Ian Palmer


Toronto FC were an MLS success story before they had even kicked a ball. Off the field that is. On the pitch it’s been a different story as the third-year team continue to struggle while the expansion franchise Seattle Sounders look a sure bet to make the playoffs. Ever since this club was born three years ago it has been consistently inconsistent.

Because the Toronto are raking in money left, right, and centre, they are now becoming more of a target for criticism from the media and fans alike. A lot of the mud is being slung in the direction of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE) who own the club. The hugely successful company also own the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team as well as the Toronto Raptors basketball club, and the fans have seen how those two teams have been run into the ground recently, especially the Maple Leafs, who haven’t won a cup in 42 years. Many football fans in Toronto desperately want to see their team make the playoffs this season before they fall into the same losing rut as the city’s other major teams, which also include the Toronto Blue Jays baseball club.

The Toronto franchise didn’t make a lot of friends in town from the start after the City and taxpayers built BMO Field, Toronto's home stadium, and MLSE conveniently took over the management of it after contributing  only $8M towards its $62.5M construction. 

The stadium itself was also the subject of some verbal abuse as it seemed to be slapped up in a hurry. It literally started falling apart as some of its construction bolts started dropping from the stands during games in its first year of existence. There is also no fan cover whatsoever from the elements and the aisle ways in its belly are extremely dangerous due to overcrowding at half-time and following games. It also has a press box which has an obstructed view. On top of that, the stadium’s pitch is made of artificial grass and many players’ have called for it to be replaced by the real thing.  And it was…… once, when Real Madrid came to town this summer, to the tune of $250,000. Of course the $200 fans paid for tickets offset that cost. There is light at the end of the tunnel though, as a grass pitch may be installed next season.

However, despite obvious shortcomings, the franchise was welcomed with loving arms when it kicked off in 2007. In fact, it has proved so popular that the 20,500 seat stadium is packed to the rafters every game with 16,000 season ticket holders and those who are lucky enough to find seats. There are also about 14,000 fans on the waiting list for a season ticket.

Supporters didn’t expect much in the first season and that is exactly what they got with former Rangers and Celtic striker Mo Johnston taking on the dual role of coach and general manager. Johnston didn’t seem to have a clue how to attack and led Toronto to the MLS’ longest goalless streak at 824 minutes and the longest goalless streak to begin a season at 558 minutes. The team also had a bad habit of giving away penalties and late goals as well as receiving numerous red cards.

They ended the season in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with six wins in 30 games, while drawing seven and losing 17. Johnston had such a poor season behind the bench that the owners of some of the worst teams in pro sports relieved him from his coaching duties before the club’s second season and “promoted” him to director of soccer.

Former Newcastle United, Leeds, and Luton coach John Carver took over, and while he fared a little better, he still wasn’t the answer fans were looking for. Carver baffled many with his team selection, substitutions, and tactics and Toronto finished seventh again last season. Carver resigned early last season amid some controversy and a full explanation as to why was never given. The club would only announce his departure was due to personal reasons. However, rumours spread that he didn’t get along with Johnston. Carver was also fined by the league for criticising the referees four days before he quit and it was reported that he wasn’t happy with the support he got from the club over the incident. Former Watford and Luton Town youth coach Chris Cummins then took over the reins.

This season could still be salvaged though, as Toronto currently sit in ninth and needs to reach eighth to make the playoffs. Because of the inordinate amount of draws in the league, the teams are sitting in a logjam and three points could vault Toronto a few places in the standings. They have made some positive moves by signing Ali Gerba, Julian De Guzman and Dwayne De Rosario, three of Canada’s top players. De Rosario has quickly become Toronto’s second-leading all-time scorer with 13, and will likely reach number one by season’s end. The club’s all-time leading scorer, Danny Dichio (14 goals) retired recently and took a coaching position with the club. His retirement basically opened the door for the newly-signed De Guzman.

With Marvel Wynne, Chad Barrett, and Amado Guevara also in the lineup, the squad has some talent, but needs a coach who knows how to use it. While the team has cut down on penalties against and red cards, they are among the worst in the league at conceding late goals and also have a poor away record. This has cost them dearly. A lot of it has to do with Cummins’ bizarre substitutions and negativity in trying to protect leads instead of trying to build on them.

The team has also had some other quality players in the past such as Jeff Cunningham, Maurice Edu, Tyrone Marshall, Ronnie O'Brien, Rohan Ricketts, Laurent Robert, Greg Sutton, Olivier Tébily, Marco Vélez, and Conor Case. But for a struggling franchise they inexplicably let most move on prematurely after failing to use them properly and get the best out of them. Especially baffling, was getting rid of Cunningham, who is the third-highest scorer in MLS history with 112 goals. What made matters worse was the fact Toronto gave up Alecko Eskandarian and a first-round draft pick for Cunningham , then basically gave him away to Dallas for a third-round pick. Trading away Conor Casey, who is the league’s top scorer this season with 13 goals in 18 games for Colorado, is also a head-scratching move after only giving the striker two games to prove himself in 2007.

It is moves like these, combined with weak coaching and scouting, that have many Toronto fans wondering if this team will ever live up to its potential or if it will just become another cash cow for MLSE.

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