Atlético Ottawa pulled off a significant upset in the Canadian Championship, defeating Toronto FC 3-1 to eliminate the MLS team from the tournament. After opening with a goal from TFC's DeAndre Kerr, Ottawa responded with three unanswered goals from Ballou Tabla in the second half. This victory is Ottawa’s first over an MLS team in the championship, and it sets them up for a quarterfinal matchup against either FC Supra du Quebec or Woodbridge Strikers. Toronto FC, plagued by injuries, utilized young talent and announced new short-term signings ahead of the match.

By the Numbers
  • Atlético Ottawa scored three goals in the second half, all by Ballou Tabla.
  • This was only Toronto FC's second loss to a CPL club in Canadian Championship history.
Yes, But

Toronto FC's decision to field a younger lineup and sign short-term players highlighted their struggles with injuries and performance inconsistency. Critics may argue that relying on inexperienced players contributed to their defeat.

State of Play
  • Ottawa awaits the winner of the matchup between FC Supra du Quebec and Woodbridge Strikers in the quarterfinals scheduled for July.
  • This loss marks a setback for TFC, which has not won the championship since 2020 and is looking to rebound from a challenging season.
What's Next

Looking ahead, Atletico Ottawa aims to continue their strong performance into the quarterfinals, while Toronto FC will need to regroup and focus on their league performance with critical matches approaching.

Bottom Line

This upset demonstrates the unpredictability of knockout tournaments and highlights the challenges faced by established teams like Toronto FC when dealing with injuries. Ottawa’s breakthrough victory could mark a turning point in their pursuit of the Voyageurs Cup.