Toronto FC

[Mr. Lucky]

Maybe most Terb members do not follow or even remember Toronto having a soccer team? but anyway just to be on the update Toronto FC made the semi finals in the 2012 Concacaf championship after defeating L.A. Galaxy 2-1 final. on March 6th Toronto hosted the Galaxy at the Rogers center with 48,000 fans in a 2-2 draw.

Toronto FC now have a tough match against Santos Laguna at BMO field 03/28/2012

then play Santos Laguna again in there home 04/04/2012

This is something I hope Toronto can win and at least prove to everyone they are strong and at least win something for Toronto!

 

[scouser1]

I am a huge soccer fan as can be attested by the numerous postings about the "beautiful game" but I cannot take this team seriously for a few reasons, first of all the ownership, I would rather eat broken glass than hand over hard earned money to MLSE, who seem to think soccer fans are idiots in this town, ohh let's bring in a well known European team to play a match here and gouge the prices way up. Second the league format, in Europe and elsewhere if you suck you will suffer by being demoted to a lower division not in MLS, there really are no real dire consequences for being crap. Also a league that still allows the use of artificial turf in this day and age, I took one glance at that Montreal Impact game on Saturday at the Big O of all places!!!! what is this 1975?? I am expecting an old Pele, Beckenbauer and Chinaglia to run on the field any second. Lastly it's the only league on the planet that doesnt sync it's calendar to the international one, for example when England play the Premier League takes the week off. But not MLS, they continue with the backup players, wasnt it one year TFC were so depleted because of World Cup qualifying that they actually had to use one of their scouts as a player???!!!!! And we are suppose to accept this as a real entity alongside the likes of the EPL, Serie A, La Liga and the Mongolian 3rd division?? no thanks.

 

[Insidious Von]

Torsten Frings is a player I've always admired. Notice that Germany hasn't made it to a final of an international trophy since he retired and they don't have a player like that now. FC is going to have a huge problem if he is injured for an extended period of time. Luckily there is a solution, Rino Gattuso is available on a free transfer at the end of the current season. He's already been to Toronto on several occasions and knows the city well. He may be too injured to continue playing in Serie A but he still has something give. If MLSE is serious about going to the playoffs, they must sign him.

 

[lovelatinas]

This a great achievement for TFC. That said they are going to get hammered by the Mexican side in Mexico.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Game day

Toronto FC vs. San jose at BMO field 1:00 PM on TSN.Yes I know the weather is shit. I wish it was Sunny again. Now TFC lost 3-0 !!

 

[thailover]

did u enjoy watching MINOR league soccer in cold weather

i would rather watch ECHL in alabama than watching this brand of low level soccer while feeding the banks of maple leaf shit and entertainment

 

[Don Draper]

Well...

I am a huge soccer fan as can be attested by the numerous postings about the "beautiful game" but I cannot take this team seriously for a few reasons, first of all the ownership, I would rather eat broken glass than hand over hard earned money to MLSE, who seem to think soccer fans are idiots in this town, ohh let's bring in a well known European team to play a match here and gouge the prices way up. Second the league format, in Europe and elsewhere if you suck you will suffer by being demoted to a lower division not in MLS, there really are no real dire consequences for being crap. Also a league that still allows the use of artificial turf in this day and age, I took one glance at that Montreal Impact game on Saturday at the Big O of all places!!!! what is this 1975?? I am expecting an old Pele, Beckenbauer and Chinaglia to run on the field any second. Lastly it's the only league on the planet that doesnt sync it's calendar to the international one, for example when England play the Premier League takes the week off. But not MLS, they continue with the backup players, wasnt it one year TFC were so depleted because of World Cup qualifying that they actually had to use one of their scouts as a player???!!!!! And we are suppose to accept this as a real entity alongside the likes of the EPL, Serie A, La Liga and the Mongolian 3rd division?? no thanks.

...this is she short and long of it, isn't it?

