A
andreapalladio
Guest
Yep, pretty much the way Pele's presence bought the league a season or two of pr in the 70s.
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Yep, pretty much the way Pele's presence bought the league a season or two of pr in the 70s.
N
nassauone
Guest
There are plenty of aging superstars who would like to come to NA to end their game playing years.
I am excited. The 20000 seater was a must for us to get the finals of the under-19's this year.
For the price of one middle of the road Leaf game I got 20 soccer games. 15 TOFC and 5 additional games (say vs. touring teams) along with first dibs on the finals of the WC.
This signing while as outrageous in cost as it is, is a good thing for MLS. The LA Galaxy are only on the hook for a small portion of the contract, the larger portion is incentive and entertainment based. I believe Simon Fuller's company (yes, he of American Idol fame) has something to do with all of this.
But just to put a quarter billion dollar contract in perspective. In just two hours goldenballs will make what the lowest paid playing member of the Galaxy will make all year.
I am excited. The 20000 seater was a must for us to get the finals of the under-19's this year.
For the price of one middle of the road Leaf game I got 20 soccer games. 15 TOFC and 5 additional games (say vs. touring teams) along with first dibs on the finals of the WC.
This signing while as outrageous in cost as it is, is a good thing for MLS. The LA Galaxy are only on the hook for a small portion of the contract, the larger portion is incentive and entertainment based. I believe Simon Fuller's company (yes, he of American Idol fame) has something to do with all of this.
But just to put a quarter billion dollar contract in perspective. In just two hours goldenballs will make what the lowest paid playing member of the Galaxy will make all year.
B
billonlogan
Guest
Pele and Best brought short term success to the NASL in the 70's but failed by not developing recognizable "home grown" stars. In Toronto FC's case, the novelty of the new stadium will draw capacity crowds for the first few games, but attendance will wane quickly if results at the international level don't improve. Canada sits 82 on FIFA Men's World Rankings. In the 80's, the Vancouver Whitecaps developed loads of Canadian players, like Bobby and Sam Lenarduzzi, Buzz Parsons, and Glen Johnson, and certainly helped Canada reach its only World Cup appearance in 1986. I'd like to see a territorial rule in the MLS, where Canadian players like Dwayne De Rosario play with Canadian based teams. This would really spur interest and make for a more exciting product on the field.
B
blixa442
Guest
From what I gather there is a territorial rule in MLS. I think at least half of the roster will have to be Canadian, if not more.
C
cacruden
Guest
I think the David Beckham move to LA is great news!
He may not be the same as he was in the prime, but I believe that this may lead to a few more "stars" coming to play in the MLS. Either way, he will be a draw, and I think his game (which has suffered as late) at Real Madrid -- will improve again (again not to his prime).
Until this announcement I totally missed seeing that the MLS had expanded into Toronto. This is even better news! The stadium is fine, although I wish they had built an overhang to shade/shelter the stands a little though.
He may not be the same as he was in the prime, but I believe that this may lead to a few more "stars" coming to play in the MLS. Either way, he will be a draw, and I think his game (which has suffered as late) at Real Madrid -- will improve again (again not to his prime).
Until this announcement I totally missed seeing that the MLS had expanded into Toronto. This is even better news! The stadium is fine, although I wish they had built an overhang to shade/shelter the stands a little though.
A
adma
Guest
All that banking on Pele and Best in making North Americans ga-ga about soccer reminds me of the supposed market for 70s Euro-cars: all those Renaults, Fiats, British Leylands...
J
Jarrek
Guest
Season Tickets
10,000 Season tickets sold as of January 15, 2007.
10,000 Season tickets sold as of January 15, 2007.
B
Bogtrotter
Guest
Re: Season Tickets
That's great. Actually the MLS has had quite consistent annual attendance over the past decade, with the league averaging about 15k last year. If Toronto can get around that figure it will certainly be deemed a success.
That's great. Actually the MLS has had quite consistent annual attendance over the past decade, with the league averaging about 15k last year. If Toronto can get around that figure it will certainly be deemed a success.
C
cacruden
Guest
I don't expect north american's to go ga-ga over soccer, but I hope that professional soccer grows in popularity in the US and in Canada (maybe it will even catch up to Hockey in the US -- that is not a very high goal :rollin ).
B
bizorky
Guest
^Now that you mention it, I think that soccer has more potential in the US than hockey. There are a huge number of kids who have played soccer. Exposure to hockey is much more restricted, and more expensive to play.
Soccer is building popularity from the ground up; pro hockey entered many
markets in the form of an already successful league. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Soccer is building popularity from the ground up; pro hockey entered many
markets in the form of an already successful league. It will be interesting to see what happens.
