CBC Sports Online's soccer expert, John Molinaro, takes you inside the world of soccer and offers his insights about the action on the pitch and in the front office.
Still no goals, but Toronto FC is a hit
Comments (16)
Monday, April 30, 2007 | 10:08 AM ET
Toronto FC is still looking for its first win and first goal in franchise history following its 1-0 loss to the Kansas City Wizards Saturday in the club's home opener.
The real story from Saturday's game, though, was not that the club was shut out for the fourth time to start the season, but instead the electric and festive atmosphere created by the 20,148 fans who packed BMO Field.
Anyone who thought Toronto would not support a Major League Soccer franchise – and I must confess that I had my doubts – had to have been impressed by the amazing pageantry of songs, chants, scarves waiving in the air, and drums hammering out a rhythmic beat from the terraces.
BMO Field was a cauldron of hysteria – even the Kansas City players admitted they felt intimidated – and the atmosphere inside the stadium made hardened European soccer snobs (of which I am a chartered member) realize that the ambience of a Premiership or Serie A game can, in fact, be reproduced on this side of the Atlantic.
Toronto fans also made a lasting impression on MLS commissioner Don Garber.
"We don't have too many stadiums that rock like this one. We don't have too many teams who have supporters groups that fill an entire end-zone. ... That's a pretty electric environment out there," Graber told reporters in the press box at halftime.
Toronto coach Mo Johnston was also overwhelmed with the support, saying he "felt [the] fans we're like a 12th man," sentiments that were echoed by midfielder Ronnie O'Brien.
"The fans today were amazing. All the players, including the Kansas City players, were talking about it," the Irishman told CBC Sports Online after the game. "I've been in this league a few years now and it's not often you get a moment where the hairs on the back of your neck stand up."
Indeed. At times during the game I felt as though I was at Rome's Stadio Olimpico watching the derby between Lazio and Roma and not sitting in a press box in Toronto. And when the fans began singing, with great wit and humour, "All we are saying is give us a goal," I could have sworn I was standing in the Kop at Anfield.
For 90 minutes on Saturday, anyone could have easily mistaken BMO Field for the San Siro, or La Bombonera, or Celtic Park, or Old Trafford. And that’s what will keep the fans coming back: the club’s ability to duplicate the experience of watching a big European game, even if the product on the field isn’t anywhere near that level.
Last month in this space, I said it was premature to call Toronto FC an unmitigated success, as some had in light of the club's record season ticket sales.
"Toronto sports fans are a fickle bunch – they’ll only support a winning team and will only attend games if it ’s a first-rate quality product," I wrote.
Toronto FC won't have a winning team this year. Far from it.
But even though the club will continue to lose and MLS isn't quite the Premiership or Serie A, Toronto FC will be one of the best supported teams in the city, if this past Saturday was any indication.
Big-time soccer has arrived in Toronto. Take note.
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John F. Molinaro is a reporter for CBC Sport Online whose chief love is international soccer. John served as senior editor of Sports Online's Euro 2004 website, which helped him win a CBC.ca Award of Excellence, and was the driving force behind our coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He holds an honours BA in sociology from York University and a print journalism diploma from Sheridan College, and is also the author of The Top 100 Pro Wrestlers of All Time (Stewart House, 2002).
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Comments (16)
M. McNally
Toronto
"Toronto sports fans are a fickle bunch – they’ll only support a winning team and will only attend games if it ’s a first-rate quality product," I wrote.
You wrote wrong...as long as there are countless young and naive bums to fill those seats at Air Canada Centre, your theory can never be proven.
Toronto fans won't let a 40 year losing franchise get in the way of their undying support for a money-making juggernaut.
Posted April 30, 2007 11:34 AM
A.Moore
Etobicoke
"Toronto sports fans are a fickle bunch..."
The reason why this is incorrect is because
Toronto sports fans are the exact opposite.
They are some of the most loyal supporters
of their teams win or lose. That's what makes
us unique. I think our motto as TFC fans or
Leaf/Raptors/Blue Jays/Argos fans should be
this We Don't Care what people say, Toronto
Rocks Anyway!
Posted April 30, 2007 02:05 PM
steven
even though my heart lies with Liverpool FC, Toronto FC will now have a special little place in my heart .. can't wait to make it to my first game this summer ..
"TOR-ONTO, TOR-ONTO!
WHAT EVER WILL BE, WILL BE!
JUST SCORE ONE FOOOOOR ME!
TOR-ONTO FCCCCCCCC!"
Posted April 30, 2007 03:41 PM
Jon
Calgary
I wasn't able to be at the game but i think that is great that fans came out to support TFC! Keep up the good work Torontonians! It will immensely help to build soccer in Canada! While TFC may not have won, with such support glory is around the corner! TFC TFC!!!!!
