Toronto FC Home Opener: Great Fun

Watching the newly born Toronto FC play their home opener was incredibly exciting. Despite many chances to net their first team goal, the TFC were were shut out by the visiting Kansas City Wizards by a score of 1-0. But that, and the chilly and cloudy weather didn't put a damper on any of the fun it seems.

Pre-game activities for kids and adults filled the lot outside BMO field, there was plenty of raucous cheering and jeering, and the general vibe at the game was enthusiastic. Multicultural was the theme of the half-time show, with African, Chinese, Ukrainian, and Irish dancer troupes taking to the field.

Stomping on the aluminum stands, chanting "All we are saying, is give us a goal" (a play on the John Lennon song Give Peace a Chance), watching the stands erupt at the slightest of chances, and the view of our iconic skyline in the distance created an atmosphere unlike other pro sports in Toronto.

Photos of the game and more follow...

We still have a few things to learn though - like getting used to watching the players roll around in (sometimes real, other times faked) pain. When the Wizards scored, fans threw beer and cups at the celebrating players, prompting the announcer to warn the fans over the loudspeakers. Is that proper footie etiquette? Depends where you are, I suppose ;)

The team is young, and they seem to be struggling with basic passing (the made countless poor giveaways) and control in general. To be fair, the team has only been together since February, and they lack marquee players. It'll be exciting to get out to future games, whether they become winners soon or not, and I'm already looking forward to cheering them on again this summer.