| Full name | Toronto FC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Reds, TFC | ||
| Founded | 2006 | ||
| Ground | BMO Field Toronto, Ontario (Capacity: 23,000) |
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| Executives | Larry Tanenbaum (MLSE) Richard Peddie (MLSE) Tom Anselmi (MLSE) |
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| Head Coach | Aron Winter | ||
| League | Major League Soccer | ||
| 2010 | Eastern Conference: 8th Overall: 16th Playoffs: DNQ |
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| Website | Club home page | ||
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| Current season | |||
Toronto FC (TFC) is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.
Toronto became MLS's fourteenth team, and first Canadian team, upon their expansion into the league in 2007. The team plays their home matches at the soccer-specific BMO Field, located in Exhibition Place along the Toronto lake shore. The team is owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which operates the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, the AHL's Toronto Marlies, and the NBA's Toronto Raptors, and is currently coached by former Dutch international Aron Winter.
Toronto FC's title sponsor, found on the front of their jersey and on most team merchandise, is the Bank of Montreal (BMO). TFC fans have helped make the club one of the MLS' most successful franchises off the pitch, having been profitable since its first year.
The club is the current Canadian Champions, having won the 2011 Nutrilite Canadian Championship, the team's third consecutive Canadian title.
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Despite a long scoreless streak to start the team's history, Toronto FC quickly began to establish itself as a club with great fan support. The club's first win on May 12 at BMO Field saw Danny Dichio score in the 24th minute, which prompted the sellout crowd to toss promotional plastic seat cushions onto the field in celebration. Though TFC would slip to the bottom of the MLS standings with an expansion-like record of 6–17–7, the club built a solid foundation as the first Canadian team in MLS.
In their second season in 2008, Toronto hosted the 2008 MLS All-Star Game. However, the team finished the season in last place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 9–13–8. The stands at BMO Field, however, were packed on a regular basis as Toronto F.C. continued to enjoy an enthusiastic fan base.[1]
In order to determine the Canadian Soccer Association's representative in the CONCACAF Champions League, Toronto FC played in the inaugural Canadian Championship in 2008, competing for the Voyageurs Cup. TFC were the favourites to win the championship in its first year, but lost it to Montreal Impact.
2009 was another missed opportunity for the Reds. Toronto was on the cusp of making the playoffs, but they ultimately missed out by a single point following a crushing 5-0 defeat at the hands of last place New York in the final regular season game of the campaign. Despite bringing in some high profile talent, the Reds just couldn’t seem to field a consistent side. Top Players: For TFC fans to witness success in 2010, Dwayne De Rosario continued to put up gaudy numbers. The homegrown star scored 11 goals in 2009. But, he ended the season with the most offside penalties (43). Amado Guevara was a strong playmaker and established MLS veteran, but the Honduran's future at the Canadian club seemed murky with looming 2010 World Cup duties. Rookie goalkeeper Stefan Frei quickly replaced Greg Sutton as a regular starter and immediately became a fan favourite. TFC looked good in the first half, but tired and couldn’t finish in the second half. They only scored 2 goals in the final 15 minutes of games all season (last in MLS). During the same 15 minute period, they gave up 16 goals (most in MLS), thus creating a −14 goal differential during the final 15 minutes.[2]
The second year of the Canadian Championship in 2009, TFC on the final game of the championship needed to beat Montreal by 4 goals in order to win because Vancouver had a goal differential of +4 and anything less would result in Vancouver winning the championship. TFC was up to the task and beat an under strength Montreal Impact 6–1 on the back of a hat-trick by Dwayne De Rosario. TFC was down 1–0 in the first half but DeRosario scored three straight times with Amado Guevara scoring 2, in the 69th and 92nd mins and Chad Barrett scoring the goal, in the 82nd min, that gave Toronto the lead over Vancouver.
Toronto FC subsequently participated in the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League, but lost 1–0 on aggregate to the Puerto Rico Islanders in the preliminary round of the tournament.
After failing to qualify on the final day of the 2009 campaign, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment said anything short of a playoff spot in 2010 would be unacceptable. With that directive, former director of soccer Mo Johnston hired Preki and made wholesale changes to the roster to reflect the US Hall of Famer's plan to play a tough, defensive style. Despite scoring troubles, TFC played well at the start, going undefeated in seven games at one time. But the World Cup break seemed to break the momentum as the team struggled post-Cup. A heavy schedule – combined with injuries, suspensions, a lack of depth and poor finishing – took their toll sending the club down the MLS standings. Sensing problems in the locker room, and to try to salvage the season, MLSE dismissed both Mo Johnston and Preki on Sept. 14 and named Earl Cochrane interim director of soccer and Nick Dasovic interim coach. The players responded to Dasovic's more open, flexible style, but it wasn't enough as the club was eliminated from playoff contention with three games left in the season. Off-field issues with season-seat holders over the 2011 season ticket package added to the fans' frustrations, forcing MLSE to hold a series of Town Hall meetings in which management promised to turn things around.
