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The Game

Toronto FC already testing patience of fans

STEPHEN BRUNT

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 5:04 PM EDT 26/03/08

Second-year MLS franchise could be in for a rocky ride ...Read the full article

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  1. Alias No Name from Vanuatu writes: Every club knows that...do not piss off the hard core fans!
  2. uncle rukus from Mississauga, Canada writes: It's funny the same media commentators who where planning the demise of the club before it got started and got egg on thier face are the first to tear down the club in its 2nd year on the pitch. Brunt ask your friends Bob McCowan and Dave Perkins how there predictions of death of Toronto FC turned out??

    They almost made the playoffs in thier first year most supporters are just happy going to the stadium to support the team. Sure everyone wants to win but its too early for the doom and gloom of a media who never gave the team a chance in the first place.
  3. Raffi D from Canada writes: This is exactly the same thing that the MLSE has been doing with the Leafs lately. Every game is selling out, so why bother working on making the team better? They're making their money and they won't think twice about it until fans start showing discontent.

    Once they start realizing money is at stake, they'll fix the team up.
  4. Doug Malin from Canada writes: Aaahhhhh..have to love it..only in Toronto could this happen...You would think that people are used to losing teams, but one year and the whining starts? Is there something in that fresh Toronto air that breeds losers on sports teams? Can't wait for the fire Mitchell and Colangelo outcry starts, which it will soon. Gibbons and J.P. will be next. Get used to it people, the soccer team will suck forever. It's a Toronto team! And besides, soccer, or wait, um, footy? lol Who cares?
  5. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Hey Doug, since we live in the only real city in Canada, we'll deal with it. You go move that moose off your lawn before it makes a bigger mess.
  6. Chris McLaughlin from The Hammer, Canada writes: I'll answer Doug Malin's question -- lots of footy fans care, that's who -- and ask one in return: what is it that compels every uninformed nutter in the world to share that ignorance with the rest of us? On behalf of those enjoying Mr. Brunt's column and the thoughtful comments of others, go away.
  7. Eric B from Ottawa, Canada writes: Raffi D, you beat me to the punch....the problem here is not Toronto nor the fans - the problem is MLSE. Anyone can tell you, a winning spirit starts at the owner level (think Steinbrener's Yankees, Kraft's Patriots, even Melnyk's Senators except for the last few months)...you need an owner that is committed & passionate, who is willing to throw-in a few extra millions when its needed to sign a key player or take a trip to personnaly go talk to a free agent. the problem is, the Leafs / T-FC are owned by: a PENSION PLAN!!! A pension plan is not in it to win, they are in it to make money, to ensure a good retirement for their members. THAT is the real problem. The Raptors got lucky to get a great GM which will bring them some success, but not likely the NBA crown....and as soon as Colangelo leaves, they'll sink as low as the Leafs & torontoFC.

    Better hope Ted Rogers and the Jays have a good year, its your only hope Toronto....

    Go HABS!
  8. Brian C. from Montreal, Canada writes: I agree that it would be in TFC's best interests to have an MLS team in Montreal. TFC certainly doesn't have much to lose at the national level because they don't even have any TV coverage in Canada this year. Maybe a T.O./MTL rivalry would get them back on TV.
  9. Micro Yoda from Toronto, Canada writes: Give me a break. How long does it take to build a winning franchise after expansion? Years. Look at the Raptors, Jays, and others. Since when has the expectation that we have to build a strong team have to happen immediately? Sure, over time, the expectation should build, but not after season one. Let's not rain on the parade and my patience is not wearing thin in the slightest! Brunt, you've got it all wrong and clearly are better suited for journalism than pro sports management. Most of my friends that I mentioned this article to agree with me...
  10. A Banana from Canada writes: uncle rukus you must have a pretty interesting idea of 'almost making the playoffs'. This team was dead in the water more than two months before the end of the season.

