The State of Toronto FC: The "Mascot" Controversy and What TFC/MLSE Thinks of Supporters

It's been a while since I blogged about Toronto FC. For my first blog this year about TFC, I was meaning to talk about the squad and the expectations going into the new season, but there was a bit of a controversy yesterday on Twitter. There is a TFC survey that season ticket holders can fill out, and included in that survey was a question on whether they would be open to TFC having a mascot for the club. This led to very strong reactions on Twitter, especially from supporters who were opposed to TFC having a mascot. You could even say that there was an overreaction from particular TFC supporters on Twitter, who say that the introduction of a mascot contributes to the "sanitizing" of the atmosphere at BMO Field.

As a supporter of Toronto FC, I absolutely agree that the BMO Field atmosphere and experience now, compared to 2007, has been sanitized. There is more of a focus on marketing, sponsors, and sideshow entertainment than the actual football, and creating an "authentic" European atmosphere with no bells and whistles. However, it is also important to look at the business side of introducing a mascot to Toronto FC. The hardcore TFC supporters are not the target market for this. Mascots mostly appeal to children, and my guess is that the mascot will be around at TFC community events, and not so much the stadium itself. A lot of European clubs have mascots, and still keep their image relatively intact, so why can't TFC do the same? Purely as a supporter, I wouldn't want a mascot, but also taking the business side into account, it could actually work (though I was always under the impression that Bitchy the Hawk was Toronto FC's mascot). If it is done right, it should have little to no influence on how supporters support the team.

With this controversy, some TFC supporters have been reminiscing of the 2007 days when the experience at BMO Field was at its purest form, without all the overstimulating sponsor advertisements, price hikes, and sideshows that have little to do with football.  The thing is, those days are long gone and I don't think it is coming back. If Toronto FC was a success on the pitch from the start, then you could have seen an experience nowadays at BMO Field that looked something like a European or South American atmosphere. But, as we all know and experienced, Toronto FC has been awful since they entered Major League Soccer. A sizable amount of supporters have walked away from the club and MLSE need to fill the seats. So obviously, they will rely on a lot of cheap promotions and entertainment, as well as star players and sponsor involvement to get new customers to go see Toronto FC matches and maybe buy season tickets and merchandise. This is why you are seeing more casual fans and families than ever before, and their hesitance to join in the chants and songs is one of the reasons why the atmosphere at BMO Field isn't what it once was.

Now, the people I would imagine reading this are those who would be considered hardcore supporters of Toronto FC. I have something I want to share with you.

Throughout the existence of Toronto FC, I have grown from a young high school kid to a functioning adult. From my experiences following the team and everything that came with it, I want to share the most important thing I have learned from following Toronto FC to you, the reader (and most likely hardcore TFC supporter). Are you ready? Here it is:

Toronto FC and MLSE don't care about you. You are nothing more than a dollar sign to them. They use your fandom as a means to make more money for them.

The reason TFC has the survey for season ticket holders to fill out is not because they want to hear and listen to your opinion. The reason is that they can use that information to make the most money off of you and everyone else that goes to BMO Field, Let's face it, the influence of hardcore supporters on the club who are striving for a better atmosphere has been waning, and MLSE have realized that the real money comes from the new fans that enter the gates of BMO Field because they are more likely to buy into what MLSE is offering them. MLSE doesn't have to cater to the hardcore supporters as much anymore because most of you will always be coming back every year to BMO Field no matter how disgruntled you may feel about the team. If TFC increases season ticket prices, yeah you'll be upset, but you'll still come back. If TFC introduces a mascot, yeah you'll be upset, but you'll still come back. Hell, if the Argos move to BMO Field, which is a real possibility, I wouldn't be surprised if most TFC supporters come back to support the team at BMO Field. If you don't come back, MLSE will just lure someone else to the stadium.

As much as I hate MLSE, this is the ugly truth. If you are sick and tired of the corporatism at BMO Field (believe me, I am as well), voicing your opinion on a survey and voicing your displeasure on Twitter is unlikely to get MLSE to listen to you. You are going to have to do more that, and whatever that might be is up to you, whether it be from voicing your displeasure in the stadium, or simply not giving your money to MLSE anymore, though those are not the only two options.

On its own two feet, having a mascot for TFC isn't an issue, but if you look at the bigger picture, it is yet another piece of the growing corporatism at BMO Field. This issue also shows that MLSE is continuing to bite the hand that feeds them, and they are the supporters who have been bravely trying to keep the atmosphere alive at the stadium. Unfortunately, there are the MLSE cheerleaders who turn a blind eye to all the corporatism, but if there are enough supporters who hate it, and realize that their opinions aren't being heard, and do something about it, then maybe, just maybe, MLSE will be forced to listen.

Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew: The Soul is Real

I went to the Toronto FC match against the Columbus Crew last Saturday, and what was supposed to be a nice day out hoping for a comfortable Toronto FC win, turned out to be something completely magical.

I'm not going to talk too much about the match itself, but rather talk about the two big moments of the match. Before those two moments, Toronto FC were on the back foot, as the Crew were dictating the play. By the way TFC were playing, it didn't look like they were going to win the match. Ryan Nelsen put on Gilberto and Dwayne De Rosario in the hopes of trying to get the tying goal.

The first big moment was the wonder strike from Jermain Defoe to tie the match up 2-2 in the 81st minute. It was pure world-class instinct from Defoe and an unbeatable strike into the back of the net. At this point, I thought TFC would just take the draw, considering they had to battle back twice to equalize, but TFC was surging for a winner. What transpired next was something I didn't think would happen at BMO Field, in the way that it did.

It was the 92nd minute, in stoppage time. TFC had a free kick outside the Columbus 18-yard box. Dan Lovitz whips in the cross and it meets the head on Doneil Henry. He heads the ball into the net and BMO Field goes absolutely mental. I'm glad that it was Doneil Henry that scored the header, and he needed that more than anyone else. He has faced some rather harsh criticism (myself included) over his tendency to lose focus and foul players in the box, and so hopefully that goal can end the chatter for at least a little bit. Usually, it would be Toronto FC that would get scored on late in a match, but this isn't the old Toronto FC anymore. TFC had to dig deep to find a way to win, and that is what they did. Playoff bound teams would win these kind of matches.

I have two feelings about the match winner, one feeling about Toronto FC and the supporters, and another feeling that affects me personally.

