Toronto FC Thread

[Skybean]

I think De Guzman needs to cut off his afro, or there will be some aerodynamic issues.

[Taller, Better]

I've been meaning to post this all week. link:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...rticle1510006/

Toronto to host 2010 MLS Cup

Fans attend the 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and West Ham United at BMO Field July 24, 2008 in Toronto, Canada.

Fans attend the 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and West Ham United at BMO Field July 24, 2008 in Toronto, Canada. 2008 Getty Images

Source confirms that BMO Field will be the site of the league's first championship game to be held outside the U.S. on Nov. 21

Paul Attfield

TORONTO — From Wednesday's Globe and Mail Published on Wednesday, Mar. 24, 2010 3:57AM EDT

It’s taken three long years, but Toronto’s Major League Soccer faithful will finally get to witness a championship club at BMO Field this season.

Of course, only the most diehard of supporters would expect it to be Toronto FC – still awaiting their first playoff appearance entering a fourth season of play Saturday – but come Nov. 21, Major League Soccer will crown its champion in Toronto when the MLS Cup is played outside the United States for the first time.

A league source confirmed this week that the 15th MLS season will conclude in Toronto this fall, a welcome reward for an organization that has spent upward of $5.5-million this off-season on various renovations, including the installation of a natural grass pitch, improved dugouts and extra seats behind the north goal.

The MLS head office in New York City wouldn’t reveal yesterday which other cities had lodged bids to play host to the championship game, but ESPN Radio reported last month that the New York Red Bulls were in the process of submitting a bid to hold the event at its brand new, 25,000-seat Red Bull Arena, although MLS commissioner Don Garber indicated yesterday in a conference call that it is instead the prime contender for 2011 or later.

In the same conference call, to discuss the league’s new labour agreement, Garber was non-committal about Toronto playing host to the game this year, but did sing the city’s praises, saying, “Toronto certainly is a good prospect for MLS Cup. They have the same dynamic that is in Seattle, fans who are passionate about the sport.”

Seattle held the 2009 final – won by Real Salt Lake in a penalty shootout over David Beckham’s star-studded Los Angeles Galaxy – in the Sounders’ inaugural year, and it certainly helped the bottom line: Seattle and Toronto were the only MLS clubs to make a profit last year, according to Garber.

Toronto FC have proved to be a hot ticket during their first three years in the league. Owned by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which also controls the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors and has also bid to hold the NHL all-star game, TFC have sold out 56 consecutive games at BMO Field, recently expanded to roughly 21,800 with the addition of the north end stand.

The facility is also no stranger to holding major soccer events, having been host of the 2008 MLS all-star game, which generated approximately $23-million in tourism for the three-day event, as well as an exhibition match between Toronto FC and nine-time European champions Real Madrid last August, estimated to have added another $10-million worth of tourism. In addition, BMO Field was the main facility when Canada was host of the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

It is too early to estimate the financial impact of holding the MLS title game – which traditionally caps off a week’s worth of festivities – but a hometown presence would obviously do wonders for the bottom line. However, in their final season as the league’s lone Canadian club – the Vancouver Whitecaps will be brought into the fold in 2011 – Toronto FC would appear to be an extreme long shot to even make the playoffs, let alone go all the way to the championship game.

New coach Predrag (Preki) Radosavljevic steered Chivas USA into the postseason in each of three years at the helm of the Los Angeles-based MLS club, but with TFC, after a preseason to forget and a squad that still seems to be lacking a few key pieces heading into Saturday’s season-opener at the Columbus Crew, it would take a brave man to bet on the Reds taking to BMO Field on Nov. 21.

[HipHopCanada]

Wonder if the tickets are sold out. This is great news!

[Tuscani01]

Actually, the league said that is not the case. No decision on who will host the 2010 MLS cup has been made yet, and when it is, we won't know until April 15.

There is no news of Toronto hosting the 2010 MLS cup anywhere on Toronto FC's website or the MLS website either.

Fingers crossed though!

[Taller, Better]

Originally Posted by Tuscani01

Actually, the league said that is not the case.

Did the league say it is not going to be in Toronto, or have they just not officially confirmed the location yet?
Even if they have decided, they will say that no decision has been made until they officially announce it.

[Tuscani01]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

Did the league say it is not going to be in Toronto, or have they just not officially confirmed the location yet?
Even if they have decided, they will say that no decision has been made until they officially announce it.

They are still in the process or something like that. I remember reading it in the Star a few days ago. Ill see if I can dig it up again.

[Tuscani01]

Signs point to MLS cup game in Toronto
Published On Wed Mar 24 2010

Star Staff
Major League Soccer claims this morning that a decision has yet to be made, but all signs seem to point toward holding the MLS championship game in Toronto this year.

