A couple days ago B.A. Duane published the letter TFC supporters sent to Crew GM Mark McCullers back in April (hey, another page view!) detailing why they wouldn't be back in Crew Stadium:
. . . it is our opinion that it was poor planning by security and unprofessional behaviour by police that pushed the situation past a few minor, isolated incidents.
I actually wrote up a blog entry about that letter, and threw it away because I didn't figure it was worth the comment moderation. And anyway, shortly after that, BigSoccer blogger Mike Gray more or less approximated most of what I had to say:
. . .TFC supporters that day were a collective squadron of extra strength douche bags and have had it coming.
It's not as nuanced as I would say it, but you get the idea. The fact that TFC supporters still fail to recognize even a modicum of truth in that statement is why everyone still laughs at them when they bring up their boycott of the Crew. Not only that, the Toronto Star article Mike references is full of TFC supporters groups showing how it's not really about efforts that "ensure the safety and security of all soccer fans in a peaceful, appropriate manner, " but rather about the TFC supporters groups "trying to make a bit of a statement" by not coming, saying the new safety regulations are heavy handed, and claiming they'll come down anyway it it's a CONCACAF match. So, yeah, they still don't get it.
Hopefully this loss will help TFC out of the playoffs (ching!), and none of us have to worry about them for another year.
What do you get for the TFC fan who has everything? Why, a blog post of the "Top Ten TFC Legends". That's right, the team with an all time league record of 23-39-22 has not just one, but ten legends. Part I and Part II for your viewing pleasure.
Finally, Ives:
The Columbus Crew-Toronto FC rivalry has developed into one of the better ones in the league, due in no small part to the scores of TFC fans who make the trip down to Ohio. Those fans were sent home sad on Saturday night when Jason Garey headed home a last-second game-winning goal to give Columbus a 3-2 victory and sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference.
The emphasis is mine.
1) TFC fans boycotted the damn game (yeah, it looked like there were a few). Ives, you're supposed to be the news guy.
2) TFC fans who come to post obscene banners and throw railings, garbage and flares at people/onto the field do not make their games with Columbus a good rivalry.
3) As Crew fans have stated, Toronto probably has to win a game against the Crew before this series is anything close to a rivarly.
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