When the winner was scored, it felt like the dormant soul of Toronto FC and the supporters awakened itself in a moment of pure and unbridled jubilation. It felt like all the negativity and criticism surrounding the team, the squabbles between the supporters groups and the Toronto FC front office, and the constant wonder whether this Toronto FC team was good enough to make the playoffs, was all completely forgotten. In that moment, I think we all, as supporters, realized and reinforced why we support this team. I witnessed the soul of Toronto FC. Over the years, it felt like there was no soul in the stands. The supporters sections weren't as lively as the first couple of seasons of Toronto FC's existence. Even now, with the signings and the hype surrounding the team, the supporters sections couldn't capture the essence of what made Toronto FC so special, as supporters were more interested in bickering with each other and complaining about tourists. For those moments, when the winner was scored and for the rest of the match, the essence was back. It felt like everyone was unified in song, and it was beautiful. It was completely and utterly beautiful.

On a personal level, it was a release of everything I ever had built up inside me, on an emotional level. I've long since stated that I don't go to Toronto FC matches just to support the team. I go because it is a kind of therapy for me. I go because I want to escape the pressures of life, whether it's the monotony of school, where I am going to get my next paycheck, and trying to forget about the one girl whom I really liked, but only sees me as just a friend. I don't know if a lot of people knew about this, but going to Toronto FC matches has helped my anxiety disorder as well. This year, I have particularly felt the pressures of school, jobs, and friendships in negative ways. I thought the only true way of escaping all of that was going to Toronto FC matches, if only for 90 minutes. When TFC scored the winner on Saturday, I went ballistic. It felt like my soul was rejuvenated, not just in the sense of supporting Toronto FC, but in the sense that I can deal with whatever has been ailing me. If I ever need to get away, I can just go to BMO Field and just be me, yelling at my heart's content. Despite my criticisms of Toronto FC, Toronto FC has been there when I felt the absolute worst. The role Toronto FC has played in my life as a means of escape, trumps the feelings I have toward (the old management of) MLSE and its greed. From the Danny Dichio chants to the pyro-fuelled celebrations outside Gate 3, I am glad to be a part of it all.

In the match last Saturday, the soul of Toronto FC was present, and I am more than happy to be a part of it.

Sidenote: I took some video of the match after the winner, and the celebrations at Gate 3.

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Toronto FC: Post-Game Thoughts

This isn't a photo of the match.

That was quite the start to Toronto FC's 2014 MLS season.

With the revamp of Toronto FC's management, and their new significant additions to the squad, the expectation level of Toronto FC's season was sky-high. They sure lived up to that expectation with a satisfying 2-1 away win in their season opener against the Seattle Sounders. Before the match, most of the hype was surrounding Jermain Defoe, and whether he would be able to set Major League Soccer alight with goals. To add to the hype, the MLS media pounced on the fact that Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey, two significant United States National Team players, would be opponents in the match. The MLS media did create a bit of a mini-rivalry between the two.

The first half began, and TFC were a bit cagey in the first 10-15 of the match, as Seattle were creating chances and were playing some free-flowing, attacking football. However, Ryan Nelsen and the coaching staff made a tactical adjustment that changed the flow of the half. They made Alvaro Rey and Jackson switch their positions, so instead of going up the wing and putting in the cross, both players cut inside towards the middle of the box, better suiting their skill and athleticism. This tactical adjustment put Seattle on the backfoot, and Toronto began to create their own chances. Not long after, Jonathan Osorio played a pass to Jermain Defoe who one-timed his low shot in the corner past Stefan Frei.

Cue the pandemonium, Toronto FC were leading against the Sounders in Seattle. A few minutes later, off a giveaway in the midfield, Defoe picked up the ball and once again popped it in the back of the net to give Toronto a dream 2-0 lead at CenturyLink Field. For the rest of the half, Toronto FC looked threatening and hungry for more, and much of that was down to Michael Bradley. He did make a few mistakes in the half, with passing and heading the ball forward, but he more than made up for it with his intense pressure on any Seattle player with the ball and forcing them into mistakes. TFC's second goal came from that Bradley pressure. Michael Bradley was a beast, and I don't think Matias Laba could put in that kind of performance.

The second half was all Seattle Sounders. They were relentless in their pressure whenever Toronto FC had the ball, and they were also relentless in their attack in order to find the goals necessary to get back into the match. When Clint Dempsey scored for Seattle to make it 2-1, I (and many others) wondered whether Toronto FC had the ability to hold out and preserve the victory. If you didn't know, before this season, whenever Toronto FC were in a position to pick up points in a match, they almost always conceded one or more goals in the closing stages of a match. The fear was there, but all credit to Toronto FC's back four, as they dealt with the threats inside the box without the panic that surrounded previous Toronto FC teams.

I initially thought that Mark Bloom would have a hard time with the attack of the Sounders, but he proved me wrong and he had a solid match, clearing the ball when necessary, and denied the Sounders a penalty with a great recovery inside the box. Julio Cesar made some key saves to deny Seattle to level the match, and the two center backs, Steven Caldwell and Doneil Henry, did an admirable job with shutting down Seattle's attacks down the middle, and clearing Seattle's crosses into the box. 

It was a game of two halves, and despite the relative shakiness in the second half, Toronto FC put in a performance that the supporters can be proud of, and I hope that these kind of performances are consistent throughout the season. Let's not get carried away, TFC supporters. It's only one game, but hopefully this is a sign of things to come. Right now, just enjoy the win.

Toronto FC is back, and oh does it feel good (for a change).

Other things that I noticed during the match:

If I had a nickel for everytime Jason DeVos talked about Doneil Henry's "potential" and "development", I would be a very rich man. I know he rates him highly, but before this season, he was reckless and made some costly mistakes that lost TFC games. There are some bloggers and journalists that say that Toronto FC's success this season will depend on Doneil Henry's performances this season, and I agree with that. However's I'm sick and tired of hearing about his potential. He's had a number of years in MLS to prove his potential, and I'm still not convinced that he is the future of Toronto FC and the Canadian National Team. This season will be huge for him.

The Sounders fans were in fine voice, but why would they chant the "Can you hear Toronto sing" to probably less than 100 Toronto FC road fans in a stadium that had an attendance today of around 38,000 people. It seemed a bit stupid to me. In my opinion, the only acceptable times to sing that chant are if you are the away support, or if you are the home support with a significant amount of away supporters in attendance.

With this match, it felt like eating a spoonful of scrumptious ice cream, but now I want the entire tub. I absolutely cannot wait for the home opener. This should be an interesting season for the Reds of Toronto.

