SoccerToronto FC needs urgent upgrade

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It was a landmark day in Canadian soccer. For the first time in MLS history, Canadian coaches were in charge of both teams. Pity a few for more Canadian fans didn't bother to show up.

Nick Dasovic and Frank Yallop were once teammates on the Canadian national team. Yallop earned 52 caps while the last of Dasovic's 63 appearances, at the age of 35, coincided with Yallop's first game in charge of the national team early in 2004.

Fate threw them together, in opposition for the first time, in Toronto. Yallop is trying to take the San Jose Earthquakes where he took them nearly a decade ago. Dasovic is trying to prove he is the man to lead Toronto FC, if not to the playoffs this year, at least to a period of stability.

Between them they produced an entertaining spectacle. Plenty of goals, a hat trick hero and a hugely impressive performance from a designated player. So with all the attractions on offer, on a must-win day for the home team, why all the empty seats?

How silly of me - I forgot. Those were the seats, bought and paid for by season ticket holders, for whom the season is clearly over. Those are the same seats which will cost the incumbents significantly more should they choose to renew next year.

It would appear many are undecided. According to the official match report, the attendance was a little over 20,000. From my vantage point, that figure was more than a little inflated. The tickets may have been 'sold' but the patrons stayed away.

It's hard to tell if the no-shows were genuine soccer fans or fairweather supporters who have had their fill of the game day 'experience' at BMO Field. One thing is clear - followers of the franchise, who have invested their time and money, are feeling used and abused.

Fans want results, improvement

The men at the top argue there are more games next year. They also argue it is the most basic rule of economics - one of supply and demand. They are probably right on both counts but, after another season of underachievement, it should not be about the numbers.

It should be about truly valuing the paying customers and appreciating their loyalty. If the suits at MLSE thought firing the previous regime would soften up the fans for the price hike, I believe they have seriously misjudged the overall mood.

Ironically, it's not about the money. The true fans would happily budget for the increase if they believed the team was actually getting better. They want to see progress on the field. They want to see consistency on the roster and on the bench.

They want their designated players to deliver; to earn their extravagant salaries. Geovanni produced a Brazilian master class for San Jose. Mista missed an open goal for Toronto FC while Julian de Guzman, not for the first time, flattered to deceive.

The star of the show earns less than $50,000 US. Chris Wondolowski is a former teammate of Dwayne De Rosario. When 'DeRo' won back-to-back MLS Cups with Houston in 2006 and 2007, Wondo sat on the sidelines as an unused substitute.

Wondolowski's effort against TFC was as complete a performance in this league as I can recall. The well-taken hat trick apart, he was always on the move, keen to be involved, and did more than his fair share of defending the lead he had built.

Unhappy franchise player

One more thing about Wondolowski - he enjoyed his work. He played with a smile on his face. Easy, perhaps, when you have a good day at the office, but it seems to me a modest salary was the last thing on his mind. Clearly that wasn't the case with his ex-Dynamo teammate.

De Rosario is a star in MLS. He has been for many years and is compensated accordingly. But he is paid according to North American soccer standards not those who have commanded higher European wages. His goal 'celebration' was as understandable as it was selfish.

He desperately wants to help the franchise reach new heights and his goals can aid that dream. De Rosario chose to send a very public message to his paymasters. But just what sort of message was he sending to de Guzman and Mista? The gesture is hardly likely to promote dressing room harmony.

Dasovic has bided his time and worked his way up. He has made it clear he wants a chance to coach Toronto FC for the foreseeable future. That decision must be taken on the basis of results alone. To achieve them, his man management skills will be pivotal.

He has limited coaching experience, but that may be irrelevant. If Dasovic cannot command the respect of his players, or more importantly, they don't respect one another, he cannot make it work however competent he may be on the training ground.

Those who choose to renew for 2011 have every right to demand an upgrade to accompany their more expensive seats. They're not paying for another version of the expansion team.

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