Toronto FC played C.D. Motagua in the preliminary round of the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League. Toronto won 1–0 in the first leg on a goal by Chad Barrett, and tied 2–2 in the second leg on goals by De Rosario and Barrett, qualifying for the group stage. Toronto won their first ever group stage match 2–1 against Cruz Azul on August 17, 2010. However the team failed to qualify for the championship round after finishing in 3rd place behind group winners Real Salt Lake and 2nd place Cruz Azul.
On November 3, 2010, MLSE formally announced the hiring of former Germany star and coach Jürgen Klinsmann, and his California-based company, SoccerSolutions, to fix the club's on-field product. Over the next six months, Klinsmann assessed the club, identifying a playing style and recommended a candidate for the director of soccer position.[3] On January 6, 2011, the new management team for Toronto FC was announced. Aron Winter was hired as Head coach with his compatriot, Bob de Klerk named First Assistant coach. Paul Mariner was named as Director of soccer. Winter was selected to bring the Ajax style and culture to Toronto FC. Management made wholesale changes to the roster for the 2011 season, signing 12 players before the start of the season, eventually trading their captain and Toronto native Dwayne De Rosario mid-season. Toronto FC used its remaining two designated player slots on two standout European players, signing Torsten Frings and Danny Koevermans to 2.5 year contracts. The team went on to set a record for most players used in a MLS season with 39. Despite a strong finish to the season with only 2 losses in their last 12 games, TFC missed the MLS playoffs for the fifth straight year but advanced to the CONCACAF Champions league Quarterfinals for the first time.
The official team colours are red (jerseys, shorts and socks) with white trim, and white jerseys with matching white shorts and socks.
Before the 2007 Major League Soccer season, construction was completed on a new stadium at Exhibition Place in Toronto at a cost of $62.5 million.[4][5] On September 20, 2006, MLS's official website announced that BMO Financial Group had officially purchased the naming rights for the new stadium.[6] It is the largest soccer-specific stadium in Canada. It is owned by the City of Toronto, while MLSE, the team's owner, operates it.[7][8]
As the National Soccer Stadium, it served as a major venue for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, including hosting the opening and final matches. In 2008, it played host to the 2008 MLS All-Star Game. BMO Field has also hosted various high profile teams in international friendlies such as Real Madrid in 2009. It was chosen as a neutral venue to host the 2010 MLS Cup in November 2010.
Expansion to the north end that cost $2 million and added 1,249 seats was completed for the start of the 2010 MLS Season.[9]
Following criticism of BMO Field's use of FieldTurf and its rapid deterioration, MLSE agreed to a deal with the city to replace it with a natural grass surface in time for the 2010 MLS Season. Along with the grass, a heating and drainage system was also installed at a cost of $3.5 million to MLSE.
Although not expected in the near future, Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president and chief operating officer with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has indicated a second level could be added to the east side stands and extra rows added to the south side stands which would add an additional 8,000 seats for approximately $15 million.[10]
After Toronto's expansion was announced in 2005, the name of the club was officially announced on May 11, 2006 by the team's owner, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE).[11] The "FC" in the team's name is the conventional initialism for Football Club.
The announcement followed an online consultation in which the public was invited to vote on the name during a limited period. The voting options were "Toronto Northmen," "Inter Toronto FC," "Toronto Reds," and "Toronto FC." MLSE's strategy in choosing "Toronto FC" following this process was based on two reasons. Firstly, over 40 percent of the online vote supported the simplified Toronto FC name during the consultation; secondly, MLSE hoped that the fairly generic name would help the new club earn a more organic nickname from the Toronto fans rather than having one imposed upon the club.[12] The team has been called "TFC" and "the Reds" by the media and the club.[13][14]
Before the start of the 2007 season, Richard Peddie, the CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd., stated that he and the ownership would be content with between 13,000–15,000 fans per game at Toronto FC home games. However, this range has been exceeded. The club sold out season tickets its first three years, capping season tickets at 16,000 for the 2009 season. There are currently more than 1,000 people on the waiting list for season tickets. Toronto FC is also known for changing fan bases in the MLS. A year after Toronto joined in the league the Seattle Sounders became the new expansion franchise. To keep up with the expectations they now have increasingly passionate fans and far greater attendance.[15]
The fans have been called enthusiastic and their passion unsurpassed in MLS.[16] After celebrations in which seat cushions were thrown on the field after its first ever goal in a victory at home to the Chicago Fire, the Toronto FC front office sent an email to season ticket holders reminding fans to refrain from throwing objects or running onto the field. The fans are also known for their travelling support, at one time sending large contingents of fans to Columbus in the opening matches of the 2008 and 2009 Trillium Cup.[17]
Being a young club, Toronto FC has few club rivalries against MLS teams. Columbus Crew and Toronto FC compete for the MLS manufactured Trillium Cup. Although Toronto had not defeated Columbus until their fifth season, 2011, the large number of Toronto fans who typically travelled to Columbus in their early years helped spark a rivalry between the clubs' supporters.
