Back in the day, when Toronto FC was a brand-spankin’ new team, it developed a rivalry with, of all teams, the Columbus Crew. There was no rhyme or reason for it; if you look in the history books, there is no mention of the great Columbus/Toronto war.

And this is exactly what MLS needs. It needs Toronto FC to be the foil. That’s the thing with MLS. With central control of contracts, with all franchises trotted out in Adidas gear, it’s always had the feel of a bunch of branch plants playing each other. What MLS needs is a New York Yankees, a Manchester United, a New England Patriots or Dallas Cowboys, a super-team that, outside of its fan base, is absolutely loathed.

To say that the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinal was an ugly affair would be an insult to the word ugly. No, it wasn’t quite 2016 MLS Cup bad in terms of anti-football, but it definitely made you wonder why you weren’t spending Tuesday evening watching The Flash, instead.

In the game, though, both players continued what has been a troubling pattern with Toronto FC this season. In the first half, after not getting a call, Giovinco came at Penso from behind and grabbed the referee by both shoulders in attempt to spin him around and yell in his face. And he got nothing for it. Penso took it.

Toronto’s playoff campaign began Monday in New York, er, New Jersey – and the Reds did not show indications that they would become just another historical footnote.

Well, that’s it. With the NASL regular season coming to a close this past weekend, we’re now at the final instalment of the Power Rankings for 2017.

Now, to USL. We stopped ranking minutes last week when the league’s regular season came to a halt. But, in the opening round of the playoffs, Canadian (and former TFC Academy) goalkeeper Darrin MacLeod shone for Swope Park Rangers.

Congratulate Ottawa Fury keeper Callum Irving for finishing as the top Canadian minute-getter in USL this season.

Trust me. I’m Canadian. And, as a Canadian, I know all about missing World Cups.

MLS has just two who have passed 2,000; Cyle Larin and Will Johnson from Orlando City. Drew Beckie from Jacksonville is the only Canadian NASL player to push through the 2,000-minute barrier. In USL, there are six — Callum Irving, Mastanabal Kacher, Ryan James, Mallan Roberts, Ryan Telfer and Jordan Murrell.