    Nobody wants to lose their temper with this team, but the effort we've seen in the offseason looks very unprofessional. I the people who pay the highest ticket prices in the league and had to live through a price increase in their second year deserve slightly better, do you not?
  11. Brian C. from Montreal, Canada writes: Correction: I see from the March 20 announcement that there will be good TV coverage (took them long enough to confirm it!). I still agree that a Montreal team wouldn't be much skin off TFC's nose, and would probably give the league a boost in Canada.
  12. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Why are there no stories about the new Canada Cup that was announced today between Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. The winner gets a spot in the new CONCACAF Champions League.
  13. Young Gunner from T., Canada writes: DOUG....go blab somewhere else. Your kind isn't needed in this forum. This should be a space for positive discussion, not blatant Toronto bashing. We are still a young team, with plenty of options (cap space, draft picks). Yes we want o win more frequently, but this team is fresh, with no roots in any community program. Hopefully the TFC Academy is used properly to develop and nurture young, Canadian talent.
  14. J B from Toronto, Canada writes: Brunt is dead on, the fans have shown their commitment and MLSE has failed to respond. I refuse to believe that even under MLS' meager salary cap that there are no Latin American or African players of decent quality that can be signed by TFC. Sure, most European players that are any decent are out of reach, but football is a global sport. With the commitment of the fans, MLSE/TFC can now afford to take some risks and reward their fans.
  15. Dave Hunt from Canada writes: People do not worry. If the product on the field does not improve in a timely manner--- soccer fans (unlike Hockey fans) will REVOLT! The fan clubs (Red Patch Boys, U-Sector etc.) appear to be well organized, considering their short existance. I can assure you they will be more 'active.'

    Good report Mr. Brunt--telling it as it is! I believe TFC screwed around with their open try outs also. I understand that these so called 'open try outs' were nothing but publicity stunts! Kids attended from all over the world for nothing---TFC management played with their dreams--Bad move to trade O'Brien---however, I don't think that he was happy here!
  16. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Seems like everybody in Toronto went to the Ballard school of running a sports franchise.

    Toronto fans will blindly follow anything that appears to be hip, cool and exotic. Then, it becomes hip to complain about how much they pay for tickets.

    Meanwhile, the MLSE sits back and collects $$$.....
  17. Dave Hunt from Canada writes: Doug Malin: Go lay an egg...you're a Goose!
  18. George Kallianteris from Toronto, Canada writes: The thing about the cap is eveyone will spend close to the top and allow a little room for future considerations.. MLSE spent to the cap last year and might leave 400$ for a DP who is worth the money..
    Its stupid to say MLSE has anything to do with the team not scouting good soccer talent from South America.. they probably dont know where it is on the map. BUT they had the money and business savey to get a team and the stadium.. so lets cut them a little slack but not too much..

    Mo learned his lesson last year throwing cash around to players who under performed and didnt have much desire to play.. his coaching may be partly to blame.. but he recognized this and adjusted.. he got a better coach who will have the 'patience' and time to spend with these guys and got rid of a few stiffs.. so there is some progress..

    The reason we didnt get any legitimate interest by good players is two reasons.. the pitch and the salary cap.. both hinder our ability to attract good players who are serious about their game..



  19. Alias No Name from Vanuatu writes: You can always 'rip up' the artifficial turf and lay a normal grass pitch...But what would happend to the 'winter bubble'...That should be somewhere else...
  20. Port Credit Bill from Canada writes: Would loveto rip up the turf but until MLSE buys the stadium from the City of Toronto we will have to put up with the plastic. I look at it this way: if FIFA approves it, it good enough for me.

    Additionally, lighten up everybody! We are in our second year and it takes time to develop a squad and what would throwing money at a big name player do? Sure it helped New York last year, but the Galaxy were terrible.

    Given the O'Brien was a good player I would have traded him in a heartbeat. Any football player that wears a brace on his knee has a short shelf life.
  21. Kyle La from Toronto, Canada writes: Thanks to Pat Billings for pointing out the obvious!

