SoccerToronto FC remains in the danger zone

Beginning of Story Content

It is a time to reconnect, catch up, reflect and share the joy of a simple family gathering. It is also a time for battle to commence.

The Reed Challenge Trophy, competed for annually between my two younger brothers and me, is quite possibly the most tacky golf trophy in existence, yet once a year it assumes the importance of the Holy Grail.

The plastic figurine is depicted completing his follow-through but, due to shoddy workmanship, his driver slips from his grasp whenever the trophy is moved. For this reason, the winner receives not only the trophy itself but also an accompanying rubber band to secure the loose club to the base of the statue for the following twelve months.

The 36-hole, two day competition is played in a respectful but highly competitive manner where ‘gimmes’ are rare and compliments rarer still. It is simply not done to revel in other’s misfortune but I am well aware my siblings shoot a knowing glance of approval at one another when I mishit an approach into a greenside bunker. They know, all too well, I could be in there a while.

It is fair to say the three of us are of a similar standard, thus each believes he has a good opportunity to not only take home the trophy but also earn a year’s worth of bragging rights. Essentially the winner is often he who makes fewest mistakes and demonstrates a sustainable mental focus throughout. In the final analysis, my game was too erratic for my own good and, despite a strong finish, I simply ran out of holes to catch my brother who edged home by two strokes.

My vacation is almost complete but I can never quite switch off, nor would I want to. I’ve been tracking the progress of Toronto FC from this side of the Atlantic and from what I can glean, their recent performances have shown more than a passing resemblance to my efforts on the golf course.

Familiar late wobbles have cost the Reds 5 points out of 6 at Columbus and New England and despite dominating possession against the Puerto Rico Islanders, the end product was lacking for the umpteenth time, costing Toronto FC a run in this year’s CONCACAF Champions League. At the risk of repeating myself, a team’s reputation is built on its ability to come through tough situations on a regular basis over a period of several years.

Toronto FC is a young franchise, still very much in its infancy and still making the mistakes one might associate with inexperience and naivety.

How come? It is a team packed with veterans who must know how to manage these games yet, as often as not, they come up short.

Failing to reach the group stages of the Champions League is a major blow for Canadian soccer in general. The Canadian Soccer Association needs to present a powerful case to CONCACAF for increased Canadian involvement in the competition. TFC needed to follow Montreal’s example and fly the flag to give the CSA that bargaining chip. Their early exit does nothing to help that cause and everything to perpetuate the regional belief that Canada is little more than a footballing backwater.

With the prospect of international competition no longer an option, Toronto FC must now focus its attention on the final third of the Major League Soccer season. With ten games to go, Chris Cummins’ team must find a way to eliminate the errors or the play-offs will also disappear from view.

Only four of those ten are home games and to make matters worse, five of the next seven are on the road and all against teams either currently holding, or close to grabbing, post season berths. By the time basement dwellers San Jose and New York roll around in October, Toronto’s fate may already be sealed.

Time and opportunities are beginning to stack up against TFC and, rather like my recent golf exploits, the self inflicted wounds are starting to swell up. Then again, nobody pays to watch me play golf.

End of Story Content

Back to accessibility links