Gerry Dobson just said forget about "Blizzard"

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

According to inside sources it won't be a North American style name so it looks like the Sportsnet poll is the shortlist:-

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/index.jsp

Toronto Athletic
Toronto United
Sparta Toronto
Athletico Toronto
A.C. Toronto
Toronto Rovers

I suggested Rovers on here at one point so I guess that's my choice.

Gerry Dobson also said that stadium construction is on schedule.

[Captain Canuck]

I suspect that's not really the short list, but a Sportsnet list that they came up with just for fun & to get hits on their website. I say this as I can't imagine that they would seriously be considering another "United" name for an MLS team, and I can't imagine anyone in their right minds would think "Athletico Toronto" would be a good idea - is that supposed to reflect the great Hispanic heritage of the city or something?

[amancalledmikey]

Especially since it's either "Atletico" or "Athletic".

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

Worth bearing in mind this is the organization that uses Maple Leafs as a name rather than Maple Leaves.

[tguy24]

out of the choices listed Sparta Toronto is my pick. or Toronto Spartans it compliments the Toronto Agonauts

[SC in SF]

I think it should be Athletic Club of Toronto, since MLSE owns teams/clubs in other sports.

[bigp]

I wouldn't mind Toronto United.

They can market it like this team is uniting the soccer fans in Toronto. It's better than having a Greek, Italian, etc. style team name.

[zacRWE]

I think it should be Athletic Club of Toronto, since MLSE owns teams/clubs in other sports.

Good piont, I like that idea. as for names it simply gotta be either Toronto City or A. Inter Toronto B. Toronto International(s).
The United idea is not bad, but as mentioned MLS has a "United" named club and I don't think its such a great name.

[piltdownman]

I still like Internazionale/Inter/International.

[Blizzard]

I still like Internazionale/Inter/International.

Whatever is chosen, can we just make sure it is a word in the English language please?

I too prefer United but understand that it is currently in use and likely ruled out.

[AndrewW]

If it must be traditional then go for Toronto City or Toronto Athletic. I prefer the latter so the fans could be known as Toronto Athletic Supporters. :D

The Ultras would fit in with Ultra Supporters :eek: . I fear the use of initials like AC. Of course A** Clowns will be floated within minutes of such a name.

[Toronto Red]

I made a comment about the Man U Liverpool game here without understanding the [R] thing so apologies if anyone caught the implied result.

I think the lesson here with these names is that in a city like TO we cant afford to use a Euro name. The potential to isolate groups of fans is high. I know how fickle us foreign fans can be!! I and others would just hate to have to chant about United or Inter or AC or Sporting or Athletico and so on. This to me would be like supporting Manchester, Milan, Lisbon, Madrid ETC. I know this sounds kinda immature but it could well be a fact.

My vote in this group (somewhat hippocritically :rolleyes: ) would be Toronto Athletic, it actually has a nice ring to it and its kinda North American!

In general I think we should simply call the team Toronto nothing else. I guess officially you would tag on SC or FC. Which is perfectly normal.

T.S.C. ...oh oh! this has a familiar look to it???:cool: TV, anyone? We could self nickname ourselves "the shoppers!!" LOL

[KaptPowers]

and I can't imagine anyone in their right minds would think "Athletico Toronto" would be a good idea - is that supposed to reflect the great Hispanic heritage of the city or something?

*cough*realsaltlake*cough*

But I think you're right in that this looks like something Sportsnet came up with.

[Captain Canuck]

*cough*realsaltlake*cough*



That sort of proves my point though - the people who decided that name weren't obvioulsy in their right minds. ;)

[AndrewW]

That's why I favour Toronto City. The team's from Toronto and it is a city, of sorts. Maybe they should go for Toronto MegaCity.

Seriously, City has a history in Tee-oh soccer so it's a good one without being overly Euro-trendy.

[KaptPowers]

That sort of proves my point though - the people who decided that name weren't obvioulsy in their right minds. ;)

Oh I was siding with you, I think RSL is sad too. Just saying the precedent exists.

[RealGooner]

That's why I favour Toronto City. The team's from Toronto and it is a city, of sorts. Maybe they should go for Toronto MegaCity.

Seriously, City has a history in Tee-oh soccer so it's a good one without being overly Euro-trendy.

True. Toronto City is IMO the ideal name for our team, for all those reasons.

[suppitty]

I like Toronto Athletic the best of those, but I actually kind of like Sparta Toronto also. Originally I liked the idea of Toronto International but that sounds too much like an airport.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

I like Toronto Athletic the best of those, but I actually kind of like Sparta Toronto also. Originally I liked the idea of Toronto International but that sounds too much like an airport.

I thought the Sparta one was an odd one given that Sparta Rotterdam and Sparta Prague are not exactly world powers.

[AndrewW]

What exactly does "Sparta" mean? Is it a spinoff of the historical Greek city-state? Or does it mean sport in some other language? I'm actually looking for an answer if one has it.

However, it still sounds intentionally Eurocentric like Real Salt Lake. Athletic or City are probably the two best "traditional" names without being seen as patronizing euro-pandering.

Still like City the best (although not one of the Sportsnet.ca choices) followed by Athletic.

BTW, Black Squirrels would have been great.