The 2010 MLS Cup is slated for Nov. 21st.

A report in Wednesday’s Globe and Mail, quoting a league source, said the decision has already been made and Toronto’s BMO Field is the spot.

This morning, MLS spokesperson Dan Courtemanche said the league is still considering four cities, but declined to name them.

Later, another league source said the finalists for the final are New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Toronto.

L.A. has already hosted the big game three times. Philadelphia will only debut in the league this year. New York? New York is the sort of place where soccer games held during NFL season go to disappear.

Like the NFL, MLS schedules its final ahead of time — unhappy Leafs/Raptors/Jays/Argos fans should not get confused and imagine that a Toronto team is now bound for a big tilt. The odds of Toronto FC making it as far as the final seem remote at best.

But Toronto’s rabid fan base and dearth of championship games in any sport make the city seem like obvious hosts for the big game.

More telling is the date of the announcement.

Courtemanche said a choice on the host city will be made by April 15th. That happens to be the same day Toronto FC plays its home opener against the newbie Philadelphia Union.

[Taller, Better]

Just caught the tail end of a blurb on CP24 but it appears they have confirmed Toronto for the location on Nov 21!

[ladyscraper]

It is confirmed. They had the press conference announcing it today.

[Taller, Better]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...rticle1517233/

Toronto confirmed site of 2010 MLS Cup


Toronto mayor David Miller poses with the Major League Soccer Cup after an announcement was made that the city will host MLS's championship soccer game, the 2010 MLS Cup, at BMO stadium. Reuters

Championship game to be played outside of the U.S. for the first time



TORONTO — The Canadian Press Published on Tuesday, Mar. 30, 2010 12:18PM EDT Last updated on Tuesday, Mar. 30, 2010 4:06PM EDT

In its short history, BMO Field has hosted some top-flight soccer events.

There was the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2007, Major League Soccer’s all-star game in 2008 and an appearance last year by powerhouse Spanish club Real Madrid.

The latest addition to the list might be the most ambitious given the timing.

MLS announced Tuesday that the league’s championship game — the MLS Cup — will be played at Toronto FC’s home field on Nov. 21.

With an 8:30 p.m. ET start time, fans at the lakefront stadium will likely need to wear several layers to protect themselves from the chilly winds off Lake Ontario.

A dumping of snow is also a real possibility.

“We’ve never had to deal with that before,” said commissioner Don Garber. “Snow is a different issue than rain. Snow is actually easier to manage than rain. You can play, you can plow the field. If the field gets too flooded, you can’t play on it.

“So we’ve got to hope to get lucky.”

New stands are being added to the three-year-old stadium that will boost capacity to 21,800 and natural grass is being installed this month to replace the artificial turf.

Garber said while the possibility of snow makes him a little nervous, he’s confident the game will be a success.

“I think we’ve got to the point where we can get past that,” Garber said of the weather. “Up here our fans are going to come out in rain, snow, sleet or sunshine.

“Hopefully we’ll have a good day.”

Work crews have already started laying down Kentucky bluegrass on the pitch, which is expected to be ready for Toronto FC’s home opener April 15 against Philadelphia.

“It wasn’t the main factor but I don’t think that we could have done it without the installation of grass,” Garber said. “If it’s cold and wet, that’s a bigger challenge on turf than it is on grass. So when they made that commitment and they expanded the stadium, that was a big part of closing the deal.”

New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia were also in the running to host the game, which will be played outside of the United States for the first time. Real Salt Lake defeated Los Angeles in last year’s MLS Cup at Qwest Field in Seattle.

The hub of activity and MLS Cup headquarters will be at Maple Leaf Square, a new $500-million development adjacent to the Air Canada Centre.

Garber said while there were many factors that went into the decision, the package that came from the partnership between the city and the team put Toronto over the top.

“All the events that we hope to have over at Maple Leaf Square and the promotional opportunities,” Garber said. “And it’s good to bring an event like this, for us, up to Canada. We’ve got big plans in this country.”

Vancouver and Portland will join the league as expansion franchises in 2011.

Information regarding MLS Cup ticket sales will be announced at a later date. Toronto FC season ticket holders will have priority.

The chances of local fans cheering on their home team in the big game are slim. Toronto FC has yet to make the playoffs in its three seasons in the league.

“We can dream,” said Toronto FC executive vice-president Tom Anselmi. “It’d be great to be in it. But let’s make the playoffs first and then just see what happens.”

The lack of a winner hasn’t stopped Toronto FC fans from coming out. Every home game has been a sellout in the club’s brief history.