My Predictions for the 2014 Toronto FC Season

2013 was a year of change. The only thing that didn't change was that Toronto FC was still a losing team, missing the MLS playoffs again for a seventh straight year. However, there were a number of things that happened that, once again, gave supporters a sense of optimism. MLSE CEO Tim Leiweke and TFC GM Tim Bezbatchenko have brought in a number of high-profile players in order to try and rejuvenate the club and hopefully give the supporters something to cheer about. The supporters hope that the likes of Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley, and Julio Cesar, along with head coach Ryan Nelsen, can finally deliver a playoff spot for Toronto FC.

It's time to give my predictions for the 2014 Toronto FC season. I did this last year, with limited success, but I think I feel somewhat confident about this one. Let's get this started.

The most important question that is being presented in the new season is whether Toronto FC will make the playoffs in 2014. I had to think about this for a while, and after taking into account the new players, the new management, and the overall positive and professional atmosphere surrounding the club, I believe that Toronto FC will make the 2014 MLS Playoffs. However, I don't think that they will finish as strong as people will expect. I see them finishing in the third or fourth spot in the Eastern Conference. About the playoffs, I can't see Toronto FC making it to the MLS Cup Final. I think that they will be eliminated either in the Eastern Conference Semi-Final, or the Eastern Conference Final, as I believe the likes of Sporting KC and the New York Red Bulls have stronger teams. 

With this new-look team, there is a lot of pressure being put on Ryan Nelsen. I think it's great that he used his influence to bring in Jermain Defoe and Julio Cesar, but influencing players to come play for your club and coaching those players are two different things. A lot is being made of Ryan Nelsen's leadership, but I don't think Ryan Nelsen has the tactical acumen to continually deliver positive results at Toronto FC. Ryan Nelsen will be fired as head coach of Toronto FC at some point during the season. There have been a number of games last season where Toronto lost points due to Ryan Nelsen making odd substitutions, failing to adapt his tactics to gain an advantage in a match, or both. I think TFC could fall into an early-season (or even a mid-season) slump, and he will be the reason for it. Also, I wouldn't be surprised in Tim Bezbatchenko has a replacement in line if Ryan Nelsen were to consistently fail in delivering results for the club.

There has been a lot of discussion surrounding the shock year-long loan of Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar to Toronto FC. There are a number of supporters who think Julio Cesar will do a great job behind the goal posts, but I'm not so sure about that. I would be lying to you if I told you I wasn't skeptical of Julio Cesar and how he will do this season. I'm confident in saying that Julio Cesar will not perform to expectations. I say this for two reasons. The first reason is that he doesn't really have any challengers for the #1 goalkeeping spot for the Brazil national team, so it's not like he can take his tenure with Toronto FC seriously, though I hope he does. The second reason why I say this is because Julio Cesar's loan move reminded me of when Carlo Cudicini signed for the Los Angeles Galaxy last year. Cudicini was a somewhat high-profile keeper who put in a number of awful performances for LA. Julio Cesar is also a high-profile goalkeeper who I hope won't put in the consistently awful performances like Cudicini did. Julio Cesar will have his good performances, but he will also have his poor performances, more than most supporters will expect. One last thing about Julio Cesar, he is a definite upgrade over Joe Bendik. Joe Bendik, despite having an okay season with Toronto FC, has a lot of glaring flaws that sorely need to be addressed.

Another talking point in Toronto FC's season is how Jermain Defoe will do in his first season as a Toronto FC player. I found it difficult to quantify how he will do, but I think that his lack of involvement in Toronto FC's pre-season could negatively affect how Defoe will perform when the season rolls around. With that said, Jermain Defoe will not be the MLS top scorer this season, though he will have a good season regardless. I think Defoe will hit his stride near the end of the season and I think he will score between 12-15 goals this season.

Some other quick predictions for the upcoming season:

Matias Laba will not be a Toronto FC player by the time TFC play their first regular season game.

Michael Bradley will be the team MVP for this season. If not, then Jermain Defoe will be my second choice.

Gilberto will score between 7-9 goals this season.

Doneil Henry will get a red card at least three times during the regular season.

An important Toronto FC player will get injured during their friendly against Tottenham Hotspur.

The last thing I want to talk about are the Toronto FC social media outlets. I noticed that a new person is running the social media accounts, and it is evident that the style in how Toronto FC posts in their social media outlets this year is different to last year. Maybe I'll warm up to this new guy running the social media outlets in due time, but I think the social media outlets are a bit unprofessional nowadays (I can't be the only person thinking this), and I think this person uses the outlets to post some inside jokes that most TFC supporters wouldn't understand. I can see one of the Toronto FC social media outlets (probably the Twitter account) be embroiled in some sort of controversy. Maybe a social media outlet will insult an opposing player, or make fun of an opposing coach, or even tweet about something not remotely related to Toronto FC. What I'm trying to say is, I think the unprofessionalism of the Toronto FC social media outlets, run by this new guy, will be called out by someone important. Maybe it might be someone in the media, or a member of an opposing club. Who knows.

Anyways, these are my predictions. I will probably revisit this post at the end of the season. Until then, I wish Toronto FC the best of luck in the 2014 MLS Season.

The State of Toronto FC: A Red Letter Day

I think it's safe to say that yesterday was the biggest day in Toronto FC's history so far.

I watched the news conference in the solitude of my room, and what I could sense on my television screen at Real Sports Bar & Grill was a sense of hope. I could sense the hope within the supporters and within the TFC and MLSE management. If you've been living under a rock for the past few days, Toronto FC have formally announced the signings of English striker Jermain Defoe and American midfielder Michael Bradley. In terms of their skill and talent, I don't think there is an equal in Major League Soccer. Defoe is a proven goal scorer with quick feet and deadly finishing. Bradley has strong leadership, and is a workhorse in the center of midfield, which has been shown on multiple occasions with the American National Team. To state the obvious, they are massive upgrades to Toronto FC, and could finally push the team to the long-eluded MLS playoffs.

Despite the general positivity at the news conference, there were a few things that irked me. Like most news conferences, there was a lot of filler and pandering to the supporters from all 5 men up on stage. Another thing that annoyed me from the news conference is that I didn't feel like Defoe and Bradley were honest when they were asked what made them come to Toronto and play for TFC. It's painfully obvious that they are going to be paid a huge salary from TFC and MLSE and they will have the security they need for their families. I'm not dismissing that both Defoe and Bradley were intrigued by the ambition and commitment from TFC and MLSE, I just don't believe that as the main reason as to why they want to play for TFC. It's like if you were working for someone at a set salary and you receive an offer from an employer halfway around the world who will pay 4-5 times your current salary. Odds are, you'll take the offer.

