All signs are pointing to a Spanish summer in the GTA, at least as far as Toronto FC are concerned.
Plans are nearing completion for one of the world’s biggest soccer clubs to visit BMO Field, as Real Madrid are set to be unveiled in the next few days as TFC’s opponents for a friendly match to be played on Friday, Aug. 7.
The nine-time European champions will be travelling to North America for a two-game series against Major League Soccer opposition, with a game in Washington against D.C. United – announced yesterday – to take place on Sunday, Aug. 9, two days after the visit to Toronto.
As a result, the originally scheduled fixture against the New York Red Bulls has been moved from Aug. 9 to Saturday, June 13, which Paul Beirne, TFC’s senior director of business operations, confirmed yesterday.
Toronto FC will also be installing a temporary grass surface on top of the artificial turf at BMO Field to accommodate the 31-time Spanish league champions, although whether that surface will remain in place for the remainder of TFC’s MLS schedule is not known.
Ticket prices have also yet to be confirmed, although Toronto FC are said to be pursuing another opponent for a second exhibition game to fulfill their one-game commitment to season ticket holders, enabling the Real Madrid tickets to be sold at a premium, and not inclusive of season ticket packages.