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I received a few sad sideways looks yesterday – the kind that you get when a beloved family pet passes away. In our tiny apartment we barely have space for the girls' extensive collection of shoes, let alone cats or dogs so I was a bit perplexed as to what was causing people to look at me in such a morose fashion. It turns out that news had broken yesterday of David Beckham's call-up to the England squad, which may cause him to miss the LA Galaxy date at BMO Field. Some friends who know that I work at the stadium but have yet to grasp the fanaticism with which Toronto FC is received, can be forgiven for assuming I could be suicidal and the team is about to fold. They can't be blamed that most media tidbits only focuses on this one player's star status while largely ignoring the wider intriguing facets of our club and league. Good news: I am still alive and our offices are very much open. We even went on sale today for CONCACAF club matches commonly referred to as "Canada Cup" and everyone from season seat holders to office staff seem generally upbeat and looking forward to what should be a dynamic national competition for a berth in the Champions League. The reason why the potential of the England news isn't bothering many can be summed up by Danny Dichio's assertion that in Toronto we have "football fans." They understand that the other team playing without their best player increases the likelihood of those invaluable three points so badly needed in a competitive league with playoff implications. That matters more to football fans and they generally do not look upon "tourist fans" too kindly. After all, this is a Toronto FC match, not the "Beckham Game" as many have so unfortunately dubbed the May 31st encounter which will be shown live on CBC at 3:30p.m. Personally, I am also hoping Landon Donovan will be quarantined at Pearson Airport if not for a routine checkup, but for his painstakingly long drawn Nomar Garciaparra-like ritual before taking penalty kicks. I can only assume he performs this routine before stepping on the tarmac. I know some custom agents read this feature, TFC is counting on you. Should this scheduling conflict cause the mini-Galácticos to arrive without their captain, it will mark the second year in succession (of a five year contract) in which Mr. Beckham did not suit up against TFC at BMO Field. He could still possibly play in the All-Star Game hosted by Toronto on July 24th barring England duties or an appearance on Snoop Dogg's reality show. But, does this really matter anymore? I can't imagine our fans, the very same ones who challenge us quite often on authenticity (we don't play on real grass), care very much that one visiting player won't be coming to "Our House" where the men in red are the true stars. When it comes to entertainment, Toronto is a demanding city. We expect big stars and big draws. In that sense, the news of the England friendly announcement was a disappointment. However, our fans have told us time and again that TFC for them is too important to be over-hyped and brought down to a level of vulgarity that often ruins the soccer experience in North America. From the start, early ticket buyers conveyed to us that they want the authentic experience. They didn't want some mascot in a funny suit to entertain the kids. Children should watch the game just as their parents did when they were young at Ibrox, Celtic Park or La Bombonera. They didn't care for that ever familiar American distraction at sporting events – cheerleaders. Our fans made their own chants and songs. Indeed the most popular women at BMO Field continue to be the young ladies at the Carlsberg beer cart – not because they dance, but that other than football and the pulsating roar of the supporters, the most important action on the grounds continues to be the satisfying pour of a 20oz. Tuborg. Our fans also wanted the name and logo of Toronto's soccer team to be undeniably classical in look and presentation. The demand for merchandise tells us that we've delivered in that respect. On the message boards, the fans generally don't seem to care that LA could be without their right sided midfielder and this is encouraging for more than what it means for TFC on the pitch. It tells the city that this club is not a gimmick that so many nay-sayers still wish to deem it; that TFC has moved out of the shadows of that January 11th, 2007 signing of the world's most well known one-man football brand; every TFC Major League Soccer game is sold-out and demand for season tickets is longer than the line-up at Honest Ed's for a holiday turkey giveaway. Torontonians certainly want bang for their buck, but they are not fickle. The challenge to all of us, fans and staff alike as May 31st approaches, will be to shrug off the media's intense focus on a particular Galaxy player whether he is here or not, and show that it's not what this game is about. It's about three points and our opponents leaving Toronto discouraged, disillusioned and defeated. We all have what we want in an authentic soccer experience and each one of us is clutching it tighter everyday and that's more important than manufactured hype. TFC is bigger than any single player – never mind if that player actually plays for a different club – and always will be.
