Galaxy coach Bruce Arena and I could not ignore the elephant outside any longer, so I explained:
"The noise outside is a fan protest, aimed at a variety of things including the pitch, recent results, the front office, etc."
He looked surprised.
"I am hopeful they are not protesting against the team? Maybe the issue is some policies, but I think they have done a real good job here in building this team," Arena said. "Toronto has improved. You have to be patient in this league. Whether we like it or not, this league is designed for parity."
Not that Arena should be informed as to the nature of the protest, as he is in town for only a few days and likely does not spend any amount of time perusing fan boards or local papers. But in reality, even those who do peruse fan boards and are in town permanently, stared blankly when asked for an opinion or explanation.
The smattering of fans in the south end before kick-off was unanimously chocked-up to traffic congestion or long lines at the concessions.
Successful protests are difficult and rare and unless they are meticulously planned, they will go off as amateurish. The planned protest on Saturday was not meticulously planned, and it came off as amateurish. I am all for non-violent protest and our right to it, but in the lead-up to Saturday I could not get on board.
To begin, June 6 (D-Day) should never be a day of protest. It should be a day we remember why we get to write about soccer or attend games. Second, it sucked to watch a group of men who made an entire nation turn on its television sets to watch Mexico '86 receive only a light applause when the south end supporters should have made those men feel like they did 23 years ago.
"Fans not being happy is all part of the game, they have the right to be - afterall, they pay to be here."
Agreed, but that was the thorn in the protest on Saturday. The announced attendance at the game was 20,753. Showing up on large numbers to protest the World Bank is a good thing. Showing up in large numbers to protest an underperforming team and rudderless front office is not.
In a week where a famous form of non-violent protest was remembered and seen from a new perspective (Seriously, click the link), the exact opposite of Tank Man's message occurred at BMO Field.
"No one is ever happy. Fans and journalists are allowed to voice their opinions but the management and players and coaches have to keep a cool head and maintain the feel on where they are going and how they are going to get there."
This statement presents the tipping point for the protest: continue the cause in earnest or believe the words of a man who was seen his share of discontent and give up the grudge.
There is no denying that a warning shot was fired over the bow of the front office on Saturday, but whether or not it was seen as an act of war is up for debate.
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