Here.

Worth a read.

…I’d say.  

Read George Gross’ column from the Toronto Sun for a slightly less complimentary assessment of TFC. 

To watch the way the team was constituted — and played — yesterday was demoralizing for anyone who has seen bottom teams in the English Third Division perform. Most TFC players must have a volleyball background because they keep the ball in the air when even youngsters in Pickering know that it is supposed to be kept on the ground.

Moreover, TFC players lost 90% of one-on-one duels, walked instead of ran into position to receive the ball, and acted as if they had never heard that following a corner kick, or a pass from the wing, they should head the ball down and towards the net, not five feet over the crossbar.

Now, you may say I’m caught up in my enthusiasm for the team, but whereas I see potential for improvement, he sees need to gut the team save for a very few players which doesn’t include the likes of Wynne, Edu, or O’Brien. A bit much if you ask me.

It’s a good thing that Stammy got to switch ends so soon after he let in Michael Parkhurst’s Beckham-esque effort from half. Granted, the goal was perfectly placed, but he was very much benefitting from Stammy being way off his line. It took the wind out of the Supporters’ Section sails to say the least, and I like to think that the TFC supporters are easier on their goalkeepers than Leafs fans, but I do think its best that he was able to re-group at the other end of the pitch. If you missed the goal, for whatever reason, you can watch it over and over at #1 on this list of the New England Revolution’s top goals of 2007. In fact, the last view it gives you is pretty much exactly the view I had of the goal during the game… 

…not pretty. 
Moving on. 

The game had atmosphere to be expected of the last chance of the year for the TFC faithful to show their support. The play was largely dominated by TFC during the first half however from our seats it appeared to be stuck between the half way line and the top of the Revs box. Settling for possession alone seemed to be the order of the day when Parkhurst delivered his goal from half, seemingly out of nowhere. The reaction in the Supporters’ Section, I can only describe as a collective whimper. The second Revs goal so soon after play restarted was equally surprising, to be honest.

Most TFC fans walking through the stadium during the break were sure the second half would bring an effort from Toronto to redeem themselves from a goal that shouldn’t have been. So, to find our team down 2-0 in the 48th minute was tough.

And then, suddenly, the most unlikely of heroes emerged to show a second effort that I would not have expected from him prior to the game. Colin Samuel, the mid-season addition to the squad that was highly touted prior to his arrival but showed little fitness and less effort for most of his time with the team, came through to slot away a Marvell Wynne rebound, and the crowd was revived. (Marvell became one of my favourite players as the season progressed - his run, while not always productive, were most often exciting.)

The second surprise of the game that emerged in the second half was the entrance of Danny Dichio into the game. Many believed his season to be over but when he was spotted warming up prior to half-time, we knew there was no chance he wasn’t going to make an appearance. His play was steady and he was creating space for his teammates by drawing two or more defenders at all times - but he rewarded our faith in him in the 91st minute with a goal when none were expecting it. 

Like the announcer said, virtually the last kick of the season for Toronto FC, and what a way to send the fans home.It’s hard to describe the end of that game and what followed. To be sure, and coach Mo Johnston admits, a tie to end a 6-17-7 season isn’t normal -

“We’ve not won anything,” Johnston said. “But the fans deserve it.”  

And he’s right - the fans deserved a thanks and we deserved our time on the pitch that followed for one last celebration of ourselves more than anything else. It could be argued that the supporters were the highlight of Toronto FC’s inaugural season - it’s argument that I would surely make.

Here’s to next season - Mo has some grand aspirations for it so lets hope his hunt is bountiful and his judgement of talent is spot on.

“There will be cuts,” he said. “We need more depth at all positions and in order to get that we’ll have to cut players. It’s not a part of the job I like but if we are going to go forward and become a playoff team we have to make changes.”  

If we’re to win the championship in the next couple of years, as Captain Brennan said, the building will need to begin now. Cuts are the nature of the game, but those that made valuable contributions or showed unwavering effort shouldn’t fear. Though some starters could (and should) be relegated to the bench next season, the team will be better for it if their replacements are as good as we, the fans, deserve.

Thanks for reading throughout the season. Over the off-season I’ll continue to bring Toronto FC news as it comes to me. Also, check in now and again for my thoughts on Manchester United’s continuing campaign, but don’t get me started on England Euro 2008 qualifying debacle. I suppose that’s a whole ‘nother post for another day.

And, lastly, thanks to the TFC fans at every game wearing Chelsea jerseys in the stands while singing “When the Reds go marching in…” Made my day - win, lose, or draw.

…I know. Things have been busy and I haven’t been able to keep up with reports, but I’m back having attended the season finale at BMO Field, and have commentary and pictures to offer.  

Let’s start, first, with my general impressions of the end of the season and follow with my thoughts on the final games from last Saturday.

Firstly, let’s put it out there - I’m disappointed. I’m not delusional, however, and I know that the quality of the TFC team did not deserve a playoff birth, yet I can only feel disappointed that the season has come to an end and the roller-coaster ride, as Jim Brennan put it, has come to a rather abrupt halt.

Brennan is right (and good luck asking me to ever find a fault with our captain) in saying the TFC fans are the best in the league - I’ve seen comparable efforts made in other stadiums - and we deserve to see games well into the cold of November. I hope he keeps his promise to bring us to the play-offs next year.

While on the subject of Brennan, good on the North End Elite for presenting him with the award for Man of the Year. Almost an obvious choice and certainly the right one.

I have trouble with the idea that the results of Toronto FC had anything to do with effort. The effort, in my mind, was always there but the lack of quality was sometimes hard to ignore. Like the old song says, “if you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with,” and I think that sums up the love affair we’ve had with the squad this year. They haven’t necessarily been what we truly would have wanted on the pitch, but the support from us and the effort from them was rarely absent from the team as a whole. Individual efforts were certainly lacking at times, but to say the team took a day off would be a stretch.

All in all, I have to go out of my way to thank everyone that had anything to do with Toronto FC this year. They’ve produced a truly enjoyable experience regardless of the on-field product. Make no mistake, however, next year will have to show an improvement (and a big one at that) to be truly deserved of our continued support.