Well said, Scouser.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Toronto FC earns 1-1 tie against Santos Laguna in CONCACAF Champions League semifinal at BMO field.
Next Wednesday’s return leg in Torreon, Mexico. The Reds will have to win next week’s match or tie at least 2-2 to reach the final.

 

[trod]

I am a huge soccer fan as can be attested by the numerous postings about the "beautiful game" but I cannot take this team seriously for a few reasons, first of all the ownership, I would rather eat broken glass than hand over hard earned money to MLSE, who seem to think soccer fans are idiots in this town, ohh let's bring in a well known European team to play a match here and gouge the prices way up. Second the league format, in Europe and elsewhere if you suck you will suffer by being demoted to a lower division not in MLS, there really are no real dire consequences for being crap. Also a league that still allows the use of artificial turf in this day and age, I took one glance at that Montreal Impact game on Saturday at the Big O of all places!!!! what is this 1975?? I am expecting an old Pele, Beckenbauer and Chinaglia to run on the field any second. Lastly it's the only league on the planet that doesnt sync it's calendar to the international one, for example when England play the Premier League takes the week off. But not MLS, they continue with the backup players, wasnt it one year TFC were so depleted because of World Cup qualifying that they actually had to use one of their scouts as a player???!!!!! And we are suppose to accept this as a real entity alongside the likes of the EPL, Serie A, La Liga and the Mongolian 3rd division?? no thanks.

I can understand the frustrations of trying to watch MLS games when one is accustomed to the level of football in European leagues like EPL, La Liga, Seria A and not to mention the Champions League.

But, think about it from a business perspective. How do you get football ( soccer ) popular amongst Canadians ? It takes time. One can't just expect players of the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Xavi, to pop up here in the youth systems.

MLS is never going to eclipse the level of football in Europe because thats not what its goal is ( pardon the pun ). The point is to have enough exposure of the game to the youth and to have infrastructure created at the grassroots level for the next generations to showcase their talent develop as players. If they are exceptionally talented, they might end up in one of the European leagues. If they then develop into real world class players and get picked up by the top clubs, that gives you role models. Kids back home look up to these role models and aspire to be like them and take a deeper interest in the sport. Repeat the cycle. Of course, the youth players do have role models like the Messi, Zidane, etc but my point is to have a local player become a role model.

Once you have a cycle of role models, infrastructure, media exposure and money being invested properly, that will help bring the level of football up. Till then, be happy that there is a local team you can support.

I am sure there were similar discussions like these in Liverpool when its club was founded in the late 19th century.

 

[scouser1]

I can understand the frustrations of trying to watch MLS games when one is accustomed to the level of football in European leagues like EPL, La Liga, Seria A and not to mention the Champions League.

But, think about it from a business perspective. How do you get football ( soccer ) popular amongst Canadians ? It takes time. One can't just expect players of the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Xavi, to pop up here in the youth systems.

MLS is never going to eclipse the level of football in Europe because thats not what its goal is ( pardon the pun ). The point is to have enough exposure of the game to the youth and to have infrastructure created at the grassroots level for the next generations to showcase their talent develop as players. If they are exceptionally talented, they might end up in one of the European leagues. If they then develop into real world class players and get picked up by the top clubs, that gives you role models. Kids back home look up to these role models and aspire to be like them and take a deeper interest in the sport. Repeat the cycle. Of course, the youth players do have role models like the Messi, Zidane, etc but my point is to have a local player become a role model.

Once you have a cycle of role models, infrastructure, media exposure and money being invested properly, that will help bring the level of football up. Till then, be happy that there is a local team you can support.

