Who will be our biggest rival?

[Toronto Red]

I thought this might spark some fun debate. Have many of you been following MLS recently and who might you think will become our biggest rival?

I reckon New York Red Bulls given Toronto's little spats with the Yankees.

Or will it be Cleveland if they join the league with us!

What d'ya think?

[RedandWhite]

New England and New York probably. The Leafs have some bad blood with the Rangers so that might spark something.

If Rochester gets a team then that would be a perfect rivalry.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

Vancouver if/when they get in would be the main one IMO, since the rivalry with all the American teams within the same conference would probably have much the same cross-border angle. If Rochester ever got in, there would probably be more of a grudge factor based on proximity. Cleveland is borderline for that.

[tguy24]

Chicago i think. Both cities are very similar but don't have a rivalry in other sports. They would need to be in the same division for one to develop though.

[Blizzard]

Chicago i think. Both cities are very similar but don't have a rivalry in other sports. They would need to be in the same division for one to develop though.

That's an interesting point. For some reason, no Leafs-Hawks rivarly of any magnitude exists at the moment. You'd think that any original six sides would have a war everytime they play but it doesn't seem to be that way.

BTW, a Vancouver-Toronto rivalry was mentioned above. I look forward to the day when we can have that again. The Blizzard used to have a great rivarly with the Caps and the 86'ers. There was no sweeter victory in that final CSL season than when the Blizzard demolished the 86'ers at Centennial with Pesch being a one man wrecking crew. Bobby said as much in the post-game interview he did.

So sweet! Sadly, not a regular occurance.

The other great victory was in the 83 play-offs at the CNE when the Blizzard capped a great comeback with a late goal. The crowd rushed the field at the final whistle and it was amazing. So much emotion.

[Andre v2.0]

Beginning: Expansion mediocrity will be our biggest rival.

A bit later: I think that it will take some bad blood to be spilt before any rivalries begin to be determined. Once that happens, then let the fountains of hate flow!

[Toronto Red]

Andre,

We are lucky (or not) to have a slightly differing category of player as we will be using Canadian quota's where everyone else will have American quota's.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to afford the best Canadian players that would be available as they mostly play in Europe.

If that was not the case then we would probably do pretty well right off the bat.

This will also provide a certain automatic rivalry with all American teams. I kinda like the idea of buggin the Red Bulls. I can think of a few chants already.

[Toronto F.C.]

I too would suggest Chicago as an instant rival. Ultimately, a team in Rochester would have to be the biggest rivalry simply because of proximity!

Regards,

Enzo

[mlsintoronto]

Regards,

Enzo

Enzo - Great handle. That's my preferred name for our team. cross yer fingers.

[warthogfutbal]

Off-the-field = Ontario Teacher's Pension Fund.

On-the-field = Chicago and Columbus to start. Vancouver and Montreal when they get in the league. Rochester will have to unseat either of Chicago and Columbus.
Optimistically = New England and/or DC United.

[FuzzyForeigner]

I thought this might spark some fun debate. Have many of you been following MLS recently and who might you think will become our biggest rival?

I reckon New York Red Bulls given Toronto's little spats with the Yankees.

Or will it be Cleveland if they join the league with us!

What d'ya think?


lol this question is funny

YOU, the fan make the rival.

Think of the city or town or people you HATE most and BINGO! thats your rivalry. I cant believe you have to think about that. I wonder what will happen when Montreal joins the league.

[Toronto F.C.]

Enzo - Great handle. That's my preferred name for our team. cross yer fingers.

Yup, its traditional - yet cutting edge in the North American landscape of Mighty Ducks and Avalanche and does not lend itself to alienating any groups (as far as I can tell anyway). It also provides an authentic flavor to the soccer fans - this team will do well if it can tap even 10% of the so called soccer fans in this city. With the exposure soccer recieves up here most kids and casual sports fans have an understanding of soccer team names from around the globe. Its soccer afterall, so FC Dallas vs. Toronto F.C. isn't a big deal.

