Red Bulls Gave Us Wings

On a lovely early summer night on Toronto's waterfront, TFC got a much needed shot of confidence with a workmanlike, yet often scrappy, 2-1 win over New York.

Readers on our previous website will remember our irreverent match recaps written by our trusty reporter in the South End. Not to worry, those will return later today, with the regular dose of unique insights into the matches as viewed, and heard, amongst the supporters.

Until then, a few observations on T.O. vs NY. New TFC defender Nick Garcia showed what 10 years MLS experience can bring to a back line. No mistakes and great positioning could easily qualify the CB as Man of the Match. After the match Garcia stated: "Obviously we can do better because if we play Russian Roulette all the time of, ‘Hey, let's drop back' as opposed to taking it to them, we're going to get burned." Hopefully his advice will register amongst teammates and coaching staff and our death-defying Torontonaccio style won't return.

Hard work led to goals from Sam Cronin, who cleaned up a missed Amado Guevara penalty kick, and the legend himself Danny Dichio, whose long range effort was on the back of a robust Pablo Vitti counter-attack. A Brazilian robot was wearing Kevin Harmse's uniform as the number 5 had a very solid game with some very technical crosses and runs. Surely that wasn't the real Kevin Harmse! Chad Barrett was subbed in late in the game and kept his performance levels consistent - no shots, no goals and his only impact was stopping the score from going 3-1 as his talented feet got in the way of a goal-bound TFC shot.

Private box sightings included the much-rumoured Ali Gerba, who may sign with TFC, unless he actually walks on the turf, and Julian DeGuzman who may sign for this team in 7-10 years time. The favourite shot on the TV highlight packages last evening was showing MLSE brass including Brian Burke sitting amongst the great unwashed wearing TFC scarves. Precious. I care why?

Finally, how fantastic did that turf look? With the pitch already resembling green polyester slacks, the lacrosse lines from earlier in the day actually started to glow under the lights as the sun went down. It was like one of those black-light velvet paintings of a jaguar and a wizard from the 70's. Groovy. Embarrasing.

Next stop - Montreal. Maybe if we start selling Saputo-brand mortadella and provolone sangwiches at BMO they'll let us have 4 goals! And yes, I said sangwiches.

"Wanna Buy Some Grass?"

Over the last few days the hypothetical dream of getting real grass at BMO Field has once again been floated. Apparently this hypothetical grass issue will be raised with the City Of Toronto at a hypothetical meeting set for this autumn. If it all goes well at this hypothetical meeting, our new hypothetical grass will hypothetically be laid in time for the 2010 season so that our very hypothetically improved football club can begin play on it as soon as possible.

Since we are obviously working in a framework of maybes, let's look into a hypothetical future, say sometime in the autumn, and have a peek at a completely hypothetical text message exchange between an MLSE big-wig and a high-ranking city official. Hypothetically of course.

Tom$$$: Yo, D! We @ MLSE want to put grass down at BMO! We luv soccer!

MayorDave: LOL!

Tom$$$: Why r u laughing???

MayorDave: Oh, u r serious? Gr8! No prob! Gr8 for T.O. You remember the big $ lease agrmnt. right?

Tom$$$: Which part?

MayorDave: T.O. gets a central all-year practice field...

Tom$$$: OMG that's pricey! We r not made of $!!!

MayorDave: LMFAO!!!

Tom$$$: Why u laugh?

MayorDave: Well u kind of r made of $$$.

Tom$$$: Hey, credit crunch and all that Dave-O.

MayorDave: Sorry T-Money, its in the agrmnt. and its for the peeps of T.O.

Tom$$$: OK, wot if we build 1 in deepest, darkest Etobicoke and maybe you pay for some of it?

MayorDave: Ummmm....

Tom$$$: Oh just forget it Dave!!! We tried our best!!! THE CITY WON"T LET US HAVE GRASS!!! WE R THE VICTIMS!!!

The above exchange is purely fictional and is no way based on any factual events or accounts. Resemblance to actual exchanges and texters is purely fictional. And hypothetical of course.

BREAKING NEWS: Nothing.

Pehaps Mo Johnston was misquoted when he said he would have "answers to all the questions..." the other day. Perhaps he continued quietly under his breath "... the questions you already have answers to." Perhaps Press Conference now means 4-minute post practice scrum where the press lobs Mo creampuff questions and he treats them like incoming root canals. Or, perhaps Mo Johnston and his MLSE co-horts are such masters of spin and damage control that their honesty is on par with Chad Barrett's goal scoring prowess.