The last thing that annoyed me about the press conference was that when Tim Leiweke and Tim Bezbatchenko were talking about acquiring Defoe and Bradley, they kept referring to the patience of the supporters and "rewarding their loyalty" with these signings. I don't know about other supporters, but if TFC really wants to reward loyalty, they need to win matches, and more importantly, deliver trophies to Toronto FC. I'm not talking about trophies like the Voyageurs Cup, I'm talking about the MLS Cup, Supporters Shield, and maybe, just maybe, the CONCACAF Champions League title (but that is wishful thinking). In my opinion, you don't reward loyalty by getting players, you reward loyalty by winning.

I'll move away from the news conference now, and I want to talk about something that was in the deal that was made in signing Defoe between MLSE and Tottenham Hotspur. That would be the "Advertising Rights Agreement" between the two organizations. I'll break it down piece by piece and talk about what I think it will mean to both TFC and Spurs.

The deal will see Toronto FC and MLSE provide promotional and branding opportunities, experiential activities and advertising, broadcasting, social media and digital rights across all of MLSE’s properties and media platforms.

What I understand from this is that Defoe will essentially become the face of TFC's marketing. Along with Bradley, Gilberto, and De Rosario, TFC has the players and the resources to attract former fans of Toronto FC to come back and support the team, as well as attract new fans to come to BMO Field. MLSE has four target markets: the Canadian (De Rosario), The American (Bradley), the South American (Gilberto), and the English/European market (Defoe). They are going to be everywhere. What I don't know is whether Spurs will be involved with these promotional and branding opportunities, since this is part of the deal between MLSE and Spurs.

Additionally, MLSE will carry Tottenham Hotspur F.C. official merchandise at their retail outlets, as well as support the THFC Official Canadian Supporter's Club.

MLSE selling Spurs merchandise will be beneficial for Spurs, as they can potentially gain new fans in Toronto from the sales of their merchandise, as well as get a cut from the sales. There is also a possibility that there are some TFC fans that don't have a team in the Premier League to support, and looking at the agreement that is in place between MLSE and Spurs, it could be said that TFC fans who don't have a Premier League team to support could possibly adopt Spurs. Conversely, members of the Spurs Canadian Supporter's Club who don't really watch TFC could possibly be enticed to come out to BMO Field to watch TFC, or at the least, Jermain Defoe.

Toronto FC will welcome Jermain’s former club to BMO Field on July 23 when it plays Tottenham in the second game of their 2014 summer tour.

A friendly is yet another opportunity for revenue for both clubs and will give the opportunity for Spurs fans in the GTA to go see the club. It will obviously be at a premium price but it can also be argued that this would be a once in a lifetime opportunity for Spurs fans in the GTA to go see their team. Overall, I think this agreement between MLSE and Spurs can be very fruitful for both teams, but I think Spurs has more to gain from this agreement.

One more thing. From these investments by MLSE this off-season, and how they have publicly stated that they will be losing money this year, I think it's a pretty safe bet that season ticket prices will increase next year.

Regardless, this upcoming season will be intriguing.

The State of Toronto FC: Optimism?

The MLS season is officially done, with Sporting KC beating Real Salt Lake on penalties to claim the MLS Cup for the 2013 season. After that was done, I (and everyone else) noticed something strange in the inner workings of Major League Soccer. Toronto FC was actually making trades and assembling a squad for the 2014 season in December, rather than when the season actually starts.

It's refreshing to see, actually. Looks like TFC GM Tim Bezbatchenko is beginning to execute his plan early and try to get in all the guys he wants before pre-season begins. Add in the fact that the management of TFC is completely new, and you get the sense that some TFC supporters are becoming optimistic about next season. The actions that Tim Bezbatchenko are taking seem to be promising, like obtaining Jackson from FC Dallas and Justin Morrow from San Jose, getting rid of highly-paid players like Stefan Frei and Bobby Convey for draft picks, and bringing in the 24 year old Gilberto from Brazil to be Toronto FC's 2nd Designated Player. On the surface, it can be said that TFC is moving in a positive direction, but we need to see how TFC does in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, and more importantly, we need to see how these new players coming in will do in Major League Soccer. Bezbatchenko started well, now let's see if all his moves work out.

A big topic of discussion with TFC is whether Jermain Defoe will be coming to the club or not. It is rumoured that his move is already finished and he is set to become the highest paid player in MLS history. Whether that is the case or not, if he comes to TFC, he is more than capable of winning the MLS Golden Boot award at the end of the 2014 regular season. I know there are some who think Jermain Defoe is being paid too much by MLSE and is not a good use of resources, but I disagree. If Jermain Defoe does play for TFC, there'll be more to his contract than just playing for the club. In Jermain Defoe, TFC and MLSE may have a strong marketing tool. I have no question that if Toronto FC land Defoe, they will use his name and image to promote the club and get fans to come to BMO Field on match days.

But wait, I can hear some TFC supporters already saying: "The best way to get fans in seats is for the club to start winning!" This is true, but there is nothing wrong with MLSE using their resources to get players and drum up some sort of positive interest. Who would have thought that having Drake as MLSE's "Global Ambassador" could help TFC land Gilberto, and quite possibly Defoe. Now look at where these players are coming from. Gilberto is coming from South America, particularly from Brazil. Defoe is coming from Europe, particularly from England. The Greater Toronto Area has a large population of those from South American and European descent who follow the leagues in their respective continents, but not Major League Soccer. I hope Tim Leiweke and MLSE have identified this segment as a target market for Toronto FC. I think TFC should get Gilberto and Defoe heavily involved in the promotional element of the club, in order to begin attracting that segment of people and to get them to come out to BMO Field for matches. This attraction can snowball into something bigger if Gilberto and Defoe are regularly scoring goals, and TFC are winning matches. Then you will see people come out in droves to BMO and it will go a long way in returning the atmosphere that made BMO Field amazing in the early days of Toronto FC.

There are also some rumblings of Dwayne De Rosario coming back to Toronto FC. Honestly, I would love to have him back. I know he left the club in bad terms, but Toronto FC is run by entirely new management, and I get the feeling that most TFC supporters can put the bad things behind them and start anew. Age and injuries is starting to catch up to him, but I think he has a year, maybe 2 years still in him. If Tim Bezbatchenko can get him on a reduced salary, say around $150,000/year, then I think it will be a solid signing.

