Changing of the guard in Toronto FC goal happened without a ripple
TORONTO — It speaks volumes about Toronto FC’s smooth path this year that it made MLS history with a 69-point regular season while manoeuvring a changing of the guard in goal that barely made a headline.
Clint Irwin, the incumbent, was the Toronto ‘keeper during the penalty shootout loss to the Seattle Sounders in last December’s MLS Cup. And he was still No. 1 after training camp this year. But Alex Bono’s play eventually won the day.
When an injured Irwin had to leave Toronto’s home opener March 31, four games into the season, the door opened for Bono. The 23-year-old from Baldwinsville, N.Y., has played 29 of 32 games since, setting club records along the way and finishing tied for fourth in MLS goalkeeper of the year voting.
Bono, whose last name is pronounced a la Sonny Bono (Bow-no) rather than the rock star Bono, will be the last line of defence Tuesday when top-seeded Toronto opens the Eastern Conference final on the road against fifth-seeded Columbus.