It will be interesting to see how TFC fans react to the MLS Cup final in Toronto.
It's not often that the commissioner of a major professional sports league invites a selected group of media members to chat about the state of the sport over lunch. But this week's gathering fronted by MLS commissioner Don Garber was not his first one. In fact, he does this on a regular basis, and it's refreshing.
Cynics will say this was simply a damage control move by Toronto FC owners, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment; the spin doctors weaving their magic. If this had never happened before, I would be inclined to agree. But I first encountered Garber at one of these events before the MLS Cup back in 2003. It's something he does all the time. I believe him to be as honest as the day is long.
He covered a wide range of topics on this day and did not avoid even the most ticklish of issues. There are many of them of course. Of most immediate concern to the league is how soccer fans in this city will respond to the MLS Cup Final given the level of unrest as it pertains to the home team. The potential for wintry conditions on what will be a cold November evening is also a worry. But the commissioner made a point of the fact that Toronto was awarded this game for one reason only -- the passion and unheard of level of support shown by Toronto FC fans.
Garber and his team realize the weather may be miserable. They also know that only a few hundred tickets were reserved for supporters of the two clubs that make the final. The rest went to Toronto FC, an MLSE decision by the way. They may or may not regret that now, but the league was adamant that this city and the supporters here deserved the game simply because of what the franchise has meant to the league. In fact, Garber went on to say the league probably wouldn't exist as it does today without the revelation that became Toronto FC. Yes, that miracle has been tainted somewhat due to MLSE's failures, and the head man fully admits that MLSE has made some mistakes. Raising ticket prices was a big one.
Garber also said that returning the MLS Cup Final to a cold weather site is not a given. It was simply a thank you, to Toronto FC and their supporters. Perhaps that was a mistake as well because it now looks like risky business, but Garber is convinced soccer fans in this city will buy into the big picture and what it means to the city and to show that Toronto does indeed have the best fans in North America. We'll see.
On other topics, there's no word on a balanced schedule for next year although it's probably what they will do. New York is likely to be the site for team No. 20, but there's nothing final on that front.
And finally, Garber will be meeting with Toronto FC supporters face-to-face on the weekend of MLS Cup. He's afraid of nothing, loves a challenge and admits that solving problems that keep popping up around the league is what drives him. He lives for it. Let's see if he has the gumption for it after facing the wrath of the highly-disgruntled locals.