Looking at the big picture of Toronto FC as a whole, I don't think Tim Leiweke and Tim Bezbatchenko are only just building a competitive squad of players. I think they are reinventing Toronto FC. I haven't seen this sort of change to Toronto FC since Aron Winter was hired. Instead of trying to win the lottery and get foreigners, Leiweke and Bezbatchenko are getting proven MLS players to build the core of Toronto FC. I'll be honest, it's pretty difficult not to be encouraged by what has transpired at Toronto FC these past couple of weeks, and it looks like more is to come. I initially thought that Tim Bezbatchenko would be inexperienced in a General Manager role, but he has certainly impressed me, not just in the actions he was taking, but he manages to keep his mouth shut until after the move was made. He doesn't talk a big game, he just gets down to business, and I like that a lot. Sometimes what seems to be the most boring hire, could have the most impact on a club.

Finally, I want to say this. Toronto FC making the playoffs in 2014 will be a slap in the face to the likes of Tom Anselmi and Earl Cochrane (and to a very small extent, Paul Beirne). If Toronto FC were to make the playoffs in 2014, then it highlights what the real underlying problem was which plagued Toronto FC these last 7 years. TFC making the playoffs in 2014 will also be a slap in the face to the other "big men" that used to have their own visions of what TFC should be, like Mo Johnston, Aron Winter, and Kevin Payne. I'm not sure how Aron Winter's tenure at Toronto FC will hurt his future coaching and managerial career, but if Toronto FC happens to succeed, it will definitely hurt Mo Johnston and Kevin Payne's reputation, and won't help their chances of getting hired elsewhere. Also, wouldn't it be funny that if Toronto FC were to make the playoffs, it would be led by the least experienced Toronto FC coach, but that's assuming Ryan Nelsen doesn't get fired. It's Toronto FC. Anything can happen.

Regardless, these are optimistic times in the land of Toronto FC.

Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact: Media Gallery

Here are some photos and videos I took of the match between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact on October 26th, 2013. The reason why I went to the match this past Saturday was not to actively support TFC, but rather to observe what was left in terms of who was still supporting this team, and in terms of the current match day experience. The day was cold, rainy, and windy, but that didn't stop me from going to the match.

First, I have a couple of videos on the pre-game TFC supporters march to BMO Field. The numbers were quite small compared to supporters marches in the past, but they still brought noise and colour on their way to the stadium.

Here are also some pictures of that same march to BMO Field.

The next picture is of the visiting Montreal Impact supporters. There were a lot more visiting supporters than the picture shows, and they actually outnumbered the TFC supporters in the south stand corner. From where I sat in the first half, I sat closer to the TFC supporters sections, and the Impact supporters out-sang the TFC supporters for large stretches of the 1st half. The only time the TFC supporters were louder was right after Robert Earnshaw scored the only goal of the game. The Impact supporters were more organized and made their voices heard, which you couldn't say about the TFC supporters. That is actually quite embarrassing.

Here are a couple of photos of some banners that were shown at BMO Field.

Here is a photo of the south stand midway through the first half. It's a bit depressing looking at it, knowing that a few years ago, the entire south stand was packed to the rafters. The only way of that ever happening again is if TFC start consistently winning, and I don't think they are capable of that. Notice that sections 112/113 were somewhat full.

Around the 85th minute, Montreal Impact were losing 1-0. The visiting Impact supporters were getting a bit antsy, so they lit up some smoke bombs and flares in the away section of BMO Field. One guy also brought in what seemed like a firecracker or homemade firework. Stadium security wasn't pleased, and rushed in to apprehend the perpetrators. There wasn't much resistance, but the situation could have gotten much worse.

So there you have it, my photos and videos from the TFC/Impact match on October 26th, 2013. Hope you enjoyed it!

Time to Walk Away from Toronto FC?

Warning: This post contains some rambling. I just want to get all of my current thoughts about Toronto FC in this one post.

Note: I wrote this before I went to the final game of the season against the Montreal Impact. My experience at that match doesn't change my feelings listed here, but I may write a separate blog post about a few things I noticed about that day.

Before setting out to write this, I took a look at a previous blog post I wrote almost two and a half years ago about the club I once loved. Reading that post took me to a time where not only a significant amount of people in the GTA gave a damn about the club, but there was actually a resemblance of atmosphere at BMO Field. At the time, there were problems surrounding the club, but I had the hope that maybe, just maybe, the club could eventually be successful in Major League Soccer.

Fast forward to today. I don't think it will be possible.

I’ll admit, I had a small feeling that Toronto FC could have been in a worse state than it was in previous years, but I was completely shocked that it is now, a reality. To say that Toronto FC is a circus would be a complete understatement. Toronto FC sucks, plain and simple. I look at every aspect of this organization, and I shake my head. How can this club continue to screw it up after 7 seasons of existence? It boggles my mind. There is always constant change in the club, with more people leaving and coming in than I can keep track of. A coach and/or manager come in, talk a bunch of bullshit like how they are going to bring in “top-class talent” on ultimately overinflated contracts, and then fail miserably on the pitch. Lather, rinse, and repeat.

In terms of the players and management, I don’t need to remind you what has happened this year, but I lost interest as the season dragged on. Now TFC have their supposed shining savior, Tim Leiweke, who, like the others that preceded him, talked a big game about the future of the club. Leiweke hired Tim Bezbatchenko as the new General Manager, who is supposed to improve TFC’s management of the salary cap (which is pretty awful) through statistical analysis. It would be pretty interesting to see this fresh approach on managing the contracts of players, but he is inexperienced in a GM role and managing an actual roster. I don’t see much hope for him though, and I think he’ll probably be gone by the end of next year.

Unfortunately, Tim Leiweke still has faith in Coach Ryan Nelsen, a man who was hired by former GM Kevin Payne while he was still under contract at Queens Park Rangers and was arguably their best player for the first half of their relegation-bound season. The hiring reeked of an “old boys club” smell, as Nelsen had no coaching experience, and hasn’t taken any coaching courses. It became pretty evident soon after that he was out of his depth in Major League Soccer and the losing tradition of Toronto FC continued. I find it infuriating that Ryan Nelsen refuses to take the blame for some defeats, or criticize the team for poor performances when talking to the media (I can’t say if he actually does that in the locker room). What he constantly does, and continues to do, is find excuses for poor performances, usually by blaming referees for their performance in a match. I also noticed that Ryan Nelsen like to coddle his players, as he would regularly say that the players played well after defeats. I simply don’t understand why Tim Leiweke will keep faith in Ryan Nelsen when he clearly isn't good enough to coach in Major League Soccer right now. Ryan Nelsen needs to go, and in his place, bring in a coach with actual MLS experience. He makes Toronto FC feel like a “project” than an actual club.

