Printable View
Mornin'
TFC TV
Preseason In Florida: Day 3
In the mind of Michael Bradley
Leiweke: Hybrid grass option for BMO
TFC rookie excited about Canadian adventure
Could MLSE add Argos?
Leiweke takes MLSE on a new financial path
Morrow happy to be a member of Toronto FC
Shoalts: MLSE outlines plans for stadium renovation, with eye on NFL team
TFC/MLS related blogs
SUNSHINE
I listed to the interview that Leiweke did with the Fan last night and he sounded as if the Argos to BMO with out without MLSE owning them was a done deal as it appears to be part of his pitch in getting the government onboard with their plans to renovate BMO. They're quickly killing the good feelings that they've earned with me because there's nothing that I want less than to see the Argos at BMO under any circumstance for any reason. I'd take no roof, no Defoe, no Bradley if it meant no Argos. Once the Argos move in, the entire future of TFC is changed forever - it can never go back once those changes are made. Without Defoe/Bradley we'd still suck but we'd at least still have future options.
Enjoy this season. It'll be the last as it is.
Wow. I couldn't disagree more. As for the future being changed forever, it's highly presumptuous to assume it will be in negative sense. We could very well end up with one of the premier soccer venues in MLS when all is said and done.Quote:
Originally Posted by CretanBull
THE hope is we will end up with a premier venue, soccer is always going to be the number 1 tenent at BMO - because we are more visible internationally, will have more friendlies with big teams big money. pointy ball is not like that.Quote:
Originally Posted by ManUtd4ever
also folks what if the argos were here since day 1? would you not have bought seasons tickets?
I truly agree that this may end up with us having the best soccer stadium in mls! imagine no more wait lines at the washrooms!!! enclosed stadium!!!
i think its time our memberships embraces the argos, and starts working proactively with mlse in ensuring that TFC and its supporters are looked after...hey maybe we can negotiate the supporters getter our own entrance...storage facilty?
You don't invest a 100 million dollars into your soccer franchise to immediately screw around with the overall experience.
I have faith in TL that we will end up with a much nicer stadium & a roof which we have all cried about for years with minimal effect if any of having the Argos involved.
Start digging.
You sum up my thoughts exactly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluenose13
Love the Weedman's quote: "I don't know why they needed to sign two DP strikers when they have me on top." :lol:
The "greatest finisher of the modern era" knows how to tell a good joke.
Is he talking about you Greg? lol.....Quote:
Originally Posted by CretanBull
Quote:
Kurtis Larson @KurtLarSUN9m
TFC fan today said they'd rather ditch Bradley, Defoe and winning team than share a venue with Argos. That, my friends, is lunacy.
This and you'd also have to think that the team who makes money would take precedent over the only who perennially loses money.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluenose13
Also, TL openly said that getting TFC to be a worldwide brand was important and there has already been Asian tour rumors. Right now, because of all the moves this off season, TFC is known in a lot of places. You think anyone, anywhere outside of Canada, ex-pats excluded along with the odd American has a clue who the Argos are? TL is about thinking big. Anyone who puts the Argos in that category is deluding themselves. Argos are a stop gap move to get the NFL here. Nothing more, northing less. I don't think TL is stupid enough to trash a franchise they plan on holding on to long term (and that they just resuscitated mind you) for one that they'll likely fold in one way or another in 5 years or so. If all works out for them that is.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ageroo
:yesnod:
Congrats, CretanBull. You are now a source for Kurt Larson. I mean...my consolations..
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fort York Redcoat
Ha! It sure sounds like it!Quote:
Originally Posted by Ageroo
In my defence, he mischaracterized my point of view. My point is that once the Argos are in they are in for good and that changes things forever for us. On the flip side, adding Bradley and Defoe aren't the only ways we have of improving our team (they are the quickest). So if our options are the Argos + a quick fix for TFC or no Argos and a slower re-build for TFC, I'd take the later. So I'm not giving up on "a winning team", I'm choosing a slower build over a quick fix. Considering that MLSE were willing to spend the money on multiple DPs without bringing in the Argos, it wouldn't have to be a dramatically slower build either. For effect, I created a set of false options that doesn't exist in the real world. It's not as if it's one or the other - we can have DPs and a roof without the Argos.
We've gone from an absolute promise of grass, to a probable replacement of a grass/plastic hybrid; if the players (present and future) are fine with that it then doesn't bother me, but I'm really not sure what the consensus is among players on hybrid surfaces. And yes, I am fully aware of all of the stadiums that use it...it doesn't affect Arsenal's ability to attract players, but we're not paying Arsenal-like wages and there isn't a ruby team in the Emeriates. Does it affect Reading's ability? There's definitely been concerns expressed about the playing surface at Madejski Stadium.
We know that in addition to a CFL field being larger (longer and wider) it also requires more space beyond the end-zones and along the side-lines. For a soccer game there's probably about 15-20 people (subs, coaches, trainers etc) per team in the bench area. For a CFL game it's probably around 50-60. You can't accommodate them without significant changes. A retractable South stand doesn't solve the problems that the addition of a CFL team brings, and to tell us that is hogwash.