Toronto FC's biggest rival will join MLS in 2012. The Montreal Impact emerged as a fierce rival and won the inaugural Canadian Championship and seventh Voyageurs Cup. The proximity of the two cities, the fact that Toronto and Montreal have traditionally been rivals in ice hockey, adds to the rivalry.
TFC Academy is the youth academy of Toronto FC that was established in 2008.[18][19] The Academy consists of a Junior and Senior Team who play in the local Canadian Soccer League. They play their home games at Lamport Stadium. In 2012, TFC Academy will move and play their home games at Toronto FC's new training facility at Downsview Park.
As of the 2011 season, GolTV Canada is the primary television broadcaster of Toronto FC MLS games not carried by a national broadcaster. The channel, which was acquired by MLSE in 2009, aired 21 games across the 2011 season, commentated by Luke Wileman.[20] TSN aired 13 TFC games nationally during the 2011 season as part of its new 6 year broadcast contract with the league.[21][22]
For Canadian Championship games and the CONCACAF Champions League (beginning with the 2011–12 season, which TFC participated in), Sportsnet serves as the broadcaster, generally employing Gerry Dobson as play-by-play commentator and Craig Forrest as colour commentator for its nationally-broadcast soccer matches involving Canadian teams.
Previous broadcasters for the 2007 to 2010 seasons included The Score, and CBC Sports (through CBC Television and Bold).
Sportsnet 590 is the flagship radio station of the team; Dan Dunleavy calls the games while Bob Iarusci joins him as colour commentator for home games. If a Toronto FC game conflicts with other programming on the station, the Toronto FC game is instead only aired online.
As of December 28, 2011[23]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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This list shows players who have played for the team in official 2011 MLS Reserve Division games, but are not part of the senior roster.[24]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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This list of former players includes those who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. It is clearly not yet complete and all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.
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Mo Johnston |
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John Carver |
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Chris Cummins (interim) |
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Preki |
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Nick Dasovic (interim) |
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Aron Winter |
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Toronto FC are owned and managed by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd., who also own and operate the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Marlies. Along with sports ventures like Leafs TV, NBA TV Canada and GolTV Canada, the company is also involved in real estate and property management, owning such sports venues such as the Air Canada Centre, Ricoh Coliseum and being a partner in the development of Maple Leaf Square. Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president and COO of MLSE, has overall responsibility for the team and is an Alternate Governor of MLS.[34] Paul Beirne currently serves as Director of Business Operations.[35]
| Year | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Canadian Championship | CONCACAF Champions League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 13th | Did not qualify | (Began in 2008) | (Began in 2008) |
| 2008 | 12th | Did not qualify | 2nd | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 12th | Did not qualify | Champion | Preliminary round |
| 2010 | 11th | Did not qualify | Champion | Group Stage |
| 2011 | 16th | Did not qualify | Champion | Qualified for Quarterfinals |
| 2012 |
League, CONCACAF Champions League & Canadian Championship
| # | Name | Career | Goals | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dwayne De Rosario | 2009–11 | 32 | 75 |
| 2 | Chad Barrett | 2008–11 | 21 | 78 |
| 3= | Maicon Santos | 2010–11 | 14 | 40 |
| 3= | Danny Dichio | 2007–09 | 14 | 66 |
| 5 | Amado Guevara | 2008–09 | 11 | 53 |
| 6 | Danny Koevermans | 2011– | 10 | 17 |
| 7 | Joao Plata | 2011– | 8 | 35 |
| 8= | Alan Gordon | 2011 | 6 | 10 |
| 8= | Ryan Johnson | 2011– | 6 | 20 |
| 8= | Jeff Cunningham | 2007–08 | 6 | 36 |
| 8= | Maurice Edu | 2007–08 | 6 | 41 |
| 8= | Rohan Ricketts | 2008–09 | 6 | 44 |
Last Update: October 22, 2011.
League, CONCACAF Champions League & Canadian Championship
| # | Name | Career | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stefan Frei | 2009– | 95 | 0 |
| 2 | Jim Brennan | 2007–10 | 93 | 4 |
| 3 | Carl Robinson | 2007–10 | 84 | 3 |
| 4 | Chad Barrett | 2008–11 | 78 | 21 |
| 5= | Dwayne De Rosario | 2009–11 | 75 | 32 |
| 5= | Marvell Wynne | 2007–10 | 75 | 2 |
| 7 | Julian de Guzman | 2009– | 70 | 3 |
| 8 | Nana Attakora | 2007–11 | 68 | 4 |
| 9 | Danny Dichio | 2007–09 | 66 | 14 |
| 10 | Dan Gargan | 2010–11 | 55 | 1 |
Last Update: October 22, 2011.
| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 2007–10 | Jim Brennan |
| 2010–11 | Dwayne De Rosario |
| 2011 | Maicon Santos |
| 2011– | Torsten Frings |
| Year | Reg. Season |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 20,134 |
| 2008 | 20,108 |
| 2009 | 20,344 |
| 2010 | 20,453 |
| 2011 | 20,267 |
| 2012 |
The largest attendance for a Toronto FC game was on April 13, 2011 when they hosted the Los Angeles Galaxy in front of 22,453.[36]
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