It should have been expected.   Shut a league down (for good enough reason), for two weeks, and you get what you get first game back.  Yawner!

If the world cup is to sell the game of soccer in North America, what we saw from the LA Galaxy and Toronto FC Saturday night was from the 99=cents bin of a used book store. 

Chances to score, none.  Exciting moments?  None.  Selling points to convince a first timer the game is worth trying again?  None from the pitch.

I know the men tried hard.  It was indeed an off night.  Yes Toronto kept the leagues top team off the score-sheet for the second time this season.  The only consolation that is meaningful for the standings, but not marketable.

Toronto FC has traded the very young, very well liked midfielder Sam Cronin to San Jose for allocation money.

Sam will be missed by his teammates and by fans and those who got to know him during his brief stay.   Taken second overall by Toronto in the 2009 MLS Superdraft, Cronin was effective and willing to learn.  he started most of the games he played last season, but this year under coach Preki it has been a different story.

TFC fans may wonder why a player who is teachable and a good teammate would be delt while things seem to be going well as the team awaits the LA galaxy this Saturday at BMO field.  Its those same fans who have to place their trust in coach Preki and the decisions he has been making on the roster from the day he arrived.   So far the head coach has made the right moves in order to move this team forward.

I will say this about Sam Cronin.  he may not be a superstar in this league (MLS), but he will play for a long long time and be  effective.

By Dan Dunleavy

At the wisely MLS imposed World Cup break, I would have to conclude that if the team stays healthy then TFC is bound for the playoffs.

Leaders that I have so far seen born from their own efforts or Preki’s moves include, DeRosario, Cann, Attakoa, Labrocca, Gargan and Frei.

Peterson, Usanov and Sanyang are up-and-comers in my eyes as they return from injury or adjust to their new surroundings.

In my mind, some very young players on this team should be judged fair – alas, not with kid gloves for fear I may lack truth in my words.

White needs to play like he can. We have seen O’Brien come off the bench and be a difference maker early in the season but it has been a few games between eye opening efforts.

Martin Saric is more comfortable in the midfield and is playing well. However, hard challenges need to be timed better to do away with yellow cards and giving up set pieces.

All-in-all this team is sound. They just need “sharpening.”  In MLS ranks, this team is good enough to be a playoff team. To win a playoff game, coach Preki – I sense – knows the “sharper” play is what this group needs to strive for.

By Dan Dunleavy

This shout-out goes to the real Canadian Champs.  TFC fans who braved the wind and rain to watch a meaningless game at BMO field.

Toronto FC and Vancouver did not dazzle anyone with the scoreless draw Wednesday night.

What did dazzle was the enthusiasm of the faithful TFC Red Patch Boys and all the supporters.  Jumping, stomping, singing!  The Blue Jays and the sleepy sleepy Rogers Centre should be so fortunate to have fans like the ones who show up to TFC games.

I don’t care for anyone’s argument about 80 games vs 15 plus Jays vs TFC at home. Fact is TFC has THE BEST fans in Toronto sports, period!

Leafs fans are faithful, but the best?  They are quiet, take anything the team throws at them in way of product and keep buying it.

Jays fans. Boring.  End of story.

Raptors fans. A little more energy but still nothing close to what TFC faithful bring.

TFC fans proved it last night.  They don’t need to be prompted when to cheer.  They know how to bother opposing players in style and with brash bravado including the famous streamer toss at the corner.

The rest of Toronto should get on board with TFC’s faithful.  Don’t believe everything you hear about the loud and caffeine-or-other-libation-charged crew.  Wear red, come to yell and sing, and they will quickly include you into the family.

See you Saturday at BMO.

This will be a night that will not get as much pump as the Jays winning ways of late.  It wont get as much pump as Brian Burke suggesting he might be close to moving his best defenceman in a trade over the next few weeks on The FAN yesterday.  It will not get as much pump as Chris Bosh and his buddy Hedo with the raptors. 

But!  Tonight’s events at BMO field are significant for this Toronto FC franchise.  I call it, saving face in a sense.  For now, right or wrong, Toronto FC has to  win the Canadian Championship, The Nutrilite Championship, The Voyageurs Cup, just to save face as they ( who are they) say.    Facts first and emotions aside if you are from Vancouver or Montreal, Toronto Fc has the more talented line up and should, being an MLS team. 

I called play by by for the USL for years in Toronto and enjoyed the brand of soccer for what it is.  Hard nosed, gritty players, mucking away at showing someone, anyone they deserve a shot at MLS.  My favorite USL player of all time has to be Brian Ashton.  A midfielder with The Toronto Lynx.  There was a player who would stick in on every ball that went through the middle of the park.  left or right side, dead center midfield,  if you had the ball, you knew Ashton was coming.

Back to this evening.  TFC captain Dewayne DeRosario will raise the Voyageurs Cup as it is presented to him, for the first time infront of HIS team and HIS hometown fans.  Retired captain Jim Brennan did the honours last season.

Don’t expect to see much of Dero on the pitch tonight, if at all.  This man has travelled a lot of miles lately, and they were not via first class. 

Should be a good chance to see some young players in Toronto’s plans get a full game in.  I look forward to calling the action tonight live at FAN590.com, and hope you can find some time to tune us in!

By: David Alter

Toronto FC called up at least seven different players from their Academy team in preparation for TFC’s match against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The game is essentially meaningless since Vancouver’s 1-1 draw with Montreal allowed TFC to clinch.

Head Coach Preki addressed the media to set up the match and talk about his team’s play as of late.