Toronto FC Discussion Thread

[LittleOzzy]

Horrible, awful terrible career move by Michael Bradley if he does end up going to Toronto.

It's starting to sound like 6 years, 1 million per with a 10 million dollar transfer.

He's going to be with TFC for a very long time.

[LittleOzzy]

I haven't been to a single TFC game, how is the experience? I'm hoping to go for the first time this summer.

You'll enjoy it if you sit near the supporters section. You don't need to be in it to feel their impact on the game.

Arrive early and just enjoy the atmosphere.

[huskerdu]

I haven't been to a single TFC game, how is the experience? I'm hoping to go for the first time this summer.

A LOT of fun. And a big part of that is because of the fans. The atmosphere is great but my only gripe used to be that the team wasn't every good.

That all looks to change now.

[theSkinny]

I haven't been to a single TFC game, how is the experience? I'm hoping to go for the first time this summer.

A LOT of fun. And a big part of that is because of the fans. The atmosphere is great but my only gripe used to be that the team wasn't every good.

That all looks to change now.

I had season seats in year 1.... I am expecting a repeat of the level of fun this year.

[onetwothree]

Ok, out of all the hopeless Toronto sports teams, Toronto FC seemed the most hopeless. Not any more.

Just an indication of how quickly things shift in sports.

Toronto FC has resigned home MLS legend, De Rosario while making one of the highest league bids in a previous EPL striker allstar, Defoe. I believe they are also making a bid for Roma's Bradley who is a superstar in the US national team, I dont know if its official.

Toronto FC did not have a draft pick this year and they had one of the worst records in the league. Very hopeless indeed. But now they are suddenly a serious contender.


A couple things I want to get out of this.

1. Toronto FC was the 4th most likely team to win a championship behind the raptors, leafs, and blue jays. Now they are the first.

2. Toronto FC was more hopeless than Toronto Raptors at the end of BC era ( no draft pick, out of playoffs, no cap space), suddenly they are a contender. With MU we suddenly have cap flexibility (this is probably the only thing he has done since he got here) I believe it is the most important part of succeeding in the NBA becuase more teams won championships becuase of free agents than because of the draft. (boston celtics, miami heat in recent memory) So if Toronto FC did it being even more hopeless than us, I believe we can do it as well.

3. All Hail TIM LEWEIKE

I mean seriously, even the thought of any of the 3 sports teams owned by MLSE contending was a dream before TL joined in. Now we have upper management backing of spending money to establish a winning culture. It's still very early in the campaign but we are already seeing signs. The first sign was the hiring of MU (the sheer willingness to spend what he spent on salary to lure him here more than anything else) and now Toronto FC revamp (the toronto fc manager, coach, and now players). Oh and of course the allstar game next year. Talk to a marketing expert and he/she can explain the value that has in creating a buzz around the city, fixing our brand and most importantly attracting free agents.

Because of Tim Leweike, the future of Toronto sports teams ( and specifically the Toronto Raptors) is very very bright. If nothing wacky happens, this could potentially benefit our sports teams for decades!

[Mattd97]

viewtopic.php?f=266&t=820987&start=885

[BLOCK905]

Soccer is probably the easiest thing to turn around though.

1) MLS is a second-tier league, so money talks and MLSE is probaby the biggest corporation backing an MLS team.

2) Soccer is the most international of all sports, and many players would more then likely prefer to locate to Toronto versus somewhere in the US (other then LA/NY maybe) compared with sports like basketball, baseball, hockey to an extent (there are tons of other big canadian hockey teams too, i realize MLS is over canada but not backed by something like MLSE.)

3) If we could go buy andrew wiggins right now im sure MU and the board would be all over it. Soccer has weird FA rules lol. Its like comparing the Raptors while there was an NBA ALL STAR League and we just were able to bid and sign the two best stars in the league above ours..

Still give them props though, esp with word on a bigger stadium expansion it could be the start of something.

Ill thrown in that there probably isn't better value for professional level sports in Toronto or even close to it, I remember tons of my soccer loving fans got seasons the first year and it was dirt cheap.

Plus when I lived down by cityplace there were always tons and tons of TFC supporters walking the streets pre-post game with gear head to toe, a cool sight looks like way better support when there out then we get at even leaf/bluejay games.

[IMAN5]

IB4TL

[LLJ]

Toronto karma history seems to be that when you spend a ton, you end up missing the mark by a lot. When you try to tank, you start winning.

[Bankai]

Blue jays? Oh wait.. seriously alex went all in too soon, now he had no assets. I can see something stupid screwing with this team, like the new guys struggling to play on the turf.

[kidr1211]

Doesn't the MLS league = China/Europe for basketball lol?

[JohnnyFlame]

Doesn't the MLS league = China/Europe for basketball lol?

Actually the level of play in the MLS has steadily improved. The league itself seems to be very well run and they are expanding at a reasonable rate. Sure they ain't nowhere near the EPL but they are far from a joke now. They are on the rise. With Gilberto, Defoe, Bradly and DeRosario all in the mix methinks TFC are going to be very entertaining to watch.

