Former Toronto FC skipper Jim Brennan returns to BMO Field with York United FC

Still, he expects TFC to come out hard, given its need for success in something this season.

“They need this for their season now. This is what they’ve got left … They’re going to be coming at us and it definitely won’t be an easy match at all. I expect them to come out guns ablazing.”

York (6-5-8) currently stands fourth in the CPL, is unbeaten in its last five league games (2-0-3) and has lost just once in its last 10 outings (4-1-5).

The game is one of three Canadian Championship quarterfinals Wednesday.

Defending CPL champion Forge FC has already advanced to the semifinals having beaten Valour FC 2-1 last Wednesday. The Hamilton-based club will play either CF Montreal or HFX Wanderers FC, who play at Wanderers Ground.

The Toronto-York winner will face either Cavalry FC or Pacific FC, who meet at ATCO Field.

York United defeated League 1 Ontario’s FA Masters FA 5-0 in preliminary-round play. Toronto had a bye to the quarterfinals.

Toronto has won the Canadian Championship seven times, most recently in 2018 when it hoisted the Voyageurs Cup for the third straight year. Montreal is the defending champion.

Brennan won the tournament four times with Toronto FC. In 2009, as a player he helped Toronto to a 6-1 win in Montreal in the final game of the tournament, then a round-robin affair, taking the title on goal difference over Vancouver.

He also won it as an assistant GM and assistant coach.

“It’s a great competition and obviously it’s getting bigger and bigger every year and even more hard to win,” said Brennan. “For these young guys, getting their first taste of the Canadian Championship, it’s a great opportunity. And look you never know what’s going to happen on any given day.”

Pacific FC has already shown that, knocking out the Vancouver Whitecaps by a 4-3 score in the preliminary round.

Brennan, a feisty fullback/winger as a player, made 84 appearances for TFC before moving upstairs to the front office in April 2010. He says he’s looking forward to returning to BMO Field.

“It’s not so much for me but watching our players perform on a big stage, a fantastic ground, and against a good team,” he explained. “So that’s what I’m really looking forward to, is seeing how our players embrace the occasion.”

He says the key thing for his squad is to control their emotions and not let the moment get to them.

Brennan noted many of his players grew up in the Toronto area supporting TFC. York winger Michael Petrasso was once a member of the TFC academy.

But Brennan played down the Toronto derby angle.

“I’m a firm believer (that) derbies take a while to develop. This is our first game against them.”

Brennan, now 44, left his Newmarket, Ont., home as a teenager to pursue his soccer career.

His original destination was Glasgow Celtic but the manager got fired on the eve of his arrival, ending the Scottish powerhouse’s interest. Brennan found himself headed to Bristol City instead, kicking off a distinguished pro career that also took him to Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield Town, Norwich City, Southampton and finally Toronto FC.

A member of the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame, Brennan won 49 caps for Canada and was a member of its winning Gold Cup squad in 2000.

Former Toronto FC skipper Jim Brennan returns to BMO Field with York United FC

Our Community