The content of this blog entry will break two rules I make a conscious effort to not break.

The first involves beating a dead horse.

The second involves responding to an opinion voiced by someone else within the Sportsnet family.

But when the opinion in question is a dead horse fueled by misconception, I am left with no option.

So, with apologies to my colleague Mike Toth, here it goes.

Toronto FC supporters did not use the MLS All-Star Game as a platform to protest the rumoured interest of the Toronto Argonauts in sharing BMO Field. In fact, if you consider that the actual name of the field is the National Soccer Stadium, then you have your answer. The Argos are not the problem; the loss of identity is. Talk about irony. Isn't it the Argos who are trying to keep a place at the party as the mighty NFL rolls into town this week?

As is often the case with the web savvy supporters' groups, Toth's misconception did not go unnoticed, setting the message boards aflame with obscenities. I fired off an email to Jack DePoe, president of the Red Patch Boys, for a little clarification on the concerns of the TFC faithful. DePoe was quick to assert that poorly researched opinion is old hat to fans of the fledgling franchise.

"It's precisely the attitude that Mr. Toth displays that causes soccer supporters to want to protect what we've (finally) got here in Toronto," DePoe said in an email. "We want to be represented. We want to be respected. We have given our passion, our voices, our money and our dedication to Toronto FC and to soccer in Toronto and in Canada. The National Soccer Stadium, also known as BMO Field, is in danger."

Citing "danger" might be a case of hyperbolizing for effect, but passion rarely chooses the correct word.

"The fact is, you could theoretically bring the Argos in and probably not change much, but the mystique would be gone. The uniqueness of Toronto FC and BMO Field would be irreparably changed. Don't mess with a good thing."

And for all its faults, pious TFC support is a good thing for the city. But before the dead horse is kicked again, much more harmful than his assertion that the Argos were the source of fan ire, was the sweeping generalization Toth made to conclude his Behind the Mike bit. Now, I undertstand that Toth himself has a tendency to hyperbolize -- I have worked with him for seven years -- but the "Drinking lots of beer, throwing things at the referee and singing fight songs with phony British accents" jab was out of line.

"Toronto FC has built their success around the fans, and the supporters strive to be the heart that beats in that stadium, bringing our voices, our colour and our passion to every match, win or lose," DePoe said. "Mr. Toth seems to lack the understanding of sports support, to mock true sporting passion with his petty insults."

I am guilty of dreading the GO Train ride home after a TFC game because there is only so much "fight songs" and "banging of any metal objects with reckless abandon" a tired blogger can take. But all in all, it is still quite the spectacle to see and hear the oft-intoxicated united in song on a sunny afternoon. To trivialize their efforts is unfair.

So with one final kick at the dead horse, I decree that it does not seem likely that the Argos will ever play a down at BMO, and that TFC fans are passionate, with a hint of nuisance.

Double-edged sword

While I am on the topic of using colleagues for blog fodder, I might as well point out that when I read the comments in Gerry Dobson's latest bit about TFC not signing a player this week, I was disheartened. But not because I want to see a new face at training.

A few weeks back coach Carver lambasted the assembled media for what he viewed as a culture of negative press in Toronto. And he's partially right; but there is a certain truth to the idea that much of the negative press evolves out of beat writers who are tired of chasing the same story.

Hence, the double-edged sword. The media (and its readership) is thirsty for the inside information, but speculating on it over and over without resolve is, like I said of select TFC fans, a nuisance.

As vague as it seems, Carver being forthright about signing a player before the window closes will suffice in my books.

For more years

To offset the above (what will certainly be viewed as negative press) is a short tidbit also included in Dobber's latest entry. The speculation is that Carver wants to stick around, presumably as coach, beyond this season. The difference between himself and Mo Johnston as coach is night and day, and the club would be wrong to view a losing season as reason for dismissal.