Toronto FC's Win Over the Columbus Crew Means Historic Moment

Saturday night's 3-2 loss to Toronto FC was more than just another defeat for the Columbus Crew in the 2014 season. It marked the third win of the year for the Reds over the Black and Gold, a season sweep.

For Toronto, this was a historic night. They swept the Crew for the first time in their team history, after a 2-0 victory in Columbus and another, 3-2 in Toronto, while officially capturing the Trillium Cup - the trophy awarded to the winner of the series each year - for only the second time.

"I think we underachieved and that's disappointing," Columbus goalkeeper Steve Clark said after the game.

Fans of the Crew can safely say this team has underachieved against their rivals from Canada all season. Since TFC's entrance to the league in 2007, Toronto had only beaten the Crew twice and managed just one win in Columbus Crew Stadium.

The Columbus faithful became accustomed to seeing their team get results over the Reds. After a home draw in the first ever game, the Black and Gold won the next three games of the series.

The Trillium Cup began in 2008 with a 2-0 Crew win, who went on to win the first version of the trophy with a 1-0-2 record on the year.

It wasn't until 2011 that Toronto captured their first series win over the Black and Gold. This was also the year the Reds earned their first ever victory over the Crew with a 4-2 win in Canada.

2012 saw the return of the three game series between the foes, after only two games each of the two previous years. It also marked a return to dominance for Columbus, who won all three meetings with TFC.

Despite a disappointing season for the Black and Gold in 2013, and Toronto earning their second win all time, the Crew retained the trophy until this year.

In 2014, Toronto won twice in Ohio's capital city and increased their win total against the Crew to five.

Many have called this season a rebuilding year for the Black and Gold, but head coach Gregg Berhalter was disappointed his team let this game get away.

"It hurts," Berhalter said after the game. "Obviously, to lose three games to any team out of three contests, it hurts. We had intentions to go out there and try and win the game.

"When you have guys, in a game like this, with a chance to get back at them and chance to climb the table, and then have four or five guys have bad performances, it's not good and I'm disappointed in that."

The Crew will have to wait until 2015 to get their revenge unless the two teams meet in the MLS Cup playoffs. While Toronto sits in good position to qualify for the post season tournament after their win in Columbus - currently in third in the Eastern Conference - the Black and Gold have some work to do to secure a spot.

With the Reds sweeping Columbus this season, the rivalry now has some bite it has lacked over the years. This won't make Berhalter, his players, or fans happy, but it might create more intense battles in the years to come.