Cheers
Posted April 30, 2007 07:16 PM
Dougie
Toronto
As a season ticket holder, and one of the first to lay my money down, April 28th had been circled on the calendar for more than a year. It was a nervous day, for a number of reasons. Mostly, because I had hoped so much that we would win our first game, but more than that, I wished for us to score our first goal. Neither came to fruition, however, what was a ringing success was the fan support, and the excitement of the day. I am guardedly optimistic, however, because I am still wary of fairweather fans. We have yet to see exactly how many people bought their tickets for the sole purpose of watching Beckham, and as such, really need to see what sort of season ticket sales will be generated for next year. In the mean time it has been a success. As long as us fans don't become disillusioned by the losing (which will continue for the better part of the season), then at least this season will be a sucessful one. And, the reward for the fans that stick with TFC, will come. It may be down the road, too far for us to see right now, but it will come.
Posted May 1, 2007 09:13 AM
Sones
Barrhaven
I thought Toronto FC were the Argo's. Shouldn't they be called Toronto SC?
Posted May 1, 2007 11:05 AM
BigShow
MONTREAL
I really don't care about Toronto FC....GREG SUTTON come back to the Impact!
Posted May 1, 2007 11:40 AM
Niko
montreal
Who cares about Toronto FC. Go Impact Go.
Posted May 1, 2007 11:11 PM
Homer
Toronto
I don't know if I would compare the atmosphere to a European game, however by MLS standards the atmopsphere was electric. Most other MLS teams do not seem to be able to fill the stadiums on a regular basis.
I think if Toronto can maintain capacity crowds in the long run TFC will eventually become one of the richest and as a result one of the dominant teams in the league.
Right now the team is made up of mostly third stringers that other teams released, we only have about 5-6 competitve players. With the money rolling in they will eventually be able to buy decent players and become competitive.
For now a goal would be nice, I predict we'll get one against Columbus in three weeks!!! lol
Posted May 2, 2007 08:52 AM
Darryl
Toronto
I am a supporter, and season ticket holder for The Toronto FC, and must admit that I have noticed the slightest hints of improvements in their gameplay, over the last four games, although understandably things will get worse before better, as Mo has to tinker with the squad formations to see which players gel together for pairings up front, and in the midfield. After watching all the games thus far, I believe the biggest problem is that nobody has the guts to take the stick for a missed shot on goal. But without shots on goal, you are never going to score. Everytime TFC is in a threatening position, the squad play "Hot Potatoe" and pass the ball off, rather to take the shot, and the chances are wasted. The supporters wouldn't care if Edu kicked a cross in, off the volley, into the stands. He probably would get cheered on for the attempt.
In closing I just want to wish Mo, and the TFC squad all the best this season.
Posted May 2, 2007 01:52 PM
Jimmi
I am a season ticket holder, and a big Toronto F.C. fan. I was at the opening game in the supporters section behind the net. It was electric. I have been to England watching a league one match, Mexico watching Cruz Azul and to Chile to watch a number of games, most important Maradona with Boca Jrs. in a Copa Libertadores match. But I have never experience the atmosphere like that of Saturdays game.
We as soccer fans and as Canadians need to have faith!
GO TFC, GO TFC GO.
P.S. Eddie Johnson SUCKS!
Posted May 3, 2007 03:01 PM
Domenic P
Toronto
Go Toronto FC Go! This is a Football town and no I don't mean soccer, I mean Football. Toronto is a multi-cultural world class city with a love for Football and finally we now have a team of our own to support. Inter .
Posted May 8, 2007 10:38 AM
steven
canaduh
"DAAAAAVID NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR HAIR
NORTH OF THE BORDERRRR
WE GOT FREE HEALTH CARRRRREEEE!
TOR-ONTO FC
THE ONLY ONE FOR ME
COME UP HERE AND
FORGET THE GALAXXXXXXXY"
a little ditty for when Mr. Beckham comes to town ..
Posted May 9, 2007 08:59 PM
cwithy
vancouver
"If the game is lost, your earthly life is wasted" - Ibsen. Now let's have Montreal and Vancouver in this league.
Posted May 10, 2007 03:49 PM
charles o
now we have pro football team (not american football)TFC now we lack home rivary.football is about rivary thats what brings fans .
Posted May 12, 2007 12:43 PM
D. Straker
Winnipeg
I agree with cwithy saying that we need Vancouver and Montreal in the League as well. This means that more Canadian players will have a chance a higher level of football.
I wish Toronto FC the best.
Posted June 10, 2007 05:33 PM