With TFC fans awaiting a "State of the Union" style presser with hard answers to hard questions, Mo instead chose to sardonically mumble his way through the scrum with the usual dazzling array of cliches and corporate doublespeak which we have come to expect since the first season. The highlights, if you would dare call them that, went something like this:

- Nick Garcia is a great defender who was San Jose's team captain; he plays 90 minutes a game (isn't that his job?); he should play on Saturday; blah, blah, blah

- Ali Gerba will hopefully attend Saturday's game; hope to have him signed on Monday or Tuesday (never heard this before - wait until he tries the turf); money issues not a concern; tried to sign him before he went to MK Dons; blah, bloody, blah

- He's got another piece of the puzzle on his radar (too bad his radar system only covers the lower end of the Scottish and English leagues); blah

- He also added blah, blah, f***ing blah

In short, after promising to clear the air after some awful results and fan protests, Mo delivered the same, tired "everything is going to plan" rubbish that we know and hate. No doubt, spin-central at MLSE Head Office had their knowing hands all over this but the sad truth was driven home so brutally once again: Mo Johnston and MLSE think that you are stupid. Will supporters prove him wrong or will the Scottish porridge be swallowed up again until the next crisis?

THE STARTING 11: Unexpected Announcements at Tomorrow's Mo Johnston Press Conference

The shy and unassuming TFC Director of Soccer, Mo Johnston, is set to hold a "State of the Union" address at BMO Field tomorrow. For those of you who can't wait to hear what our trusted straight-talking leader has to say, hear are some possible surprises that may be delivered avec Scottish brogue:

11. Striker dilemma solved as wonder kid Andrea Lombardo re-signs after apparently riding the Dufferin 29 bus back and forth since his release.

10. Next year's friendly: Rangers vs. Celtic vs. Toronto. Johnston will suit up for all three clubs followed by the First Annual Carlsberg Fan Pitch Invasion!

9. DP signed! Dill Pickles now on menu at BMO Concessions!

8. Breaking News: Chad Barrett almost scored on an open net during Wednesday's training session. Contract extended for another 4 years.

7. Results of Mo's latest South American scouting trip: Brazilian girls have sweet behinds and there's a great new restaurant near the Maracana Stadium.

6. Johnston has been avoiding the press up until today to unveil his new Adrian Serioux-style hair-do!

5. Sol Campbell to sign and be named Captain. Will then move on a free transfer to arch-rival Montreal.

4. Loyalty pricing for Real Madrid improved. Instead of 1 for $125, South End seats now 2 for $250!

3. Aberdeen attacking midfielder Jamie "Tampax" Smith joins TFC - immediately injured for remainder of season after hurting hand during contract signing.

2. Fan protesters to receive special apology coupon - 5cents off your next Chip Butty!

1. Due to Credit Crunch - 5 Year Plan extended to 10 Years.

Ali Bomaye!

When it rains it pours. Months of transfer silence was shattered at BMO Field when, as reported earlier, TFC picked up defender Nick Garcia and the Discovery Rights to Canadian International forward Ali Gerba from San Jose Earthquakes.

Ali, who is built like a rather small tank, was last seen plying his trade in exotic Milton Keynes with The Artists Formerly Known As Wimbledon - MK Dons. The 27-year-old scored a healthy 10 goals in 24 appearances for "The Franchise" and became a fan favourite at Stadium:MK but failed to secure a new contract. There is rumoured interest in Gerba from other lower tier English clubs but he would likely be able to command more of a starter's role with Toronto FC. Gerba had two previous stints with Toronto Lynx and has scored 11 goals in 24 appearances with the Canadian National squad despite Dale Mitchell.

TFC Director of Football, the shy and modest Mo Johnston, has hinted that a quick contract resolution with Gerba would be optimal. When reached for comment, TFC fans said "No sh*t Sherlock." So what do you think TFC supporters, are these positive moves or desperate reaction to a growing fan backlash? Are these crumbs enough to make you go back to buying $9 beers?
Leave your comments below!


In other Gerba-related news, Chad Barrett will be working on his new technique - watching the game from the bench.

Greg Sutton Released!!!

Toronto FC has released goalie Greg Sutton after acquiring defender Nick Garcia and the rights to forward Ali Gerba from San Jose.

Toronto sent its third round pick in next year's MLS draft and undisclosed financial considerations to the Earthquakes in the deal for Garcia and Gerba.