The bottom line is that we know this move isn't about improving the experience at BMO or securing anything for TFC - it's about dumping the Argos somewhere to clear the way for MLSE's NFL dreams.
:lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ageroo
Could an NFL team in Toronto and an expected NFL type stadium mean the Argos move to this new football stadium down the road? It would seem easier to modify the lines from NFL to CFL over CFL to soccer?
Also, will the extra seats at BMO be red?
Dom.
+1. I'm no fan of the Argos being at BMO, but considering what TL has done so far I'm willing to let this thing play out a little further before doom and gloom sets in. I'm optimistic that this will work out for the best (not something said often)Quote:
Originally Posted by ManUtd4ever
That's some pretty strong kool-aid you gulped down!Quote:
Originally Posted by ManUtd4ever
Ah, the traditional Kool-Aid response. I digress, please carry on with the Chicken Little routine.Quote:
Originally Posted by Redcoe15
And in the meantime, you carry on believing that Phineas Tim's semen tastes like cotton candy, and I'll continue to keep my optimisim guarded until it's fully earned, mmmmkay? There are no trophies rewarded for big name signings, the proof of whether or not they'll work will be determined on the pitch with a still green coach, and this too-good-to-be-true plan of renovating BMO Field has a better chance of becoming a disaster than a success.Quote:
Originally Posted by ManUtd4ever
:lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Redcoe15
I think I will take the word of an accomplished former stadium construction magnate regarding the viability of ground sharing over the senseless whining and cynicism of a person such as yourself. Enjoy.
[mod edit]Quote:
Originally Posted by ManUtd4ever
There are more "whining and cynical" people here who've been told in the past eight years that there would be light at the end of the tunnel for TFC. And a lot of us have been just as optimistic about that as you are. And what ends up happening is that light is from an oncoming locomotive that runs us over. A lot of us have grown sick and tired of this.
Every MLS team, past and present, has made the postseason, except our side. Reputations have been ruined here. We haven't won shit in this league. We have become the laughing stock of MLS.
So you'll excuse me if I don't share you [mod edit] optimisim right now about Phineas Tim. After eight years of getting [mod edit], my faith has to be earned. And it will take more than a few big name signings to do that. And if you can't grasp that, then say hello to my ignore mode [mod edit]
You might want to cool it just a tad.Quote:
Originally Posted by Redcoe15
No one is giving TFC the Cup today. But you can't deny the fact that they've had a very good offseason. It's not just big names. They've added MLS vets in Morrow and Jackson. They signed a 24 year old striker who scored 14 goals in Brazil last year. If you're in to symbolic gestures, and I get the feeling you're not, then DeRo coming back is also very significant.
TFC were the laughing stock of MLS, no doubt, but the reaction around the league has been very positive about this offseason. Things have changed around here. We started training camp with a full roster for crying out loud. Will it translate into a playoff appearance? Who knows. I guess we'll have to wait and see. But giving credit where credit is due for the work done so far doesn't mean we enjoy Tim Leiweke's semen, although I'm sure it tastes exemplary.
I agree for the most part no body is talking champioships here, But lets give TL some credit , Like you said we actually have a full roster at camp for the foirst time,Quote:
Originally Posted by mowe
You're assuming that he has the best of intentions for TFC & the Argos. The problem is that no one believes that MSLE's purchase of the Argos has anything to do with anything other than removing them as an obstacle to a NFL team. With that being the prize, he's not going to let the Argos ruin his master-plan and if that means changing things for TFC then so be it. Can it work? Yeah, probably. Is it ideal? Not by a long shot. Will it forever change our experience? Absolutely.Quote:
Originally Posted by ManUtd4ever
Leiweke is well on the record acknowledging the importance and value in having a soccer specific stadium, he's publicly made all of the same arguments that many of us here have made. But now that the Argos are a thorn in his NFL dream side he suddenly doesn't think that SSS are integral to the future and success of the league? He's arguing against himself.
The reality is that he knows exactly how important a SSS is, he's just willing to settle for 2nd best for us if it means clearing the path for a NFL team (that might not even come anyway).
I'm trying really hard to stay positive and give the new guys a clean slate and a fresh start but when it comes to this issue at least we're seeing more of the same old lies and spin.
This group and most TFC supporters have been against the Argos at BMO for years because we understand what it means. A slick talking new President with big dreams doesn't change any of the issues that we literally protested against. The best they can say is that it's not as bad as it would have been, but that doesn't make it good.
I'm not saying TFC didn't have a good off season. I'm just tempering my enthusiasm until we see just how this team jells. Can they succeed? Sure they could. But it's also quite possible they could fall short of expectations. A lot depends on what Ryan Nelson does. This guy's still learning on the job as a coach. It's also important to know how Dafoe will adjust playing in MLS with its different style of play and gruelling travel.Quote:
Originally Posted by mowe
We've seen examples where teams go out and spend a boatload of money on talent and that talent ends up failing them. With the bad karma TFC has had over the years, all I'm saying is I'm from Missouri.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redcoe15
Quote:
Originally Posted by ManUtd4ever
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redcoe15
Have you guys lost your minds? Bring the language down about ten notches please.Quote:
Originally Posted by Redcoe15
- Scott