In a neat 90-minute package, Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Union exemplified the rollercoaster ride of emotions that has been Toronto FC’s season.
Sitting in the barely half full section 116 a few minutes to kickoff, I wondered where the spirit had gone. When the loudspeaker announced Danny Koevermans would be on the bench, a first timer in front turned and innocently asked, “Why are they cheering so much for him?”
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It might already be time to question the new sign on the front handrail designating the seats a “supporters section where fans may stand for prolonged periods with preapproved flags and drums”.
The question of spirit came back as Scotty Newlands (who has an impressive set of pipes) belted out the national anthem. What happened to the fans carrying the song, guided only by background music? Can we not even hold up our own anthem anymore?
Then all of a sudden it was there. TFC came flying out of the gate (for once), enjoying the bulk of possession and creating some decent chances. Even after Doneil Henry was sent off, the Reds didn’t look like they were playing with ten men, keeping Philadelphia at bay and having impressive spells of attacking play for much of the match.
The fans in turn got behind the team in a way we hadn’t seen in recent weeks. It wasn’t just the southeast corner desperately trying to inject some sort of atmosphere into BMO, the whole crowd was getting in on the celebration that was the first 89 minutes of this game.
Bobby Convey was running like a man possessed. Matías Laba took control of the midfield and dictated play. Ryan Richter gave the Union nothing down his right side and jumped into the attack every chance he got. Jonathan Osorio attacked a flying ball with a force we hadn’t seen all season.
There was some aggression back in BMO Field. Tempers were flaring on the field and the crowd of 19,000 was loving it. The chanting, singing and dancing rarely stopped because there was no reason to.
The most creative song came as Koevermans and the rest of the substitutes jogged down the line for a midgame warm up. A small group spontaneously erupted in a slightly altered version of Hey Baby (I wanna know):
“Heeeeeeeey, hey Danny! Ooh Ah! I wanna knooooooow will ya score a goal?!”
But then the Koev came on and it was all downhill from there. There’s no denying it was great to see him back and he will be a great asset moving forward, but there was no reason to bring him on today.
Jeremy Brockie had played great for the 25 minutes he was on, making dangerous runs, winning long balls and setting up Osorio’s goal. He tracked four defenders for his last ten minutes, and then was replaced by a player who can barely keep up with one.
Koevermans’ impact was immediate, but not positive. TFC had a free kick ten yards inside the Union’s half, with Laba standing over it, screaming for someone to check in. Throughout the game, Toronto had been playing short, quick free kicks (a rarity) that got the ball moving and allowed them to keep possession. Convey seemed to be the only one listening to Laba, but was marked tightly by two Philadelphia defenders.
Brockie would have been able to take the ball on his feet and hold it up, but the only option now was Koevermans standing in the box. Jeremy Hall yelled something at Laba, pointing to Koevermans and Zac MacMath easily gobbled up the floating cross, then started Philadelphia’s push up the field to the tying goal, once again deflating the atmosphere of BMO Field.
Bringing on Koevermans defied all logic. It was such a staged act; another attempt by MLSE to create a false hype that’s ruining the game experience. It’s created through a forced rivalry with Columbus, sparklers and confetti set off at the start of the game, “preapproved” banners and the odd smokescreen that tries to take the place of flares.
This corporate effort to manufacture team spirit has got to stop. It’s time the fans were allowed to create the atmosphere. Today was proof we can.
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