Sutton had been with Toronto FC since its inception in 2007. He was 0-1-1 this season after losing his starting job to rookie Stefan Frei.

Garcia helped the Earthquakes rank as one of the best defensive teams last season and played every minute in San Jose's first 12 games this season.

TFC Supporters -The Biggest Fish?

A few years ago when MLSE announced the purchase of an MLS franchise, many football fans in Toronto, myself included, suspended the usual MLSE-bashing due to the sheer excitement of being awarded a real team in a major league. After a few days I thought "well that's great but surely they will screw this up". I envisioned cheerleaders, a big fluffy mascot and a terrible name such as Toronto Strikers, T-Rexx or Ex-Treme! However, as we know, MLSE actually did things right. A real club name, proper kits with a sponsor on the front and an atmosphere at our real football stadium which was cultivated along with the supporters and not forced down our throats with canned cheering and animated clapping hands telling us to "Make Some Noize!!!". They even hired a football man to run the show. Surely the snickers we heard from NY Red Bulls fans about his appointment were just jealousy - right? For those of us who had grown up attending matches abroad in established leagues, we finally had a club of our own. The disbelief continued to be suspended.

The massive waves of excitement surrounding the club's first season did little to quell our appreciation to the previously maligned corporation. Most of us had suppressed that little voice in our head telling us that we were inevitably going to become "Leafs on Turf". Despite the terrible football of the first couple of seasons, the majority of us had a level of forgiveness towards MLSE and knew they wouldn't dare pull the same stunts they had been doing with Leafs and Raptors' fans. Right? It was in the second year though when cracks started to form. Promises of exotic players from South American scouting trips; big investments with the cash we got after selling our most promising player; not-so-subtle hints of a DP in the days leading up to season ticket renewals; and grass - beautiful real green grass to lure great players here. Supporters couldn't help but get excited but these promises disappeared as mysteriously as they appeared - coming and going on the wind depending on that week's results. TFC win: no need to say anything. 3 losses in a row and no goals: rumour has it an International captain/Brazilian wonder kid/World Cup hero is in town on trial and he drove in on a truck with fresh real grass and a construction crew to expand BMO Field. For supporters who were reading between the lines - cracks were emerging.

As Season 3 approached, the purchase of Dwayne DeRosario gave us a whisper of optimism but not long into the campaign, the cracks became larger and more evident. Halfway through the 2009 campaign, it is fair to say that things have gone from glass half-full to grass half-empty quickly. At the time of writing, our tough talking coach, John Carver, abruptly quit under very odd circumstances; the massive holes in our back line are only overshadowed by one of the worst strike forces ever seen in professional football; our pitch looks like a green pair of old man's slacks and now has very visible lacrosse markings on it; our Director of Soccer only appears once a year like a groundhog (except his appearance usually marks 6 weeks until the end of a season without playoffs) and he somehow can't find any suitable players to fit within acres of cap-room; we are all but eliminated from CONCACAF Champions' League by lower division rivals - again; and most obviously, TFC seems to be hitting it's annual mid-season collapse. Sadly, these are not the worst things happening at Exhibition Place.

The most alarming development has been the gradual gap which is widening between the club and its most loyal supporters. The close relationship which was seemingly cultivated for three years has been damaged badly by the Real Madrid friendly-fiasco. The money grabbing move immediately undid MLSE's image as a patron of football and TFC and exposed them as the same group who have been fleecing Raptors' and Leafs' fans for years. The insertion of one-day-only grass has even angered their star player DeRo who feels disrespected by the move. Add to the list a feeling from certain supporters that players aren't as available as they were before; pushing of Marlies' tickets onto ticket packages; hard line security crackdowns at the stadium; blaming the City of Toronto for every ill of the stadium despite having a lucrative lease which no doubt comes with a level of influence; and worst of all, the inevitable fact that in a few short weeks, 2010 ticket packages will be announced with the equally inevitable price increase.

These frustrating facts can only make the loyal supporter ask - was MLSE's good will and football-friendly decision making truly benevolent or are we in the middle of a 3-year marketing plan that has reeled us in to the point where our loyalty to the club is being used against us? Is the real corporate monster about to be unleashed with the supporter's only remaining choice being go to matches and revel in mediocrity or say goodbye to a club you've taken on as your own? It is at MLSE's peril if they take that route because as much as their bottom line would have them believe now, Toronto FC are not "Leafs on Turf"and the casual football supporter will not wait 44 years for a cup.

