John Herdman's Statements After Losing the Canadian Championship Final

In this 2024 Canadian Championship final, we saw a fiercely competitive match, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for Toronto FC to take home the title.

The game was not lost in the 90 minutes but in the penalty shootout. Toronto FC failed to be effective during regular time, which forced them into penalties against Vancouver FC. In the shootout, the team crumbled under pressure, with several players unable to handle the stress, ultimately leading to a painful defeat.

John Herdman's Candid Post-Match Comments

In a very difficult moment for Toronto FC, John Herdman spoke about the Vancouver FC coach, Sartini, who personally approached him after the game. Sartini was quite honest in his comments on how the match unfolded. He, like the spectators, acknowledged the great performance Toronto FC put in during the 90 minutes, highlighting just how competitive the game was.

"He’s just a top guy, top guy, He said ‘you guys deserved it tonight.’ I mean, he was honest. That’s all you want from a coach. He was honest enough to say that."
John Herdman

John Herdman expressed his disappointment at not being able to capitalize on the opportunities his team created. Both Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi had exceptional performances, yet they were unable to secure the result, which was very disheartening for the whole team.

"I thought we performed well enough to get a result in 90 minutes. Unfortunately weren’t able to take the chances we had and we put ourselves in that hole, which is penalties. I’m proud of the lads, but at the same time, absolutely gutted. I felt like the trophy was closer to Toronto tonight. Sad for the lads."
John Herdman

Despite the defeat, Herdman remains incredibly proud of his squad and believes that the competitiveness shown by this group promises a bright future.

He concluded by stating that the team must now focus on the MLS, where they face a crucial and challenging match against Chicago Fire. Toronto FC needs a victory in this upcoming match if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive.