Let's talk about Vancouver and Ottawa (For a change)

[Cashcleaner]

Yes, the Montreal deal looks dead in the water for the time being. And while I'm certain details from both the league and the bidders will eventually find their way here, I think we should also take note of the fact that Vancouver's and Ottawa's bids have both been accepted by Garber with little criticism.

Let's suppose that Vancouver and Ottawa are both brought in for the next round of expansion (a far-fetched scenario, but just bear with me). Given the fact that we would then have two more Canadian teams in the league, would we still plan all the roadtrips and activities for them as we would for Montreal?

It's early to talk about absolutes, but I'm getting the impression that the franchises in Vancouver and Ottawa may lose out on our enthusiasm simply because they're not Montreal. For the longest time that we've been talking about playing the Impact in MLS, we're constantly mentioning what sort of roadtrip numbers we might get and just how great the rivalry would become for both clubs and the sport itself here in Canada. I'm hoping that we don't quietly shelf all those plans just because Montreal is no longer a part of the equation.

[JonO]

Ottawa would be much better for road-trips, but I think Vancouver is a better football town. Not really that familiar with either of their bids though (or their chances) especially Ottawa...

[Parkdale]

Ottawa is a 5 hour drive. That's a very exciting prospect. We could easily take more people to Ottawa than we took to Columbus last season. Vancouver is obviously to far away for a "road" trip, but Ottawa would be a great weekend trip.

[flatpicker]

If Ottawa get in then I am totally up for creating a big rivalry with them.
Also, if they get in, I think we need to make a strong effort in encouraging the team to organise their seat sales so they leave a large section open for visiting fans (mainly us of course). Understandably, Toronto would offer the only large visiting support during the season, but if they held back a section then it could be used as their single ticket sales area when we are not invading their home.

I hope they make it in...
I almost rather Ottawa get in over Vancouver.
Vancouver already has a pro team that we play against in the Canadian Championship.
Adding Ottawa would do more to boost soccer in the country as it would add another opponent to the mix.

[BC101]

In order for there to be a rivalry with Ottawa the people of Ottawa would have to care first and i can't see them doing that.

[Roogsy]

The problem with Vancouver is that they are so far away the fact that they are still a part of Canada is easily overlooked. Otherwise, they are about as relevant to a Toronto FC fan as Seattle or San Jose. It's hard to get up for a rivalry that will have so much going against it.

Ottawa on the other hand could be a rivalry, but to be honest I think the MLS would be stupid to award them a franchise just because Melnyk has a lot of money.

[Cashcleaner]

^ Strangely, I think that Vancouver has got one of the better bids this time around, but the least amount of publicity here in Toronto.

I think for obvious reasons Ottawa is preferred out of both choices, but I'm still confident we could get a good contingent out to the West Coast for roadtrips. At least more than we would get for a place like KC, Dallas, San Jose, etc.

[flatpicker]

Well, at least I have some friends in Vancouver that I could stay with...
They just moved there, but had been to several TFC games with me before the bolted out of T.O.
I wonder who they would be cheering for though???

[Parkdale]

I wonder who they would be cheering for though???

it's pretty safe to say that if you live in Canada, and NOT in Toronto, then you dislike Toronto. It's pretty universal that way.

[flatpicker]

^ yes, but they are from here, and only moved out that way a few months ago...
But they weren't complete "nerd" fans like us, so maybe switching allegiance won't be hard.

[trane]

The only good thing about it, is that I cannot help but having a soft spot for Montreal, love the city and I like the way they play. I hate Ottawa naturally, and it is a deep passionate hate. That is one road trip I will be making.

[Nodoubtguy]

Vancouver = party time for me!!!
I have some friends on the sunshine coast just north of Vancouver, so I got a place to stay.

[Parkdale]

on thing that would kick serious ass - the being on the Via train up to Ottawa for the game. Ever car would be filled with Red!

[Cashcleaner]

^ If only they could be persuaded into giving us a better deal for booking as a group.

As for Vancouver, chartering a flight(s) seems like a good way to go! At least we won't have the hassle of international flight which is again why I think we could still get good numbers for Vancouver.

[brad]

I almost rather Ottawa get in over Vancouver.
Vancouver already has a pro team that we play against in the Canadian Championship.
Adding Ottawa would do more to boost soccer in the country as it would add another opponent to the mix.

Having Vancouver move up to MLS would help soccer in this country out substantially though. The Whitecaps do well for the USL, but they are a long way from being in the public eye. When they won the Championship, no one in the city even knew about it.

No one out that way cares about Toronto (or Ontario) for the most part. Vancouver in the MLS will raise the profile of soccer in Western Canada. Traditionally, BC has produced very good varsity level players, and having a larger operation out there could help them develop further. You would also have a better chance at pulling in people from the prairies as well.

[flatpicker]

^ I won't disagree with that.

I guess I just like the idea of more Canadian competition.

[Redcoe15]

In order for there to be a rivalry with Ottawa the people of Ottawa would have to care first and i can't see them doing that.

Word on that. I would much rather Vancouver get in at this point in time because they have the history and fan support to male it work in MLS. I really don't see how Ottawa can be successful. Just because Melnyk has a lot of dough and says he loves soccer, how has he shown that in the past the way Kerfoot and Saputo have shown? Are people gong to fill that stadium way out in Kanata? And is the city simply going to hand the land over to Melnyk so that he can build his stadium? I would think they'd much prefer a CFL team at this point than an MLS team.

[mighty_torontofc_2008]

In order for there to be a rivalry with Ottawa the people of Ottawa would have to care first and i can't see them doing that.

people said that for the soccer fans in To before TFC even kicked a ball...
the talk was the soccer fans would NOT support MLS, how right were they? Ottawa will support a MLS team, that there is no question, though
it will be supported better if they build the stadium downtown and not share with an proposed CFL team for Ottawa.

[SLBuu]

i'd be up for a trip to Ottawa!!

[JonO]

To Mighty: I don't buy that... I can't say any of us could have predicted how well TFC would be supported... (oh and by the way, the TV numbers for TFC games are still crap)

[Pigfynn]

In order for there to be a rivalry with Ottawa the people of Ottawa would have to care first and i can't see them doing that.

On Soccer Central this week they said that when they (Senators Ownership group) were doing their market research the data collected showed a stronger support for soccer in the Ottawa area than for hockey. No joke!

[rocker]

i hate montreal very naturally, but after a few visits to ottawa recently i'm starting to hate that town too. it's a shit town with nothing to do there, and if it wasn't for the gov being there they'd be Brantford. So if they get in I could feel a good rivalry there.
I almost want them to get in now just to spite Montreal.

Although I preferred montreal getting in cuz it would be an instant awesome rivalry and i think being in MLS would take Montreal to the next level of fanbase. People generally would care more and they'd get 20000 a game like us. If they all got into MLS, I calculated that Ottawa<->Montreal would actually be the shortest roadtrip in the league.

[gmacpheetfc]

^ you mean Kanata <--> Montreal would be the shortest trip they need new stadium plans Reno Old Lynx Stadium!!!!!

[mighty_torontofc_2008]

i hate montreal very naturally, but after a few visits to ottawa recently i'm starting to hate that town too. it's a shit town with nothing to do there, and if it wasn't for the gov being there they'd be Brantford. So if they get in I could feel a good rivalry there.
I almost want them to get in now just to spite Montreal.

Although I preferred montreal getting in cuz it would be an instant awesome rivalry and i think being in MLS would take Montreal to the next level of fanbase. People generally would care more and they'd get 20000 a game like us. If they all got into MLS, I calculated that Ottawa<->Montreal would actually be the shortest roadtrip in the league.

come on No other town in Canada could be as bad as brantford...we are hard to beat!! Ottawa will be a good rivalry, and Montreal will apply again
once their fianances get stronger. The add Vancouver later on, dispite they good presentation MLS said they no longer want big stadiums, so unless the Vancouver politicians get thier act fast Vancouver will be in the USL for a while yet.

[gmacpheetfc]

only set back
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/...3-9120babc6a36

[Parkdale]

and Montreal will apply again
once their fianances get stronger.

I seriously doubt it had much to do with the finances of Joey Saputo. He's a billionaire right?

Once the press conference reveals what the Impact has to say, I think we'll know a lot more about the situation.

[Mark in Ottawa]

Well obviously I would love a team here in Ottawa but there are so many hurdles and barriers being thrown up that I see it as a real challenge.

The city government is not well known for its support of sports teams, professional or otherwise. Right now the issue of urban transportation has them tied in knots.

Eugene Melnyk runs a first class organization with the Ottawa Senators but lets face it... its hockey and so not much of a "hard sell". Soccer will be something else.
It very much looks like if Mr. Melnyk wants to make a go of it he will be going alone.

I am not much in favour of the Kanata location given its present availability by car and bus. But I love the game and would still want seasons tickets.

Enticing the more casual fans of the game is the big challenge and the great unknown in all of this.

[MG42]

i hate montreal very naturally, but after a few visits to ottawa recently i'm starting to hate that town too. it's a shit town with nothing to do there, and if it wasn't for the gov being there they'd be Brantford.

[mighty_torontofc_2008]

I seriously doubt it had much to do with the finances of Joey Saputo. He's a billionaire right?

Once the press conference reveals what the Impact has to say, I think we'll know a lot more about the situation.

But he wanted (needed) Gilette in as a partner, and the less said about Gilette the beter. If we Could Get MTL, Ott, Van into MLS all the better for canadian soccer, with Victoria in the USL, maybe Edm or Cal in there
as well it would give Canadian soccer a much needed boast.

[Mark in Ottawa]

after a few visits to ottawa recently i'm starting to hate that town too. it's a shit town with nothing to do there, and if it wasn't for the gov being there they'd be Brantford. .

But Brantford isn't just across the river from Quebec now is it?

If they all got into MLS, I calculated that Ottawa<->Montreal would actually be the shortest roadtrip in the league.

Which was one reason that the AAA baseball team in Ottawa was so popular when they were the farm team of the Expos. A short trip to watch "your guys" getting a shot in the big league!