"Can you feel the passion? Umm...guys? Can you feel it?" It was always going to be this way. As far back as the first home fixture in 2007, Toronto FC was based on a house of cards that was "the great atmosphere". It didn't help when the assembled North American football media got in line to stroke the club and its supporters' egos for managing to introduce a "European match atmosphere" to MLS.
Shot on goal! Face it, after standing (or sitting depending on your BMOfication) through that damp-flannel-to-the-face-of-a-match on Saturday - we deserve an extra day off. Well thanks to that wacky monarch and hottie from history Queen Victoria - you get one! Yes, the lady who brought you such hits as "Ottawa" is rolling out 24 hours of long weekend shenaniganism - but don't get too excited, there are some parts of Vicky Day (TM) that are much like spending the day with Toronto FC.
We sing in the 50th! SATURDAY 1PM ET: For our loyal readers who have dropped by to read the usual post-home fixture article - "THE SOUTH STAND REPORT" - we regret to inform you that our regular reporter (follow him on the Twitternet @ignirtoq for malarkey) has been indisposed today.
"I'm too sexy for Crew Cat" TORONTO VS. COLUMBUS BMO FIELD - SATURDAY 5PM ET TV: TSN
THE KICKABOUT: It's that time in the MLS schedule where Glasgow must bow to the pent-up intensity of centuries of Ohio-Ontario sectarianism as "The New Soft Derby" kicks off.
Well, almost a QPR kit "Ah, breaker one-nine, this here's the Rubber Duck. You gotta copy on me, Pig Pen, c'mon?" Pretty sure this is how the conversation went down between Kevin Payne and Sporting KC's front office as TFC's President traded for MLS veteran Bobby Convey earlier today.
Wrong Ashton(e). Wrong Morgan. Be honest, you clicked here thinking that Toronto FC had released Ashtone Morgan. If we had advertising revenue on this site, we would be counting the extra pennies right now - but no, we were just being dicks. How else could we garner interest over this story?
Payne and Nelsen look over scouting reports Nothing in football says "building for the future" and "setting a strong foundation" like a squad full of 3-month loan signings. And by "nothing" we mean just about anything. Since February, Kevin Payne and his band of Merry Management at TFC have dropped the hint that 5 or 6 player signings are constantly imminent.
Ben Haim: Loan boy If it's Thursday that must mean another temporary signing from the bargain bin of English football. In their attempt to become the QPR of MLS (at least until June 30th) TFC has added Israeli International defender Tal Ben Haim... wait for it... on loan.
According to Kevin "The Loan Arranger" Payne "Tal Ben Haim has been one of the top defenders in the EPL for nearly a decade".
Relax Steven, it's just a loan Apparently the way to fix Toronto FC's leaky wingback situation which has led to many a last-minute heartbreaker... is to loan a centreback. Yes, TFC have reportedly gone back to mining the English Championship loan market again this time grabbing Scotland International and soon-to-be ex-Birmingham City defender Steven Caldwell.
We really could have used a 10... When the annual salary report is released by the MLS Players Union it leads to all kinds of financial naval gazing among the clubs' supporters. Who is money well spent? (Cough, Bendik. Cough, Boss. Cough, Osorio) Who isn't worth their inflated salary?
"Warm milk was a bad choice..." The first time Toronto FC gave up a goal in the dying minutes of a match it was put down to bad luck. The second time raised a few eyebrows. Now that we're headed to a half-dozen last-minute reverse-heroics/brainfarts it has just become expected. You would be hard-pressed to find a Reds' supporter who feels comfortable in the 85th minute of a match unless TFC has a solid 5 to 8 goal lead.
After the Voyaguers Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg, Montreal supporters' groups were tremendously unhappy with their club's lack of showing in a 2-0 loss to Toronto. To "voice" what they saw as a lack of passion from their club's leadership in regards to the tournament, they sat in silence during Impact's following fixture to Chicago Fire.
Goodbye old friend MONTREAL VS. TORONTO VOYAGEURS CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd LEGSTADE SAPUTOFIRST HALF: KICK OFF - In Toronto there is no sporting event bigger than this Amway Canadian Championship Semi-Final tonight.
