I only went to one Toronto FC match in 2018 so far, and that was the CONCACAF Champions League Final first leg against Chivas Guadalajara back in April. Although TFC had a poor start to the regular season, their run in the Champions League was impressive, beating two strong Mexican sides (Tigres and Club America) on the road to the final. I remember that match at BMO Field very well. It was snowing for large parts of the match, which was unique and rather beautiful to see. The stands were packed and the atmosphere was loud, despite Toronto FC losing the first leg. It was a great night to lose yourself in the match and the sensory stimulation around you, and it made me temporarily forget about the negative feelings I had toward the club.
As of writing this post, I am not currently a supporter of Toronto FC, and I was not for a few years now, though I still follow the club from time-to-time. I still occasionally go to Toronto FC matches because my love for football will always trump any negative feelings toward Toronto FC. In my head, I have re-framed going to Toronto FC matches as nothing more than an entertainment activity for now, as it is just something to do. I cannot think about Toronto FC without thinking about the fact that MLSE values corporate profits over the safety of the players, and the proper treatment of supporters in the south stand. I have mentioned my various concerns about the club on previous recent posts, but I will detail my apathy with the club up to this point.
The relocation of the CFL's Toronto Argonauts to BMO Field was what ultimately ended my support for Toronto FC. The damage to the grass pitch by the Canadian football players increased the risk of injury to the soccer players that played the next week (which makes Toronto FC's runs to both the 2016 and 2017 MLS Cup Finals all the more impressive). Yearly double-digit percentage increases in ticket prices (including for the upcoming 2019 season) has made going to Toronto FC matches less affordable for many season ticket holders. The construction of the Tunnel Club next to where the players walk out to the pitch, and the suites above the south end, are catering more to a sedate business crowd. Through expensive tickets and cheap marketing promotions, MLSE are substituting true supporters with fair-weather tourists, which will weaken the atmosphere overall, similar to Leafs and Raptors games. One can argue that the signing of Sebastian Giovinco was just as much a business signing to get more people in seats than a signing to improve the squad. Overly strict rules for supporters (such as checking all supporter-made banners) limit supporter expression, especially if a supporter wants to protest an action taken by the club. Finally, the banning of the Inebriatti as a supporters group (although you can argue that it was the correct decision taken by the club) has left a bad taste in my mouth, and it can serve as a slippery slope for the club wanting to impose further controlling measures on the other supporters groups.
There is once more, a division between Toronto FC supporters, mostly stemming from the behaviour and the banning of the Inebriatti supporters group. Supporters from both sides of the divide still feel the need to tell the other side how to support the club, which was something I have seen years ago when I used to regularly go to Toronto FC matches. This kind of toxicity is not healthy for the long-term health of the club, and supporters should support the club how they see fit. However, I will admit that I do take a side in this divide. I am a firm believer in expressing yourself when it comes to supporting a club, and that should include ultras-style support. I am against the 'North American-ization' of the club, and I am disappointed in those Toronto FC fans who believe that MLSE can do no wrong. What is certain is that Toronto FC and MLSE take advantage of the loyalty of the supporters for financial gain.
I am going to switch gears to something else Toronto FC related, and it concerns the Campeones Cup match against Tigres at BMO Field. A bunch of my co-workers bought tickets to the match in the south stand, and yes, that includes myself as well. Honestly, I have come to regret buying a ticket for myself for that match. The Campeones Cup is a meaningless trophy, a glorified friendly, and it is a waste of time for both clubs, who need to focus on their respective seasons (though it is increasingly likely that Toronto FC will miss the 2018 MLS Playoffs). After the Inebriatti ban, I do not know if I can stomach going back to the south stand. It will break my heart to see all those empty seats in the front of 114 and to experience a fractured atmosphere (the meaninglessness of this match will contribute heavily).
Most importantly, I do not want to project my negative feelings and attitudes on the club to the rest of my co-workers, many of them going to their very first Toronto FC match. They need to experience going to a Toronto FC match with no bias, and it is not my place to make their experience a negative one. I feel like if I were to go the match with my co-workers, I would only talk about how the south stand used to be full of life, and other things that would make me reminisce about the good old times. It feels like going to the match is not the right thing to do for me.
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