    We should all be looking forward to what we didn't have last year: Champions League (hello road trip to Montreal!!!!), the All Star game, a real head coach and trainer, and great young prospects (Julius James, Brian Edwards, Phelan.....Edu, Wynne).

    Let's look up, not down! Come on you REDS!!!!
  22. Alias No Name from Vanuatu writes: Why not ship the whole TFC to Europe for a tour,if you are looking for a road trip....Let's do whole Spain,Portugal,England,France,Italy and Germany.....
  23. George Kallianteris from toronto, Canada writes: throwing money at 'has-beens' wont solve our problems but mask them for a year or two at best.. let Mo build a team and get the right pieces..

    on another note MLSE did hire one of the best football conditioning coaches out there.. and arguably the best youth coach and acadamy director in the US..

    I think Brunt has been hanging out with Blob McClown too long..
  24. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Dave Hunt from Canada writes: I believe TFC screwed around with their open try outs also. I understand that these so called 'open try outs' were nothing but publicity stunts! Kids attended from all over the world for nothing---TFC management played with their dreams ...

    Dave, that's not entirely true is it? They have invited dozens of kids back for the academy. The people that came to the open try outs for the senior team clearly weren't good enough as none of them were playing professional league football anywhere of reputation to begin with.
  25. Dave Hunt from Canada writes: BI: I don't know if came across the artricle in The Star regarding the "open try outs." Reporter Cathal Kelly had quite an arguement regarding the " open try outs" being used as publicity stunts.

    I would have loved NOT to believe everything that was being presented but the arguement was pretty convincing.

    Nevetheless, I'm looking forward to the season like most season ticket holders.... BUt... like one the fans had previoulsy written (and I do agree) "TFC forever...does not mean TFC whatever!"
  26. Alias No Name from Vanuatu writes: They did it right,in one part...had open try outs for for the youngsters for their "reserve" team/program...They shouldn't be holding open try-outs for adults-the A-Team ,that is screwy....
  27. B Z from Toronto, Canada writes: To Doug and everyone who doesn't live in the Greater Toronto area ... you're just jealous.

    Off we go to Columbus for a party this weekend ... win or lose ... we're having fun.

    Doug and co. you're just jealous.
  28. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: C'mon Dave, you can't take anything Cathal Kelly says seriously. The man has never found a good thing to write about either TFC or Toronto Raptors. Between him and Dave Feschuk and along with Bob McCown, they represent the cynically worse of Toronto sports media that is of no real value to anyone who wants to make constructive arguments, not just throw people/ideas/teams off the bridge. The fact that TSN (part of the Globe and Mail family) has decided to hire more angry white men with nothing good to say about anything (Mike Milbury is a joke), just further makes me believe that some in the media just don't want to see Toronto teams succeed because if they weren't around to fan the flames of discontent, they'd be out of work.
  29. Alias No Name from Vanuatu writes: I love everything that TFC,Impact and Whitecaps stand for....More power to them....!!!!!!!!
  30. A Banana from Toronto, Canada writes: Got to love the random distain for Toronto coming across these boards. It couldn't be that people actually want professional soccer? No, that wouldnt' make any sense after watching a U20 world cup last summer with 1.3M in attendance and having two other Canadian cities line up to be the next teams for MLS.

    Oh it's just hip, cool and exotic. That's why we're all here! Says the guy who likes to Critize toronto but doesn't even have the pride in his own city under his profile.
  31. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: TFC has fans,but are they really "football fans" and/or is it a cult?
  32. Dave Hunt from Canada writes: A Banana: Could not agree with you more!!! Some idiots (media/otherwise) fail to realize that a BIG "underground" soccer culture always existed in Toronto---we are now witnessing the surfacing of this fanatic TO soccer culture with TFC. Wait till the opening game of TFC--season two--you'll see what I mean.

    Some "soccer red necks" we'll always have a problem with this type of enthusiasm...but less and less people give any damn about them!!

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