With all the problems on the team level, I did go to a few matches this season. Honestly, going to TFC matches this season almost felt like going to a funeral. The stadium is nowhere near packed and the only people regularly making noise are the 20-30 supporters in section 111/112. This season, the match-day experience at BMO Field has been devoid of any atmosphere. People finally realize that the team is awful, and are simply not going to the matches anymore.

One major thing I noticed when going to TFC matches this season as opposed to 2007/2008, is that there is a lot more marketing. Now, marketing isn’t a bad thing at all. In fact, it is essential for a product to have some of marketing in order to attract customers. Whenever I went to a TFC match this season, I felt overwhelmed by all the promotions and branding going on at BMO Field. There’s the Budweiser King Club, the Purolator delivery of the match ball, Esquire added time, and the Scotts Turf Builder lounge, just to name a few. Another thing I noticed on match-day is that even though there has been a sharp decrease in attendance at BMO Field, I have noticed a rise in families and young children at the matches. I think one of the reasons for this is because of the increased marketing that Toronto FC has done in order to try and attract more fans and replace the ones that have left. I wonder if Toronto FC knows that the ultimate marketing tool in order to attract fans is to build a successful team. Oops, I let the secret out.

I haven’t got to the biggest reason why Toronto FC is what it is. The reason why Toronto FC has been so awful for so long is because their parent organization, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, has run the club into the ground. I’ve expressed my feelings about MLSE on multiple occasions on Twitter and on the blog, so I don’t feel the need to repeat myself (If you want to learn about Tom Anselmi and MLSE’s attitude about TFC, this article sums it up well). When I heard that Tom Anselmi was resigning from his position at MLSE and that Earl Cochrane would no longer be with the club (among others), I thought I would feel overjoyed. I initially had the hope that maybe things would slowly turn around for the club, but I don’t feel that way now. I believe that the higher-ups at TFC and MLSE have permanently damaged the club’s culture and reputation. What is the first thing a person might think of when they hear “Toronto FC”? It will most likely be something negative.

I feel so drained and defeated whenever I think about Toronto FC. This time of year, it seems like the only good thing TFC is good for is spoiling the playoff chances for other teams, rather than be in the playoffs themselves. I hear the same old thing from these new coaches and managers, and I sigh. The club is a mess, the attendance is sparse at best, and a significant number of supporters, including myself, are sick and tired of it all. I can deal with losing seasons, but it is such a constant and the club seems inept and incapable of getting it right and bouncing back. The club is perpetually stuck in quicksand, and I don’t think they will be able to get out of it at all. The new management is too worried about glitz and glamour (DPs) rather than actual substance (building a team) while talking about the Toronto Argos potentially moving to BMO Field and other things to anger supporters. I can’t take it anymore.

I don’t think I can support this team anymore unless I see a team and a club I can be proud of. In fact, a part of me wants this team to fold and go away.

What about the supporters? A number of people stopped going to the matches for various reasons, but there are still many who remain loyal to Toronto FC. I'll give them credit for sticking with the team through thick and thin, but when does it get to the point that the club is so completely inept that the TFC supporters who remain aren't just supporters, but a herd of sheep following the club into a deep, dark abyss of awfulness. I would just like to know why supporters would still support the team considering all the disrespect the club has given them over the years. Even with all this garbage going on, there are people still willing to support this team. I don't quite understand it. Maybe they are still holding hope? I don't know, but it is worth asking.

I’m not forcing you to support or not support the team, but I’ll make a suggestion. If you are a Toronto FC supporter, think long and hard about where this club is right now. If you feel that the club is still worth supporting, whether it is because you are optimistic about Tim Leiweke and company or because you literally have no one else to support, then do so. If, like me, you think this club is hopeless, and will probably fold before the club shows any sort of resemblance of a winner in the City of Toronto, then there are other things to occupy your time. 

I’m just about done with this team. It’s a shame because I thought that this could be a team I could be proud of many years ago. Now, I think it’s about a 0.001% chance that TFC can be a winning club. The only reason why I would want to go to a TFC match in the future is if I received a free ticket. I can't be emotionally attached to this club anymore until I see a club I can be proud of. Unfortunately, I don't see Toronto FC shaking off the stigma that has plagued the club over the years.

It’s a shame of what could have been if the club got it right.

The State of Toronto FC: TFC Win At DC, Terry Dunfield, And a Potential Friendly?

(Side Note: I know some of these events happened a little while ago, but I would rather cover all the pressing issues in one major blog post than write a separate small post for each event in the Toronto FC season)

Time I do another one of these things, but first, I just want to say some quick thoughts on TFC's win over DC United last Saturday. I am very happy that they finally broke their long win-less streak and came out as 2-1 winners. TFC's overall performance that night was decent, but when you are facing Major League Soccer's worst team this season, a decent performance is all you need. Let's hope that TFC builds on this win when they go to Houston to face the Houston Dynamo this Saturday.

About a week ago, Toronto FC midfielder Terry Dunfield was waived by TFC, and the opinions on his TFC playing career were divided. He wasn't as polarizing as Paul Mariner or Dwayne De Rosario, but his play has certainly led to much discussion among TFC supporters. Many TFC supporters had favorable opinions on him while many others were not so kind on his time at TFC. After much deliberation in my head and with others on whether Dunfield was a good or bad player for TFC, I have come to the conclusion that his negative qualities slightly outweighed his positive qualities. I'll talk about the positives first...

From what I understand, the quality that most TFC supporters will remember about Terry Dunfield is that he gives his all in every match that he plays. What he lacks in talent and skill, he makes up for it by working harder than any other man on the pitch. Relating to this, he is always applying pressure on the opposing player who has the ball or is about to get the ball, and more often than not, it has worked in Toronto FC's favor by the opponent giving away the ball. Finally, he has definitely showed some leadership qualities, whether through giving instructions to his fellow teammates on the pitch, or inspiring the younger Toronto FC 1st team and academy players.

