Sports & Play
Toronto FC Home Opener: Great Fun
Watching the newly born Toronto FC play their home opener was incredibly exciting. Despite many chances to net their first team goal, the TFC were were shut out by the visiting Kansas City Wizards by a score of 1-0. But that, and the chilly and cloudy weather didn't put a damper on any of the fun it seems.
Pre-game activities for kids and adults filled the lot outside BMO field, there was plenty of raucous cheering and jeering, and the general vibe at the game was enthusiastic. Multicultural was the theme of the half-time show, with African, Chinese, Ukrainian, and Irish dancer troupes taking to the field.
Stomping on the aluminum stands, chanting "All we are saying, is give us a goal" (a play on the John Lennon song Give Peace a Chance), watching the stands erupt at the slightest of chances, and the view of our iconic skyline in the distance created an atmosphere unlike other pro sports in Toronto.
Photos of the game and more follow...
We still have a few things to learn though - like getting used to watching the players roll around in (sometimes real, other times faked) pain. When the Wizards scored, fans threw beer and cups at the celebrating players, prompting the announcer to warn the fans over the loudspeakers. Is that proper footie etiquette? Depends where you are, I suppose ;)
The team is young, and they seem to be struggling with basic passing (the made countless poor giveaways) and control in general. To be fair, the team has only been together since February, and they lack marquee players. It'll be exciting to get out to future games, whether they become winners soon or not, and I'm already looking forward to cheering them on again this summer.
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The Toronto crowd was amazing, even through television. Keep it up, and you won't be disappointed for long.
The Beautiful Game has arrived to T.O.!! I couldn't go to the home opener as I was picking up a friend from YYZ but I've got tickets for the DC United game... I can't wait!
*giddy*
Yey I can't wait to see more games!
p.s.
please stop celebrating soccer victories by driving around and honking till the wee hours of the nights.
please
just think about it.
Unfortunate loss, but from watching on tv, it sounded LOUD in there! amazing atmosphere!
which lens(es) were you using, Jerrold?
14-54mm wide, 50mm prime, and 40-150mm tele :)
Jerrold, where are your seats?
Your pics are beautiful ! Would it be possible for a blogger with a rookie soccer site to use one or two of your pics on his humble site ??
Yes the atmosphere was great and it is wonderful to have a team at last.
Have patience with the team, notably in the area of passing. Not only are they newly formed, some have joined the team only days ago. Plus there is an adjustment to playing on the surface Field Turf - which might be an improvement on the artificial turfs, but is still not grass.
in defence of the beer throwers (I was near by), you do not go right at rival fans, grab your crest and celebrate a goal in their face...that is not cool and if I was close enough I might have thrown my beer as well...that just shows the passion these fans have and I am looking fwd to the team getting better and the rest of the season...GO TFC!
Stillkicking: please check your gmail :)
Sorry Jerrold, but could you send again, I might have left the tfc out of my gmail before.
Thanks for your understanding
Stillkicking