Notes: Garber was also asked about the possibility of adding more Canadian teams, specifically Montreal and Ottawa. “We are actively engaged with Montreal,” he said. “We’ve got to try to do what we can to close that deal and if that gets launched in 2012, then I think there’s an opportunity for other markets.” . . . Toronto Mayor David Miller was also on hand for the announcement. . . . Toronto is the ninth city to host the MLS Cup in the league’s 15-year history. . . . Over 46,000 fans took in the Real Salt Lake shootout victory in last year’s MLS Cup.

[Canadian Chocho]

We better get to the final!

[Taller, Better]

Let's revive this thread.
http://tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=321405

DE ROSARIO LEADS TFC TO CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP WIN OVER IMPACT

The Canadian Press



MONTREAL -- A tight game turned on one lightning moment for Toronto FC's Chad Barrett and Dwayne De Rosario.

Barrett's low blast from the right side was tipped by diving Montreal Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan to red-hot De Rosario on the left for a blast into an open net in the 74th minute to give Toronto FC a 1-0 victory in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship on Wednesday night.

Defending champion TFC beat Montreal 2-0 in Toronto on April 28 and has six points from two games, with a pair of matches remaining against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the three-team, round-robin tournament. The winner gets the Voyageurs Cup and entry into the CONCACAF Champions League.

"We knew they'd be tough here," Toronto coach Predrag (Preki) Radosavljevic after his team's first away win of the season. "They're experienced, they know how to play together, but we were ready mentally and physically."

It was De Rosario's seventh goal in as many matches this year and his second against the Impact. And it brought the knot of TFC fans in the southwest corner of the grandstands to their feet.

"I saw the ball was rolling to Nick Labrocca and I just started a run," Barrett said of the goal. "He played a great first-time ball over the top.

"The defender overcommitted, so I brought the ball back, gave myself a better shot and Jordan made a great save, but DeRo cleaned it up. He brings so much more than his goals. He brings leadership. He's a pleasure to play with."

TFC, now in their fourth season, have five wins and a draw in six games all-time against the Impact. TFC plays in Major League Soccer, while Montreal and Vancouver play in the USSF Division-2, although both will join MLS in the next two years.

Montreal coach Marc Dos Santos said De Rosario's goal underlined the edge TFC has over his club.

"I think the teams are very equal," he said. "But the difference between the USSF and MLS is that they have one or two players that can, at a certain moment, make the difference."

He lamented that late in the match, striker Peter Byers had the ball in almost the same spot as Barrett, but sailed it to the far side of the field instead of putting it on goal.

"Making the Champions League was one of our objectives this year, but that's over," added Dos Santos, whose team was champion of the United Soccer Leagues last season. "Now we have to worry about winning the USSF title."

Montreal has one point from three games, a 1-1 draw in Vancouver, and has one game remaining against the Whitecaps.

It was a bizarre night, with most of the city focused on the Montreal Canadiens' 5-2 Game 7 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL playoffs.

Attendance at 13,034-seat Saputo Stadium was announced at 10,737, but the facility was more than half empty. Hoots from the seats went up each time the Canadiens scored as fans followed soccer on the field and the hockey on their mobile phones at the same time.

"It was a bit weird," said Montreal defender Nevio Pizzolitto. "But we're rooting for the Canadiens as much as anyone."

The best chances in an uneventful first half came in the 29th minute when Toronto's Martin Saric headed over the bar and O'Brien White headed a Sam Cronin corner just wide in the 41st.

White was front and centre again in the first 10 minutes of the second half, as he was thwarted on the rebound after Jordan made a diving save. In a wild scramble inside the Montreal box off the ensuing corner kick, White had a shot from seven yards blocked by a defender.

White then left the game with what looked to be a foot problem and was replaced by Labrocca.

The TFC defence anchored by Adrian Cann and Nana Attakora allowed the Impact few openings, although 'keeper Stefan Frei had to be sharp as Rocco Placentino headed a throw-in from Byers on goal in the 27th minute.

"There was good communication among the back four and the midfield -- we kept the gaps fairly narrow," said Cann, whose team also got a strong game from Nick Garcia playing at left back.

TFC's Maxsim Usanov was show the yellow card in 14th minute when he took down Placentino from behind. Usanov was substituted at half time for Barrett.

The Whitecaps visit Toronto May 19 and the round-robin tournament ends June 2 when TFC visits Vancouver.

The Impact wore pink shirts and socks for the Canadian Championship.

NOTES: Montreal was without striker Roberto Brown, who was suspended by the team after he shown the red card against TFC in Toronto on April 28. Defender Adam Braz and forward Reda Agourram also served suspensions for red card against Vancouver May 5. Agourram was given an extra game by the CSA that will be served against the Whitecaps May 26. . . Toronto's Ty Harden scored but also rolled an ankle against Montreal and is still out. Da Gargan, w

[thicken]

well... ive been to toronto for a while and i did not find any person that realy cares about soccer!