Now, the negatives. His positive qualities almost always lead to his negative qualities. While his pressure on opposing players was good, he was constantly out of position in the midfield, which was directly responsible for some of the goals scored by TFC's various opponents. When Dunfield charges in, the opponent can pass into the space behind him to another player, which means that the defenders will come out of their position to challenge the ball, and it just becomes a domino effect of mistakes that leads to a goal. Dunfield is also not a very good tackler at all, and regularly receives warnings from the referee, or receives a yellow card. Finally, he is a player that generally lacks skill and technical ability in the middle of the pitch, especially when compared to Matias Laba or Jonathan Osorio. With the emergence of these two players to be mainstays in the Toronto FC midfield, as well as Dunfield being on the wrong side of 30 when it comes to his age, it doesn't make much sense to keep him on the roster. It was ultimately a good move to waive Terry Dunfield, even if Toronto FC doesn't find anyone to replace him.

Finally, there are reports coming out that Toronto FC is in negotiations to bring a "big name" opponent to Toronto for a summer friendly. The opponent is widely expected to be the popular Uruguayan club Penarol. Now, if it were up to me, I would never schedule friendlies during the season for TFC, as it produces unnecessary strain on the players by preparing for a match that is basically meaningless when they should be preparing for regular season matches. On the other hand, friendlies with big-name teams can be an extra source of revenue for Toronto FC, and can give them a bit of international exposure. Mid-season friendlies can also give reserve and young players some valuable experience. While I was reading this article, I noticed a certain quote by Paul Beirne - Toronto FC VP of Business Operations, which said:

“I had to look up who Peñarol were,”

I am going to try to give him the benefit of the doubt here. Maybe he genuinely didn't know who Penarol were, and that's fine. I don't believe it was the wisest thing to say that in front of the interviewer and then to let him quote you on saying that on the article. That idiotic comment was very arrogant and disrespectful to Penarol. A part of me hopes that Penarol pulls out of that potential friendly because of that dumb comment, but I doubt that will happen. Sadly, this wasn't the first time that Paul Beirne has made a questionable comment to damage the reputation (or lack there of) of Toronto FC on the business side. I honestly believe he should be fired, or at the very least, given a talking to by Kevin Payne on how to frame your words.

That's all I got for now...

The State of Toronto FC: Hey Look! They Conceded Late Again!

Now that I am home from university, I am finally able to make the pilgrimage to BMO Field to watch Toronto FC. I went to the May 18 match against the Columbus Crew, and just yesterday, I went to the match against the Philadelphia Union. Here are my thoughts on that match itself:

Positives

Tactically, Toronto FC actually played quite well. Instead of just booting the ball up the pitch like they always do, they kept the ball on the ground and made simple passes to create openings in the Union defense.  Why don't they play like this all the time? It was encouraging to see and I hope Ryan Nelsen continues to use that style in future matches. TFC also held it down well when they were down to 10 men. They cleaned up well in their own 18-yard box and withstood the Union pressure for most of the match.

Jonathan Osorio continues to be a bright spot in the TFC squad with his energy and creativity in the midfield (not to mention his awesome header). When I saw the starting 11 before the match, I questioned whether be would be able to bring some intensity throughout the entire match, but his performance put my doubts to rest. He deserves a starting spot in Toronto FC in the matches to come. I was also happy to see Danny Koevermans subbed into the match after his year out with a torn ACL. It got a standing ovation from the crowd at BMO Field, and even though he didn't score, I hope he reclaims the goal-scoring form he once had.

Negatives

They conceded late, again.

They were doing so well to keep the match 1-0 while down to 10 men, but once again, TFC let in a disheartening goal near the end of the match to lose two points. They couldn't hold on for another four minutes. TFC conceding late goals is nothing new, so there isn't much I can really add when everyone else has already stated their opinion on it. Maybe instead of trying to get new defenders on loan, Kevin Payne and Ryan Nelsen should look at the mental fortitude of the team. Just a suggestion.

There was also moments of madness and stupidity from Doneil Henry, with his altercation with the Union keeper to get his first yellow, and his dangerous tackle to get his second yellow near halftime. He has been scrutinized a bit this season, and for good reason. Even though he had some minor spells of good form, he does make some dumb decisions which have negative implications for the team. I know he is young, but he needs to focus better, and make better decisions in the heart of the defense.

Even though I was happy to see Danny Koevermans play again, I do question the substitution made by Ryan Nelsen. If you are trying to keep the win, you need to get another defender out there, not a striker, especially with TFC constantly conceding late goals. I strongly suspect that sub was merely to please the crowd, and not to win the match.

Other Thoughts

On both of my recent trips to BMO, when I looked over to the south end before the match, I saw that Toronto FC were using flares on poles to try to increase the atmosphere in the stadium. It looks incredibly tacky, and I think the TFC FO needs to stop this. If TFC really wants to enhance the atmosphere using flares, then leave the flares to the supporters, though this has some dangerous consequences (I may make a "flares" blog post in the future).

I am happy that I was able to make it out to BMO Field on two separate occasions, because it temporarily improved my general mood. When I left university, it felt like a part of me was lost, in the sense that I won't be able to enjoy going to class (I do enjoy it, lol) or see some of my friends. Going to BMO Field also made me forget about certain situations where I will not have the chance to gain anything from it. That void was filled temporarily by going to BMO, even though the results weren't what I had hoped for. I didn't feel very happy when I left university, and BMO Field was that escape that I truly needed. When Osorio scored that goal yesterday, it was the happiest I ever felt in weeks. Even though Toronto FC isn't a very good team, and I don't say very nice things about MLSE, watching TFC live is when I feel the happiest, and I am dead serious when I say that.

The State of Toronto FC - Same Old, Same Old

Been a while since I did something like this, but there are some pressing issues concerning Toronto FC that I really need to address.

Now that I am back from school for good, I am able to go to matches at BMO Field again, and I finally make my return this Saturday, May 18th against the Columbus Crew. There are a couple of reasons why I am going back to BMO Field this Saturday. As much as I like to talk about how MLSE is ruining the club, I do miss going to TFC matches at BMO Field. My love for TFC is much stronger than my hate for MLSE. The other reason why I am going to the match on Saturday is that I want to see how the atmosphere is nowadays, compared to previous years. I've been hearing from fellow supporters about how bad the atmosphere is at BMO Field these days, and it is something that I want to see with my own eyes. I want to see what 7 years of bad results, dumb management, and MLSE ineptitude and greed has done to this club.

I also want to use this blog post to address a couple of quotes made by a couple of TFC staff. After the Voyageurs Cup 2nd leg loss to the Montreal Impact, TFC VP of Business Operations Paul Beirne sent this tweet:

"Congratulations @JoeySaputo and @impactmontreal on advancing to the Final. Now do the right thing and keep that trophy in the east."

