MLS - for those in the New World

[CanadaToffee]

Thought I'd start a thread for me and Tx Bill, perhaps Dylan and Mike, not sure anyone else would care - the MLS season has just started, anyone paying attention? Tomorrow I'm off to the Toronto FC home opener - sellout at the 20,000 seat new stadium. TFC so far 0-3 and outscored 9-0 - so hopefully tomorrow we'll see the new club's first ever goal (well I can always dream). Going with my kids (son and daughter) and we're really looking forward to it.

Having watched a little of their game on TV Wednesday vs Kansas City, I was struck by how physical the game was - some of the body checks looked more like the NHL (and those are the ones that were NOT called foul). Tx, was that a one-off, or is this a very physical league?

 

[SuitsBlue]

when does his royal highness becksy turn up?

 

[CanadaToffee]

when does his royal highness becksy turn up?

I think he's playing in some non-MLS tournament in July, but his first scheduled MLS game is on August 5, right here in Toronto.

 

[SuitsBlue]

If you go, tell him he's a tit from me

 

[Gazdalf]

CT/TX. Give me an MLS team to adopt as my own and I will do my best to learn as much about it as possible. Maybe yours?? (I love the game so much I have many teams I follow in other countries. This will give me the motivation to get interested in MLS and maybe not joke about it so much)

 

[Dylan]

Well, I have the New England Revolution in Boston, and the NY/NJ Red Bulls about equal distances in opposite directions to me (about 100 miles each). The thing is, for me to drive that 100 miles, I would have to love the team, and the only team I love is Everton. If they played here, I would have no problem hopping on the train or driving to see the every home game.

 

[CanadaToffee]

CT/TX. Give me an MLS team to adopt as my own and I will do my best to learn as much about it as possible. Maybe yours?? (I love the game so much I have many teams I follow in other countries. This will give me the motivation to get interested in MLS and maybe not joke about it so much)

Has to be Toronto FC. On Saturday, at the first ever home game, the stadium was packed (just over 20,000), and the noise level was amazing. It was almost like being at a PL game (in fact better than many - Blackburn, etc.). And I was pleasantly surprised with the standard - probably close to Championship level.

The visitors, Kansas City Wizards, said it was the most hostile and intimidating environment they'd experienced in MLS. So much for polite Canadians, eh?

You may even know a couple of our players - Danny Dichio, and Carl Robinson (ex-Norwich, plays for Wales).

Oh right - there is the small matter of the result. We lost 1-0, and have now lost our first 4 games and not yet scored. But we were definitely the better side in the first half - should really have scored a couple. To be fair, Kansas City outplayed us in the second half, and Eddie Johnson, who bagged the winner, was clearly the best player on the field.

But - and here's the reason you have to support Toronto FC - outside the stadium, there was one other club that also had a visible, official presence. Yes, that's right - Everton FC. Due to their relationship with the Ontario Soccer Association, there is a loose connection betwen the 2 clubs. Don't be completely surprised if they come to Toronto for pre-season in the next couple of years.