[ladyscraper]

Originally Posted by thicken

well... ive been to toronto for a while and i did not find any person that realy cares about soccer!

You were talking to the wrong people then.

[Taller, Better]

Originally Posted by thicken

well... ive been to toronto for a while and i did not find any person that realy cares about soccer!

Soccer is definitely more popular in Canada than ice hockey is in Brazil!
When did you visit Canada?

[vhricardoebay]

I think people like soccer in Toronto... maybe because the city have so much portugueses, brazilian, italian etc..

[vhricardoebay]

Obs:

ice hockey dont exist in Brazil!

[Taller, Better]

Originally Posted by vhricardoebay

Obs:

ice hockey dont exist in Brazil!

I know.
My point was that the relative popularity of sports varies from country to country.

[vhricardoebay]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

I know.
My point was that the relative popularity of sports varies from country to country.

Yes!!

I know!!! hehehhe ok!!

just my idiot comentary

[Taller, Better]

Wow, this thread is not so popular this year. Anyhow, this was on tonight.:
http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer...ps-celtic?bn=1

Manchester United thumps Celtic
Published On Fri Jul 16 2010



Jonny Evans (right) of Manchester United and Marc Fortune of Celtic battle for the ball during the first half Friday night.

Jonny Evans (right) of Manchester United and Marc Fortune of Celtic battle for the ball during the first half Friday night.
TARA WALTON/TORONTO STAR




Daniel Girard Sports Reporter

For Manchester United, it had been two months between games and — at times — it showed.

Passes often lacked crispness. There were few runs of significance. Most of the key players, those who actually made the trip from Europe, logged less than 60 minutes.

But for the fans who more than half-filled the Rogers Centre Friday night, little of that mattered as United defeated Celtic FC 3-1 in a friendly which had no shortage of entertainment value.

Even this early in the pre-season, players from two of the game’s most recognizable teams produced enough plays to draw appreciative oohs and aahs from the crowd, which was announced as 39,139 but appeared to be much smaller than that.

“The first game is never easy,” said manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who is using a four-game tour of North America as the training camp ahead of United’s quest to capture a 19th Premier League title and break the record deadlock with arch-rival Liverpool at 18.

“All our games against Celtic over the years are very competitive,” said the fiery Scotsman, who said he spent Thursday visiting with family from his dad’s side who live in the Toronto area.

“There’s never a lot of difference between the two teams because it’s the old Scotland and England thing.”

The opening 45 minutes, like the team jerseys in the stands, was dominated by the guys in red. Man U, one of the planet’s most valuable sports trademarks, took the play to Celtic despite leaving its half dozen World Cup participants, including England’s Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra of France and South Korean Park Ji-sung, at home.

Ryan Giggs, the “Welsh Wizard” and United’s all-time leader in appearances, only played the first half. But his deft side-footed flick to set up a good chance for Gabriel Obertan on the edge of Celtic penalty area offered a glimpse of his brilliance.

United striker Dimitar Berbatov, who was selected man of the match, brought the red-shirted supporters out of their seats, opening the scoring in the 34th minute. He cut across the Celtic penalty area, settled a Mame Biram Diouf cross with his right foot and in the next step thumped a low, left-footer past goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska.

While outnumbered, the supporters of Celtic, 42-time Scottish league champions, also made themselves heard, particularly in the second half as Greek international Georgios Samaras came on and made an immediate impact.

Fresh off Greece’s World Cup appearance, the tall, bearded striker appeared to have tied the score in the 49th minute with a header but it was ruled offside. He would draw Celtic level just over 10 minutes later, however, thumping a penalty kick past a diving Edwin van der Sar in the 61st minute.

The goal not only brought the Celtic fans to full throat on behalf of their team — and prompted United supporters to get the loudest they did all night in response — it seemed to inspire the Glasgow side, which carried the play for the next quarter of an hour.

But in the end, United’s Berbatov was the difference. He slipped a perfect cross to Danny Welbeck in the 79th minute for an easy sliding tap-in from 10 yards.

“There’s no question his performance was excellent,” said Ferguson of the Bulgarian Berbatov.

Tom Cleverley added the insurance in the 86th minute when his long-range attempt deflected off a Celtic defender and past a helpless Zaluska.

Despite the defeat, Celtic manager Neil Lennon was pleased with his side’s performance.

“For 75-80 minutes, our performance was very good against one of the top teams in Europe,” he said of the club’s second of four matches on a tour of North America.

Asked if he was surprised or disappointed the stadium was not sold out, Lennon said no.

“The players enjoyed it,” he said. “It was a great atmosphere from both sets of fans.”