Not always successfully.
Told of this potential hiccup, Giovinco only laughed: “It worked, believe me.”
