When Columbus Crew SC visits Toronto FC on Friday in Major League Soccer regular-season action, the 2017 Trillium Cup series will be decided and one of the two sides will raise the first trophy of the season.
It's easy: win on Friday to win the Trillium Cup.
After splitting the season series — Columbus won 2-1 at MAPFRE Stadium on April 15 and Toronto won 2-1 on May 10 at MAPFRE Stadium — both sides are even on goals scored and goals allowed. Most importantly, the Eastern Conference rivals are even on series points through two matches with three apiece. The Trillium Cup is awarded to the team with the most head-to-head points in a single season (3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss) lifts the cup.
If even on points after Friday's match — or more simply put: if the 2017 Trillium Cup finale ends in a draw — tie-breakers would take effect.
TRILLIUM CUP TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURES
The team awarded the Trillium Cup will be the team with the greatest number of points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss) after conclusion of the regular season series between the two clubs. In the event that two teams finish the season series with an equal number of points, the following system will be used to break the tie:
The team with the greater goal difference (goals-for minus goals-against) in Trillium Cup matches shall be the winner.
[CURRENT |Crew SC: GF- 3, GA - 3, GD - 0 // Toronto FC: GF - 3, GA - 3, GD - 0]If still tied, it shall be the team scoring the greater number of total goals in Trillium Cup matches.
[CURRENT | Crew SC: Total Goals - 3 // Toronto FC: Total Goals - 3]If still tied, the procedures described in 1 and 2 shall be applied only to a per-game average of all Trillium Cup games played on the road.
[CURRENT |Crew SC: Away Goals Average - N/A // Toronto FC: Away Goals Average - 1.5]If still tied, the procedures described in 1 and 2 shall be applied only to a per-game average of all Trillium Cup games played at home.
[CURRENT |Crew SC: Home Goals Average - 1.5 // Toronto FC: Home Goals Average - N/A]If still tied, it shall be the team with the fewest combined team disciplinary points in Trillium Cup matches.
[CURRENT | Crew SC: 3 cautions // Toronto FC: 1 caution]If still tied, the team that is currently in possession of the Trillium Cup from the previous year retains it for another season.
[Toronto FC won the 2016 Trillium Cup]
The Black & Gold return to MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus to host the defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders on May 31.
