The Reds became the first MLS side to eliminate two Liga MX teams in the same Champions League amid traversing 30,000 kilometres and featuring – sometimes at altitude – in temperatures ranging from -12C-35C.

They reached this final despite dealing with significant injuries to starters like Justin Morrow, Chris Mavinga and Victor Vazquez throughout this tournament. In truth, the Reds ran out of options.

“I’d venture to say in the history of this tournament no team has had a harder path to get to (the final),” Vanney said, adding TFC’s path, its victories, its upsets to get so far commands respect.

“We’d been talking about this opportunity – this one night, this one game for a long time,” Vanney finished.

There was talk in the build up to Wednesday night that TFC’s run would be for not if it didn’t back up performances with a title.

But one series, a goalkeeper error, a poor opening few moments against Chivas, a missed chance from Delgado, shouldn’t undo what the Reds accomplished here.

Not only has this run confirmed TFC’s unmatched MLS quality, it has made the CONCACAF Champions League a marquee event.

The excitement throughout the region leading up to Wednesday night should drown out the inevitable naysayers who will argue TFC’s run, for whatever reason, wasn’t special or didn’t matter.

“What kind of mentality is that?” Bradley responded pre-game. “That’s a loser mentality. If that’s the narrative, then that’s the narrative. I have so little to add to that conversation.

“As competitors you play what’s in front of you. You relish every moment to step on the field and compete and to try and win and take what you do and make sure it holds up in the toughest, biggest moments. You hope than more times than not you come out a winner, because that’s the ultimate.

“But when you’re a competitor and a winner you also understand there’s always a loser, too. That can’t scare you. That can’t stop you.”

It shouldn’t stop Toronto the city, TFC supporters or the North American soccer community from respecting what the Reds did in this tournament.

That pre-game feeling in Moor’s gut was there for a reason.

Only it wasn’t expectation.

It was pride.