What Toronto FC Means to Me

Five years ago, I went to my very first Toronto FC game at BMO Field in 2007. The week before was a monumental achievement for the club as Danny Dichio scored the first goal for the club in the 24^th minute (cue flying seat cushions). What I could remember before going to my first match was the excitement that there was actually a professional soccer team in the city. Before that, I would only follow Manchester United, but I was happy that I can finally support the local club, instead of a club from another country for the longest time. Little did I know, but those 5 years would shape me as a person and an individual lover of the beautiful game. I became emotionally attached to the club.

I think a reason why I feel so attached to the club is because I like to read up a lot on footy culture around the globe. I like to read about the football culture in places like Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa. I found it very fascinating, and when Toronto FC started, I think it was important that the supporters created their own football culture in the city of Toronto. It is very unique here, and even now when the atmosphere has died down a bit (mostly due to very high ticket prices), there still is that experience to enjoy. There have been some ups and downs (a lot of them) in the club’s short history, but the experience is still there.

Throughout the difficulties that faced me in high school and university, I can always grab tickets, head off to BMO Field and catch a Toronto FC match. I call it my getaway from the pressures of life. In high school and university, it’s so easy to be caught up in something that isn’t you or to do something that would make you uncomfortable. I can honestly say that BMO Field is the only place where I can truly be myself. Where I can just forget everything and have a good time, whether it is a win, draw, or loss.

I do realize that the Toronto FC owners have made some wrong decisions regarding the welfare of the club (or some supporters would say, have completely mismanaged the club). They have made some good investments (real grass on the pitch, new academy facility), but it’s just the bad decisions that stick out like a sore thumb, such as insanely high ticket prices, the revolving door of management, and miscommunication between them and the supporters groups. I personally don’t try to let it affect me that much. I just hope that the front office don’t make a fatal decision that kills the club for good, because if Toronto FC is lost, then a part of me is lost.

I could go to the most wonderful vacation spot in the world and not get the same happiness that I do from going to a Toronto FC game. If God came up to me and make me choose between heaven and Toronto FC, I would tell God…Toronto FC is my heaven.