I am sure there were similar discussions like these in Liverpool when its club was founded in the late 19th century.

no the discussion in Liverpool in the 19th century was by the upper classes of what is this awful game these peasants are playing with their feet!!! As for MLS I dont expect the same quality of EPL or La Liga, but things like adhering to the international calendar and artificial turf would just be starters, I would never expect North Americans to accept promotion and demotion as a norm (can you imagine the Leafs would be in the AHL still hehhe) The simple fact is that football (soccer) is and will remain in the US an upper middle class white sport, the majority of kids with any athletic talent especially in inner city Detroit, LA, or NYC want to grow up to be the next Lebron James, Dustin Pedroia or Tim Tebow. Unless there is a huge cultural shift, and yes I do realize that with a growing Hispanic population that the game wil have a rise, soccer will always remain a fringe sport in the US and Canada.

 

[Carling]

went to TFC game last night!..solid performance from TFC, although the Koevermans yellow card will hurt us..(and it was a stupid foul), but considering no Frings it was good to see the other guys pull up they're socks and finish with a draw...

one side note :two suspeneded players for Santos will help us in Mexico, and may make the game closer than most were expecting..

 

[lenharper]

Hey football fans. Why is it that in soccer/football home field is seen (and seems to be) as such an advantage. It seems a little out of whack with other sports. Theories?

 

[trod]

It is a different atmosphere for starters.

To compare, does one really see any instantly identifiable differences in the venues/stadiums for NHL apart from the logos and advertisements and some minor structural changes ? Ditto for NBA games. It looks all generic and I'd say the players don't really feel like they are playing 'away' in NHL/NBA.

Now see some pictures of football stadiums : Camp Nou, San Siro, Old Trafford, Mestalla, Santiago Bernabeu, Stade Velodrome, etc. The moment you come out of the dressing room and step on to the pitch, just looking around is enough to make you feel like you are really away from your home ground. And you are.

 

[Don Draper]

It is a different atmosphere for starters.

To compare, does one really see any instantly identifiable differences in the venues/stadiums for NHL apart from the logos and advertisements and some minor structural changes ? Ditto for NBA games. It looks all generic and I'd say the players don't really feel like they are playing 'away' in NHL/NBA.

Now see some pictures of football stadiums : Camp Nou, San Siro, Old Trafford, Mestalla, Santiago Bernabeu, Stade Velodrome, etc. The moment you come out of the dressing room and step on to the pitch, just looking around is enough to make you feel like you are really away from your home ground. And you are.

Indeed. You don't see the sort of PASSION in North American Sports that you see in European Futbol.

At least I've never seen it.

The flags waving, the team song/chants, the crowd jumping/dancing in unison. It's truly inspiring:

http://taramullally.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/camp-nou-borkur-net_1-420x315.jpg


It's an overwhelming and beautiful sight for both team and crowd.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Game day.

Toronto FC VS Columbus Crew at BMO field 2:00 pm

 

[dropinloads]

Another stellar MLSE team. 0-3 to start.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Game Day Wednesday night (live 8 p.m. ET on Sportsnet One & CONCACAF.com

“It’s going to happen,” Johnson said after training at BMO Field on Monday in preparation for the second semifinal leg. “I believe it 100 percent. They’re just not joking around when they say [it’s going to be a war].”

Santos had two players given red cards in Toronto. Osmar Mares was sent off in the 77th minute for his tackle on Richard Eckersley, and Darwin Quintero was shown red at the end of the game after Toronto’s Ashtone Morgan went down from a head butt. That event sparked a shoving match between both sides. Toronto will have to win or play to a higher-scoring tie to advance to the final of the club championship for North and Central America and the Caribbean. A 1-1 tie would force extra time and possibly penalty kicks.

http://www.torontofc.ca/video/2012/04/03/tfc-arrives-torreon-april-3-2012

Full police escort will be with Toronto FC while they are there!

 

[scouser1]

5-2!!! bye bye MLSE FC and good riddance, why would they need police escort I thought the Red Patch Boys were tough like the Irriducibili or the Ultra Aslan? we seen them fighting fans in Columbus and Chicago

 

[Mr. Lucky]

6-2 final. That's it I quit

But thank you for the Concacaf 2012!

 

[crispycp2000]

Some good points on this thread. Glad to see that some fellow terbites are also lovers of the other beautiful game