Are you kidding me, Paul? I am disappointed at your lack of consideration for the Toronto FC supporters in publicly congratulating the Montreal Impact on their blowout 6-0 victory over Toronto FC. I'm sure you and the Impact staff are friends behind the scenes, but if you are going to congratulate OUR HATED RIVALS, then so do in private. That tweet you made created negative publicity for the club. Ironically, you share the responsibility of trying to market the club in a positive light and promote good PR. Us TFC supporters were absolutely gutted for that embarrassing loss, and you had to go and say that? I'm surprised you weren't fired. You will never understand what it is like to be a supporter of Toronto FC.

Okay, next order of business, it seemed like TFC has signed Tal Ben Haim on loan from QPR (it has actually been announced by TFC), but as of today, it looks like it hasn't happened yet. The obvious question here is that why would TFC announce something has happened when it hasn't yet? The quote that had me hollering with laughter is when TFC President and General Manager Kevin Payne said this about the defender:

"Tal Ben Haim has been one of the top defenders in the EPL for nearly a decade"

What? No, he hasn't. Tal Ben Haim has been one of the worst EPL defenders for nearly a decade. Dumb, relegation-threatened EPL teams trust in him to try to help save the team, but ultimately, they go down (Portsmouth, West Ham, QPR). I genuinely do not know why Kevin Payne would say something like that.

With Ben Haim (and Steven Caldwell), it seems like Kevin Payne is trying to steady the back line and add some much needed experience, especially in the last minutes of matches. He is relying on over-the-hill, thirty-something players to try to make the difference for TFC, after he said he wouldn't. This will be interesting summer for TFC. Who knows what will happen...

Actually, I'm pretty sure TFC will continue to lose...

Toronto FC vs. Sporting KC: My Thoughts

The boys are back in town.

Today, I decided to come out of hiding and go the Toronto FC home opener at the Rogers Centre (or the Skydome, if you're old school and/or against corporatism) against Sporting KC. On the days leading up to the match, I honestly thought TFC were going to lose. Man, was I wrong.

I made my way to Real Sports to pick up some gear and to take part of the pre-match festivities, which consisted of a music ensemble playing some samba music, which I thought was pretty cool. There was a good crowd and a lot of people were fired up and in fine voice for the upcoming match. After the samba performance came the walk to the stadium, and every time I took a step towards the stadium, I felt myself become slightly more nervous, but I was in absolutely fantastic spirits the entire day.

So I get to the stadium, and take my seat. The Torsten Frings tribute was a nice touch from TFC, and to see him for the last time almost put a tear in my eye.The teams come out. The anthems are sung. The supporters warm up their vocal cords.

We're back.

The first half was great from TFC, good passing and lots of pressure, which lead to a mistake in the SKC defense, and Earnshaw capitalized in the 3rd minute to make it 1-0. Not long after, new TFC player Bostock earned a penalty in the box and Earnshaw slotted in the PK to make it 2-0. I couldn't believe it, a Toronto FC team actually playing well? Halftime approached, and I was as happy as I can be.

In the 2nd half, TFC expectedly got a little too comfortable, and Sporting KC went on the attack for the vast majority of the half. I was constantly distracted by little children trying to throw streamers next to me onto the  supporters section below (I was in 226, so if you were sitting in 125-127, you will have seen at least 20 streamers fly down during the half). Distractions aside, SKC were getting frustrated and things started to get a little chippy, with a few pushes and shoves here and there. SKC got a goal back, but TFC did enough to earn the 2-1 victory and get their first win since July of last year. Brilliant.

There was an apparent incident in the 2nd half where I noticed a lot of reddish smoke coming from the supporters section right below me. My initial thought was that someone lit a flare or a smoke bomb, which explained the increase in security personnel on the floor and in my section looking down. If you're going to bring stuff like that and get caught, own up to it and pay the fine. You have to accept the responsibilities.

Overall, it was a fantastic day, and I hope this Toronto FC team builds on this win which will hopefully lead to more wins or a winning streak. Let's enjoy this win.

The boys are back in town, and I couldn't be more happier.

My 2013 Predictions for Toronto FC

2012 was a year to forget for Toronto FC.

9 straight losses to start the season under Aron Winter (which lead to his sacking) and the season ended with a 14 game winless run under Paul Mariner. I don't even want to mention what happened in between, but this season in particular drew a lot of anger from the majority of TFC supporters, myself included. Although TFC management have tried to calm the growing anger and apathy from TFC supporters by lowering season ticket prices and hiring Kevin Payne to take the helm of TFC's football and business operations, there is unfortunately, a toxic fan culture and a deep division between the supporters who stand by TFC management/MLSE, and the supporters who have recognized the faults of the club and are pressuring for change.

Taking into account everything that went on last season (and past seasons), and along with my own judgment, I have compiled a small list of general Toronto FC predictions for 2013. I'll be making some serious Toronto FC predictions, and some outlandish TFC predictions for the new year. I won't waste any more time, so here we go.

Serious Predictions:

Toronto FC will do better than last season (obviously) but they will once again miss the MLS playoffs in their 7th season of existence. After a string of bad results, Paul Mariner will be fired by TFC President Kevin Payne at around the middle of the season, much to the delight of the majority of TFC supporters. The next head coach that TFC brings in will perform noticeably better than Mariner, but he won't be able to get TFC into the playoffs. After watching the performance of the new head coach, TFC supporters will once again be optimistic for the 2014 MLS season.

In regards to the Voyageurs Cup, Toronto FC will beat the Montreal Impact in the semi-final, but they will not win their 5th straight Canadian Championship because they will lose to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the final. This will be one of the factors that will lead to Paul Mariner's sacking in the middle of the season.

Earl Cochrane will give a recommendation to Kevin Payne about a player that "impressed him" and that player will be signed by Toronto FC. That player turns out to be an unmitigated disaster. TFC supporters call for Cochrane to be fired, but he will still keep his position.

Outlandish Predictions (don't take these seriously):

- Eric Hassli will become the MLS top scorer for the 2013 season with 22 goals. He will be labeled a legend by TFC supporters, but not as much of a legend as Danny Dichio.

- An investment group from Abu Dhabi offers to buy Toronto FC from MLSE, with one of the promises to supporters being the installation of a roof on the BMO Field stands. MLSE refuses to sell.

- Bitchy the Hawk breaks loose from her tether and kills a seagull in the middle of the BMO Field pitch. The crowd erupts in jubilation, as the players run for cover from her wrath.

And there you have it, those are my serious and outlandish predictions for 2013. The 2013 MLS season will be interesting for Toronto FC, that's for sure.