It's early days yet but the first fifth of the 2008 MLS season shows an alarming disparity between Eastern and Western Conferences. The clubs in the East are competitive and piling up early points that could prove instrumental in October when the final two wild card spots are doled out - in addition to the top three finishers in each conference - that will be poised for playoff rounds. Considering every team that is currently below Toronto FC in the Eastern standings made the playoffs last year, the need to keep the momentum going is paramount. It is likely that New England's prospects will brighten once marksman Taylor Twellman returns; New York has already shown us that they are tough to move; and DC United have too many good players to be where they are at the moment. Knowing this, Toronto will have to keep looking over its shoulders and build on its strong start. But what's happening out West? Two-time defending MLS Cup champions Houston Dynamo lost strikers Nate Jaqua and Joseph Ngwenya to clubs in Austria but that shouldn't have stopped the sun from rising over Southeast Texas. Every soccer analyst in North America is baffled as to how this powerhouse team is winless in its first six matches. ESPN's soccernet coldly described their goal scoring woes last week as follows: "Pele, who hasn't played in 30 years, has as many goals this year as Brian Ching and Dwayne De Rosario." That's mean. Funny, but mean! Another Western team that has been a puzzle is David Beckham's (MLS has threatened to sanction the Kick About for not meeting the name-drop quota) neighbour Chivas USA. This club won the Western Conference last year thanks largely to the play of Maykel Galindo. But instead of scoring goals this year, the former native of Cuba has chosen to accrue a collection of yellow cards (3 in 6 matches) and Chivas already sits five points behind a wildcard spot. One club that I can't help but follow out west is San Jose - but with some malice in mind. Having scored only 2 goals so far this season, if there is any club out there that can break Toronto's infamous 824-minute goal drought, it's San Jose. They are at approximately 210 minutes so far and with games against Columbus, New England and Houston in the coming weeks, that number could well approach 500 - giving Toronto fans a glimmer of hope to erase that mark of infamy. While we look to maintain and solidify our league position, Toronto fans are also getting understandably excited about the oncoming Champions League qualifiers against Montreal and Vancouver of the United Soccer Leagues. Pachuca Club de Fútbol of Mexico just wrapped up their second CONCACAF Champions Cup in successive seasons, walking over TFC conference rivals DC United in the process. Getting a chance to play clubs like Pachuca in the Champions League will be immense for Toronto's players and supporters but we must win the national battle first and that competition will prove tough and emotional. Although I believe our fans will support TFC through thick and thin, these are proud days to follow the club as a new wave of confidence has swept through BMO Field in recent weeks. Amado Guevara's dribbling and Laurent Robert's set pieces will keep Toronto supporters shouting while consuming copious amounts of Carlsberg to wash down a chip butty or two. But nobody should take any of our conference opponents for granted no matter where they are in the table today. The games will pile up at mid-summer and each club's depth will be severely tested. As I wrote above, it is early days but we are in a good place and hopefully this pace will continue in establishing a new norm for Toronto.