Eventually a secondary nickname will surface on its own created by fans and this will mean much more to the supporters - i.e. Buds/Habs /gunners/Lakers (Lake Ontario conection), Nationals (CNE connection) or whatever... The stadium name may also play a part....Bell Canada Field - the Ringers.

regards,

Enzo

TFC

[Captain Canuck]

I'd just be careful about giving the anti-soccer (or even ambivalent) members of the media any sort of extra hook to ridicule the team over, and I'm a bit worried that Toronto F.C. (as opposed to S.C.) might provide such an opportunity. Sure we all know its called football round the world, but I can just see them chastising MLSE in print & on radio for going with Football Club instead of Soccer Club. Perhaps I'm totally off the mark & they won't, but I wouldn't be surprised

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

I'd just be careful about giving the anti-soccer (or even ambivalent) members of the media any sort of extra hook to ridicule the team over, and I'm a bit worried that Toronto F.C. (as opposed to S.C.) might provide such an opportunity.

FC Dallas vs Toronto FC would definitely be an angle of a attack for those who like to ridicule soccer.

[Blizzard]

I'd just be careful about giving the anti-soccer (or even ambivalent) members of the media any sort of extra hook to ridicule the team over, and I'm a bit worried that Toronto F.C. (as opposed to S.C.) might provide such an opportunity. Sure we all know its called football round the world, but I can just see them chastising MLSE in print & on radio for going with Football Club instead of Soccer Club. Perhaps I'm totally off the mark & they won't, but I wouldn't be surprised

CC, I think you have valid concern. It crossed my mind as well. Why give anybody an obvious opportunity to kick us!

[Toronto F.C.]

CC, I think you have valid concern. It crossed my mind as well. Why give anybody an obvious opportunity to kick us!

Face it guys they "the soccer haters" will always despise our sport and knock it every chance they get. It doesn't matter what MLSE calls the team or if they field Ronaldo, Zidane and Beckham in their first season.... and nothing can be done to change that reality. The more we complain the more they'll do it. For them they figure getting tons of reaction by bashing the sport so why learn something new and try to offer insight into something they have little background and understanding of. I mean what can Bob McCowan really tell us about soccer that will make me want to tune in to the Fan???

Soccer's beauty is also its downfall with people in the media - its a qualitative sport not quantitative. How can someone like McCowan become an authority about a sport like soccer when he doesn't have numbers to back up his claims - no power play %'s, RBI's, yards rushed etc... How do you know how well a team played unless you watch and appreciate the game.

MLSE's mission first and foremost should be to convert the soccer fans in this market. If MLSE does a good job at selling and unifying the soccer community, then they will be a huge success. This will be the very first time in this city a pro soccer team will have an opportunity to go uncontested vs. rival leagues, and ethnic bashing (and this is with all do respect to the Toronto Lynx and the CPSL and their core group of fans -but so-called pro soccer has not existed in this town since the CSL.

People always point to average - poor attendance in the NASL. Yet looking up a number in Colin Jose's Record Book vs. the knowledge that the Blizzard were competing with a rival league that included several teams with solid fan bases - (Croatia, Toronto Italia, First Portuguese, Panalanic etc.) together with the ethnic media and corporate sponsors.

MLSE has to look at Lacrosse and NASCAR - both have grown through unified communities that love their respective sports. Over time casual fans like myself with very little background in these sports have slowly converted and tuned in because we appreciate an entertaining, professional, and affordable entertainment experience. Will the Rock ever be as popular as the Leafs? Of course not, yet like soccer it doesn't have to be to be regarded a success.

NASCAR, quietly without much recognition has grown into a massive entity. It was looked down upon as a circuit of hicks and hill billy drivers, but TV ratings and 150 000 people at each event, can care less what Jim Rome says about them or if they highlight package makes Sportscentre. The fans love it and are loyal to it and will only get bigger.

Regards,

Enzo

[RealGooner]

FC Dallas vs Toronto FC would definitely be an angle of a attack for those who like to ridicule soccer.

