A day after the MLS Cup and I am still cold. Even though I was fully draped in a Canada Goose jacket, toque, gloves and fully liquidated with a couple cold beverages it was a cold and windy night at BMO Field in Toronto. Most of you who follow football are familiar that the Colorado Rapids won the big trophy at the end courtesy of a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas due to an own goal from George 'Lil' John in extra time. But here are five key take-aways from the game.
Colorado Executed Their Gameplan
FC Dallas play an attractive brand of football built on speed, counter-attacking football and the creative flair of MLS MVP David Ferreira. However, they were never able to get into second gear as Colorado played a disruptive, physical brand of football that closed down space and rarely allowed FC Dallas to complete more than three passes together. The coaching team at Colorado should deserve all the plaudits as they prepare to bring the cup back to Denver.
The Real MVP Should Have Been Jeff Larentowicz
I could provide some sort of technical analysis on why a holding midfielder should have been named MVP. But I'll leave that to the people I went to the game with. All three, although not the biggest football fans, took note that the best player on the park was 'Ginger.' Larentowicz controlled the midfield for the Rapids and also deserved a goal and would of had a goal if his free-kick was not excellently saved by Kevin 'Who Ate All The Pies' Hartman.
Finals Are Never The Most Eye Pleasing
After reading the Twitter feeds and rapid reaction columns from many soccer writers across North America, many were disappointed regarding the level play at the MLS Cup. It is absolutely ludicrous to assume that a final will be most pleasing football spectacle. Look at the World Cup final between Spain and Holland as the first example that when the lights are the brightest the level of football usually shrinks to the lowest. Finals are tight tense affairs that are usually very physical and extremely tactical. So just enjoy a final for what it is, high drama and intensity.
The MLS Is Still An American League With A Canadian Team
I arrived at BMO Field about 45 minutes before kick-off and I took part in some of the festivities before the match. I grabbed some free t-shirts from American Airlines and tried to grab a free hard hat from The Home Depot. When I entered BMO Field, I noticed that most of the adverts had been changed in order to appease the US television audience. I thoroughly enjoyed that there was ATT advertisements in Canada, where not only do Canadians enjoy the most expensive cell phone charges but where ATT does not even have a presence.
I also enjoyed the ESPN ads and the Spanish-language big screen commercials. Listen I understand that in most instances the Canadian professional team is a small fish in a big pond, but when the final of your league is held in Canada, don't bombard the fans with American ads for products we cannot even purchase in our own country. Perhaps, in the coming years with the inclusion of Vancouver and Montreal there will be more Canadian content in the MLS, but I would not hold my breath.
Toronto FC Fans Are Not MLS Fans
Let's be honest here, there are many Toronto FC fans. BMO Field is constantly filled to capacity and the TFC fans are a rowdy, loud and usually drunk bunch. However, once MLSE included the MLS Cup in the season ticket package for TFC fans, especially after another disappointing season, the atmosphere for the MLS Cup would not be the same as a regular TFC match. This was the case last night, as by the end of the match, many of the stands were empty and most of the fans were sitting on their hands in order to battle the elements.
The MLS, outside of TFC, is not covered at all in Canada. Many MLS highlights are usually found on GOLTV, a premium cable channel that is operated by MLSE with a small subscription base. Furthermore, many of the major Canadian websites, do not devote any resources to the MLS league coverage. The typical Toronto FC fan loves their home team but is completely clueless to what happens in the MLS. This needs to change in order for TFC fans to become MLS fans.
At the end of the day, I enjoyed the MLS Cup experience and am pleased to be part of a cup final in Toronto. It was great to see a champion crowned in Toronto, even though we are a ways away from that team being the home team.
I also enjoyed the ESPN ads and the Spanish-language big screen commercials. Listen I understand that in most instances the Canadian professional team is a small fish in a big pond, but when the final of your league is held in Canada, don't bombard the fans with American ads for products we cannot even purchase in our own country. Perhaps, in the coming years with the inclusion of Vancouver and Montreal there will be more Canadian content in the MLS, but I would not hold my breath.
Toronto FC Fans Are Not MLS Fans
Let's be honest here, there are many Toronto FC fans. BMO Field is constantly filled to capacity and the TFC fans are a rowdy, loud and usually drunk bunch. However, once MLSE included the MLS Cup in the season ticket package for TFC fans, especially after another disappointing season, the atmosphere for the MLS Cup would not be the same as a regular TFC match. This was the case last night, as by the end of the match, many of the stands were empty and most of the fans were sitting on their hands in order to battle the elements.
The MLS, outside of TFC, is not covered at all in Canada. Many MLS highlights are usually found on GOLTV, a premium cable channel that is operated by MLSE with a small subscription base. Furthermore, many of the major Canadian websites, do not devote any resources to the MLS league coverage. The typical Toronto FC fan loves their home team but is completely clueless to what happens in the MLS. This needs to change in order for TFC fans to become MLS fans.
At the end of the day, I enjoyed the MLS Cup experience and am pleased to be part of a cup final in Toronto. It was great to see a champion crowned in Toronto, even though we are a ways away from that team being the home team.
No comments:
Post a Comment