Last couple of weeks the supporters' group message boards greeted my modest weekly feature with a slight nod of approval. Defending our acronym (don't call us "FC") and the observations on some local media's inability (or unwillingness) to cover a great Canadian story that's taking place at BMO Field were well received. I thank the regulars for their kind words. But I am afraid this week they may not welcome my musings as openly as they previously had. However, my conviction is very strong on this subject and I welcome the ensuing debate. Although for the sake of civilized discourse I certainly hope that vulgarity will be kept to a minimum. A debate has recently brewed about the "right" to stand during matches in any section. In areas where patrons specifically expect to sit and enjoy the match, a few fans have decided that they ought to stand up and emulate the wonderful atmosphere of the Supporters' Section, albeit in small numbers, but throughout the entire match. The spirit of their decision is well intended and it is lovely to see that kind of passion. But in terms of courtesy and the well being of other TFC fans that are sitting behind them who are much larger in number, the actions of a few are proving to be highly inconsiderate. After all, the fans sitting behind them who are now unable to see the field made a trip to the grounds for football, not to watch people dancing in their line of sight. I consider myself a true football fan and more importantly a huge TFC supporter, having followed this club from its unveiling - not unlike many belonging to U-Sector and Red Patch Boys - Toronto's most prominent supporter organizations. Since I work for this club, I don't get to stay in one spot and watch our games, unlike our fans that I envy on match-day. I see the south-end bouncing up and down and have always thought that I belong there with the people who create our atmosphere. To that extent I own seats in Section 113 which I am forced to handover to friends and family for each match due to my game day operational commitments. Before I relay the tickets I let the recipients know that they should expect to stand during the entire match if they care to get a good view as is the nature of the south side. I've never had someone tell me they have a problem with this, some even feel privileged to be among Toronto's famous supporters. The south side expectation or its experience is not the case everywhere in the stadium nor was it ever meant to be. Section 127 (North End Elite) evolved in a similar manner where standing has become mandatory for a decent view but nothing else has been sanctioned and nor are there plans to move in that direction elsewhere. Most of the fans that prefer to sit in the more timid sections have been season ticket holders from the beginning. When they had a chance to choose from any section, they specifically chose their seats understanding the south-end isn't where they could enjoy a match from and, during relocation, they stayed away from section 127 for that very reason. The people who sit are much derided and sometimes denounced as not being "real" fans even though they love the game and they adore our club. But to some their shortcoming is that the "sitters" may not feel they can express these feelings in song while standing for the full 90 minutes. Well, many also don't like to say "I love you" to their significant other all the time, it's just understood. They wanted to be away from potentially obstructive areas when they purchased seats and they too have rights. Seeing their sections becoming a persistent standing area while helplessly losing their sightlines is not how any fan should experience BMO Field. Fans who are insensitive to this must understand that they are the offending party, not the fans that simply chose to sit. Personally I am a bit more partial toward those who don't abuse their "right" at a TFC match to inconvenience others. I like to think most practical people feel this way. During the U-20 World Cup and the Canada-Costa Rica friendly last year I realized that I actually like to sit during matches. I still got up frequently during important plays and moments of electricity that almost involuntarily forced me to my feet. Then the play moved on and I sat back down fully expecting to be back up again at the next great movement, an outrageous referee blunder, an awful dive or the sight of a beer vendor who would be my best friend up to the 65th minute service cutoff. In the time that I was sitting, at no point was I less enthusiastic than those around me. If I knew any of the wonderful Spanish songs, I would sing along; had Canadian supporters thought of anything to sing or chant during the Canada-Chile affair, I would boisterously join the chorus; I sincerely doubt anyone was a louder and more passionate spectator during the U.S.A.-Austria quarterfinal match in the rain than I was. I am certain that I am a real fan and I found that I could achieve this without persistent standing. The intention of this week's feature is not to take anything away from the fervent support that every coach, player and fan in the TFC family expects and loves about a Toronto game at BMO Field. John Carver loves it; Danny Dichio praises it; Marvell Wynne's mother was amazed by it. We would never think of muting the fanatical support at our grounds. But my appeal is to the sensitivity of our most zealous supporters along the 'All for One' motto that our club adopted from its inception. It no longer just applies to the various cultures in the city but also to the diverse ideology of our fans and what constitutes true support. Let's not debate any longer who "real" fans are but rather respectfully embrace the needs of all who enter BMO Field supporting our beloved football club. People will have to make compromises but nobody should be entitled to infringe on the match-day experience of another Reds supporter. It's an issue of basic respect and civility and I hope the best fans in North America will be leaders in this area. A new edition of The Kick About will feature regularly every Tuesday - holidays and Guitar Hero showdowns among writing staff notwithstanding. |
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