Whitecaps games are already pretty good viewing especially if they are up against Seattle and Portland(two good teams with great supporters).

You know IF TFC actually puts a winner on the pitch they are going to see a populace that is starved for success latch right on to their bandwagon.

[carl_english]

Not falling for that again..let's see what they got when the whistle is blown.

[22haytham22]

Doesn't the MLS league = China/Europe for basketball lol?

In between Europe and China.

[and1GS]

Horrible, awful terrible career move by Michael Bradley if he does end up going to Toronto.

It's starting to sound like 6 years, 1 million per with a 10 million dollar transfer.

He's going to be with TFC for a very long time.

Eh, contracts don't mean much in soccer. Definitely a career killing move though, wouldn't be surprised if Klinsman starts subbing him more moving forward.

[miruss2001]

Whoa now. If spending money translated immediately to success, the Nets would be 10 games over 500 by now.

Moving in the right direction for sure, but it's easy to see stars when lying in the gutter (stolen from Wylde)

[Dr Positivity]

The Bradley signing seems huge. The guy is 26 and they got him from Europe?

Rogers is using TFC as a springboard like the MLS used Beckham. It's not just about putting TFC on the map for Canadian ratings, but getting the audience into the entire MLS league. The upside of MLS for ratings is huge with the growing number of Canadian teams.

[LittleOzzy]

Toronto Signs Dwayne De Rosario

Toronto FC announced Thursday that the club has signed midfielder Dwayne De Rosario following his selection in Stage Two of the MLS Re-Entry draft process last month. As per team and league policies, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Dwayne’s resume speaks for itself. The addition of an MLS veteran with regular season and MLS Cup MVP honours brings a significant piece to the team we are building here at Toronto FC. Dwayne’s impact will add considerable skill and depth to our squad and we look forward to having him serve as a mentor to our younger players,” said Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “Dwayne has had a tremendous MLS and National Team career. He has very strong ties to the team and the city and it is only fitting that this is how his story should unfold.”

De Rosario, 35, completed this past season with D.C. United, where he appeared in 24 matches, scoring three goals and adding two assists. While with D.C., the Scarborough native netted 23 goals to go along with 21 assists in 68 MLS contests and was named the 2011 MLS MVP and MLS Golden Boot recipient on the strength of his 13-goal, 12-assist season.

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2014/01/to ... de-rosario

Jordan Hamilton Joins First Team

Toronto FC announced Thursday that the club has signed KIA Toronto FC Academy forward Jordan Hamilton as a Homegrown Player. He becomes the ninth player in club history to sign for the first team. As per team and league policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Jordan has progressed year after year in our Academy and deserved this opportunity,” said Toronto General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “We are pleased to bring him up to the First Team and complement our Academy staff for their contributions to Jordan’s development as a footballer.”

Hamilton, 17, appeared in ten matches, scoring nine goals for the KIA Toronto FC Senior Academy Team in the OSL Elite Men’s League this past season. Hamilton originally joined the KIA Toronto FC Junior Academy Team in 2011 at the age of 15. During the 2012 season, Hamilton and the Junior Academy Team were finalists in the 2012 Generation Adidas Cup in Seattle; Hamilton scored three goals during the tournament.

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2014/01/jo ... first-team

Toronto FC to partner with Wilmington Hammerheads of USL Pro

Thanks to Duane Rollins over at Canadian Soccer News, Toronto FC fans may have gotten their first idea of where the likes of Manny Aparicio, Jordan Hamilton, Quillan Roberts, and Emery Welshman will be playing this year. According to a report by Rollins, TFC are set to announce a partnership with the Wilmington Hammerheads of USL Pro as part of the growing relationship between that league and MLS.

The reported partnership would open the door for up to four TFC players to go on loan to the USL club for the duration of the 2014 season. Such a move would allow the four young Canadians to actually have the chance to get meaningful minutes that will be crucial in continuing their development.

If the announcement of such a partnership is on the horizon for Toronto FC it would explain the reasoning behind the signing of Jordan Hamilton to a home grown deal on Thursday. The 17-year-old forward was unlikely to get any minutes with the first team in 2014 so having the ability to send him out on loan to get that playing time is a huge plus. Signing him now also ensures that TFC did not lose him to another club as the forward was drawing interest following his impressive showing at the U17 World Cup last fall.

http://www.wakingthered.com/2014/1/9/52 ... of-usl-pro

[dat90zKiD]

in before Blue Jays 2013 season.

[LittleOzzy]

The Bradley signing seems huge. The guy is 26 and they got him from Europe?

Rogers is using TFC as a springboard like the MLS used Beckham. It's not just about putting TFC on the map for Canadian ratings, but getting the audience into the entire MLS league. The upside of MLS for ratings is huge with the growing number of Canadian teams.

It's true, they are making a large investment in TFC is hopes that other teams around the league will do the same resulting in better ratings all around for their coverage.

Other then baseball, the summer is pretty wide open and I think both Rogers and Bell are looking to MLS to fill the void.