No offence Max but you don't know what the hell you're talking about. Fan support for Toronto FC is through the roof; just ask the Fire about their first game at BMO. Support for the MLS as a whole is not quite niche, not quite widespread. It's somewhere between the NHL (hockey) and the NBA (basketball). Here are a few links that should hopefully give you some idea of what the atmosphere is like at a TFC game:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RmFnMxppiVI All we are saying, is give us a goal! We hadn't scored a single goal in the MLS at this point.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XQvz01OKrsA First goal ever!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_XVAvZt8sR8 And as called by our Latin American friends
I, myself have 4 season tickets that I will never part with. These are intended to be passed down to my children and grandchildren over time. Apparently 14,000 others feel the same way. We currently have a 5000-6000 season ticket waiting list with talk of stadium expansion as soon as next season to accommodate another 5000. I have 7 other friends that are willing to buy season's as well. If all goes well we'll have access to a good 8 block of tickets; if not we'll have to pay an insane sum in order to get it no doubt.
My passion for the game can best be summed up in this little post of mine from BigSoccer.com:
| Quote: |
Look, personally, I think it's very simple. I'm loving every minute...no...every second of this and I'm taking it all in. Jerseys, scarves, ringtones, wallpapers, underwear, diapers, bottled water etc. If it has TFC on it I want it and I want to be around other people who feel the same way. I have to be at BMO field 2-3 hours before every game because Saturday only exists now for the sole purpose of losing my voice in support. Period. Everything else on that day is secondary. Apparently Sunday will eventually have to take on those same characteristics in a few weeks as well. Post game is reserved for celebration, regardless of outcome. A loss will obviously involve a somewhat different mindset. But I also understand that we're the new kids on the block. I can only hope that we maintain this kind of support for as long as a team such as DC United has. They've been here since the league's inception and have gained my admiration and respect in the process. Their support is unwaivering and the true measure by which all teams should be compared. My hat's off to you! I cheered for you in the CCC btw.
For all of that and much more all I can say is thank you to the MLS for granting us the right to field a team in your league. So far the experience has been nothing short of spectacular. I mean, think about it. Up until now we've had to support clubs internationally through television and internet broadcasts. For the lucky few, a couple of thousand dollars and you were off to wherever to watch your favourite EPL, Serie A, or La Liga club play along with 50,000 other screaming supporters. That's all changed now. Not only can we support our international clubs, but now we have our very own professional football club right at our doorsteps; SSS included! Season tickets? Absolutely, and just like that a tradition is built. Mornings are now reserved to prep for afternoon games; opposing team' stats have to be reviewed for further insight and potential targets for abuse ; hours need to be spent on rebuttals in forums; coolers have to be filled; songs have to be sung and so much more! So much so that I could fill these pages for days.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that this league has some immensely competitive teams producing some fantastic football right in our very own backyards. It's something that every supporter should embrace. I know I have as have 20,000 or so others in this town and tens of thousands of others in this league. We all want the same thing; the chance to cheer on our very own football club. MLS and TFC for life! |
There it is in a nutshell. As for Beckham, I think the man is a credit to the game. He is an extremely humble professional who has my respect and admiration. As a dead ball specialist, few have his precision. Don't expect him to singlehandedly "save" the league though. No, the MLS is doing fine and will grow on its own over time. I for one, am confident that it will eventually join the ranks of La Liga, Serie A and the EPL but I'm not naive enough to believe that it will happen overnight. It might take decades but that's ok because I'm in it forever. As I said earlier, MLS and TFC for life!