Match Report: Toronto FC 1 - LA Galaxy 2

Toronto FC fell to their 3rd consecutive defeat to the LA Galaxy.
Danny Dichio scoring for TFC. Marco Velez more of a goat than a Chivas. Beefcake (pictured above) hasn't decided if MLS is beneath him or not yet.

The South Stand Report: Toronto v. Seattle

What an f'ing cold day. I said to my buddy that if Toronto wins, we could be in a blizzard and we'll all go home happy.

Now ask me why I remember how cold and windy it was.

In the strangest scenario I can think of, the early season kinda hot Toronto FC are having their home opener against the hottest team in the league, new boys Seattle Sounders.

How is it we didn't see our first victory for about 4 or 5 games, and they're undefeated?! What the hell happened here? With my voice recorder busted, predictions ranged from a 1-1 draw to 2-0, 1-0, 3-1 for Toronto.

The supporters, fresh off their humiliation against Columbus (police department, *cracklecracklecrackle*) are in full voice singing the same 4 songs that have served us well. We debut our De Rosario song much to the delight of mid 113.

Seattle are without Moreno, ace goal scorer and unknown entity, due to an injury which really is about a charge against him of sexual harassment.

Toronto look listless and confused. I lay part of the blame on the demi-cyclone we were in because of the 'route 1' style of footie which required the ball to be punted long distances in the air. However, Ricketts was largely absent from anything positive, "The Chad" Chad Barrett has all the makings of a good striker without any of the accuracy one requires to perform well, and our defenders are brutal. Harmse didn't have a clue where to go it seemed.

Regardless of the fancy details, Seattle thumped the reds 2-0 in a very deserved victory. They played tight zonal footie, short passes and shredded the defense. Keller was rarely tested in the Seattle goal, which upset me as we didn't get to do our impromptu Helen Keller song (he's deaf, he's blind, the balls gone in behind, Helen Keller... Helen Keller...).

Quote of the match : "It's nice that I pay $300 a year to come and hang out with you guys because clearly the footie isn't worth it."

Man of the Match : De Ro.

Goat : Everyone else (short of Sutton) who clearly gave up around the 86th minute. Hustle disappeared.

Editorial: I For One Welcome Our New Coaching Overlords

I think the world of Mo Johnston. I mean, the man who had to flee Scotland because he had to be the first transfer between the Old Firm has taken a lot of crap for one career, but he came to MLS, hopes anew and BAM! He's a genius.

Say what you will, but the man knows how to build a squad. He knows how to draft. Hell, he must LOVE the draft. No longer limited by other smaller clubs hanging on to talent waiting to cash in on the real value of the their posessions, he just patiently waits his turn, shuts up and picks... Maurice Edu. And Jozy Altidore. And so many others. I'm surprised more foreign managers with an eye for talent haven't infiltrated the managerial ranks of MLS. It's so easy. Just have to be in the right place, right time, right eye.

And what an eye.

The most important off-season move that TFC could possibly make has already taken place : Mo as a focused North-American-style General Manager. He's no longer coach. He sticks to strengths. He'll have us in a wealth of talent in 5 years. Moving out Eskandarian will prove to be worth the gamble.

Amongst the Yorkie's faithful last season, there were calls to sack MoJo. I felt that if MLSE were to do so, it would be a tremendous mistake. What he did at the talent level was like the Miracle Worker with the added bonus of teaching Ms. Keller to become a top fighter pilot. You cannot deny some of the moves that improved the squad immediately. And the goal-keeper situation was a mix of luck and faith. With the minor exception of Djankovic, our carousel of goal keepers was nothing short of beyond expectation.

Tactically, MoJo was anemic at best. Granted, when the team was firing, they played some mighty fine football, but that was an issue of heart than tactic. How many times did we witness the failure of a 1-2, or the open man on the left side who either could not get a ball, or was afraid to move forward when he was the only player in that side of the pitch. I've seen better footballing sense from the AI in Winning Eleven/Pro Evolution in doing a 1-2, and that AI is really tactically numb.

So this puts us at the new gaffer. Honestly, anyone can be tactically better. As long as John Carver can allow for some fluidity and imagination amongst the 11 reds week in, week out, I firmly believe we can be sniffing at a play-off spot by round 25. The team has talent without a shadow of a doubt, it just needs to be put to good use.

I welcome Comrade Carver and his regime in search of glorious goal for good of whole team.