I don't think so. In Toronto, with such a large population that is pro-soccer I don't think the media will dare to ridicule soccer. Even McCown and Perkins don't ridicule soccer, they just attack MLSE and the stadium. It would happen in the US in many places, but in Toronto soccer is familiar and important to a large population, so I expect the media to be reluctant to risk alienating people by taking silly potshots.

[RealGooner]

Face it guys they "the soccer haters" will always despise our sport and knock it every chance they get. It doesn't matter what MLSE calls the team or if they field Ronaldo, Zidane and Beckham in their first season.... and nothing can be done to change that reality. The more we complain the more they'll do it. For them they figure getting tons of reaction by bashing the sport so why learn something new and try to offer insight into something they have little background and understanding of. I mean what can Bob McCowan really tell us about soccer that will make me want to tune in to the Fan???

Soccer's beauty is also its downfall with people in the media - its a qualitative sport not quantitative. How can someone like McCowan become an authority about a sport like soccer when he doesn't have numbers to back up his claims - no power play %'s, RBI's, yards rushed etc... How do you know how well a team played unless you watch and appreciate the game.

MLSE's mission first and foremost should be to convert the soccer fans in this market. If MLSE does a good job at selling and unifying the soccer community, then they will be a huge success. This will be the very first time in this city a pro soccer team will have an opportunity to go uncontested vs. rival leagues, and ethnic bashing (and this is with all do respect to the Toronto Lynx and the CPSL and their core group of fans -but so-called pro soccer has not existed in this town since the CSL.

People always point to average - poor attendance in the NASL. Yet looking up a number in Colin Jose's Record Book vs. the knowledge that the Blizzard were competing with a rival league that included several teams with solid fan bases - (Croatia, Toronto Italia, First Portuguese, Panalanic etc.) together with the ethnic media and corporate sponsors.

MLSE has to look at Lacrosse and NASCAR - both have grown through unified communities that love their respective sports. Over time casual fans like myself with very little background in these sports have slowly converted and tuned in because we appreciate an entertaining, professional, and affordable entertainment experience. Will the Rock ever be as popular as the Leafs? Of course not, yet like soccer it doesn't have to be to be regarded a success.

NASCAR, quietly without much recognition has grown into a massive entity. It was looked down upon as a circuit of hicks and hill billy drivers, but TV ratings and 150 000 people at each event, can care less what Jim Rome says about them or if they highlight package makes Sportscentre. The fans love it and are loyal to it and will only get bigger.

Regards,

Enzo

I agree with what you are saying, but I still think nascar sucks.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

Face it guys they "the soccer haters" will always despise our sport and knock it every chance they get. It doesn't matter what MLSE calls the team or if they field Ronaldo, Zidane and Beckham in their first season....

I'm well aware of all that. I don't think anyone is saying it is a bad concept per se. All that is being pointed out is that for most people in Canada pro football means the CFL and NFL rather than MLS so SC would perhaps be more appropriate and secondly that there already is an FC within MLS in Dallas (where they wanted to try to appeal to the Hispanic demographic by putting Futbol in the name in Spanish language media releases) so the name is basically taken unless people are happy to go with another Roughriders vs Rough Riders sort of scenario.

[SweetOwnGoal]

unless people are happy to go with the Roughriders vs Rough Riders sort of scenario.


The CFL is so fun! Rough Riders/Roughriders was one of the best things about that league. The thing being, both names had tradition in the market they were in. Who friggin’ cares if another team had the same name?

Tradition. The best names come from tradition. That's why it's cool Leaves is spelled wrong and why it's fun to explain why the Canadiens are called the Habs--and no, it has nothing to do with the H in the logo. And why, as dumb as the name was , Blizzards is the answer.

MLSE really think long and hard about that.

As to the question this thread addresses...prediction: in the first season some player, or journalist, or team executive will say something boneheaded about Canada and Toronto MLS' first rivalry will be born.