B
Bogtrotter
Guest
^Certainly in some US markets, particularly southern cities such as Miami, LA, Houston which have large Hispanic populations. Dallas seems to love it's hockey 
Toronto has never had decent pro soccer before, so it will be a real test here.
Toronto has never had decent pro soccer before, so it will be a real test here.
W
wyliepoon
Guest
Toronto FC doesn't plan on signing a big name player yet...
The Globe
Link to article
Toronto FC feels Beckham impact
LARRY MILLSON
Globe and Mail Update
Toronto — Toronto FC is already feeling a positive impact of David Beckham's signing with the Los Angeles Galaxy for the upcoming season, but coach Mo Johnston feels no immediate pressure for his team to try to immediately sign a star player of its own.
The Major League Soccer expansion team said Monday that it has sold more than 10,000 season tickets for its first season at BMO Field with about 2,600 of those coming since Thursday's announcement that Beckham would when his contract with Real Madrid expired, he would play for Los Angeles.
Johnston said Beckham's signing is good for the league but he will pick his spots before making a move to sign a designated player that the league allows.
"We don't have to keep up with the Joneses, we'll crawl before we walk," Johnston said Monday at the Air Canada Centre where the team introduced three of its choices from Friday's draft.
The MLS has a salary cap but each team can sign a designated star player, which became known as the Beckham rule even before he was signed.
"We have no desire to go out right now and get a designated player," Johnston said. "We're building a franchise."
He said most of the Canadian players who are playing overseas not yet available. "We'll see who becomes available in the summer and if we can do it we'll do it," he said. "Our time will come for this franchise to go out and buy a big-name player and it won't be this year, it might not be next year," Johnston said.
But eventually he said the time will be right.
Beckham's contract with Real Madrid expires June 30 but indications are from the team that he won't be played any more since he has signed with L.A. That has led to speculation that he might be able to play earlier than expected in the MLS.
MLS commissioner Don Garber though released a statement on Monday denying some reports along this line.
"David Beckham remains a member of the Real Madrid club until his contract expires June 30," the statement said. "Unless otherwise informed, we are looking forward to welcoming David this summer following the end of his contract with Real Madrid.
"There have been many recent reports from the news media that have attributed incorrect quotes from my office, including fabricated quotes that were attributed directly to me earlier today. I am out of the country in Mexico and have not spoken with any journalists since the afternoon of Jan. 13. We hope that journalists will be respectful and professional with covering this story."
Toronto FC introduced three of its four draft choices Monday, including the first pick over all from last Friday's process, Maurice Edu , is a defensive midfielder from the University of Maryland. He has signed a five-year deal.
Also at the conference were midfielder Rich Asante who was born in Ghana and raised in Toronto and forward Jeff Gonsalves of Newmarket, Ont. Toronto's other pick defender Andrew Boyens was at home in New Zealand.
Johnston said that forward Edson Buddle has agreed to contract terms. Buddle was acquired via trade from Red Bull New York in November.
Johnston says his team is "comfortable all through the field" but hopes to sign a pair of internationals within the next 10 days: a "seasoned pro" who is captain of both his club and national side and a younger player. The team is still looking for a playmaker in central midfield, a left-sided midfielder, a backup goalie and some forward help. Toronto FC has money to spare, with $625,000 (U.S.) left under the cap and $900,000 in so-called "allocation" money outside the cap, according to Johnston. "We're sitting pretty." With files from Canadian Press
The Globe
Link to article
Toronto FC feels Beckham impact
LARRY MILLSON
Globe and Mail Update
Toronto — Toronto FC is already feeling a positive impact of David Beckham's signing with the Los Angeles Galaxy for the upcoming season, but coach Mo Johnston feels no immediate pressure for his team to try to immediately sign a star player of its own.
The Major League Soccer expansion team said Monday that it has sold more than 10,000 season tickets for its first season at BMO Field with about 2,600 of those coming since Thursday's announcement that Beckham would when his contract with Real Madrid expired, he would play for Los Angeles.
Johnston said Beckham's signing is good for the league but he will pick his spots before making a move to sign a designated player that the league allows.
"We don't have to keep up with the Joneses, we'll crawl before we walk," Johnston said Monday at the Air Canada Centre where the team introduced three of its choices from Friday's draft.
The MLS has a salary cap but each team can sign a designated star player, which became known as the Beckham rule even before he was signed.
"We have no desire to go out right now and get a designated player," Johnston said. "We're building a franchise."
He said most of the Canadian players who are playing overseas not yet available. "We'll see who becomes available in the summer and if we can do it we'll do it," he said. "Our time will come for this franchise to go out and buy a big-name player and it won't be this year, it might not be next year," Johnston said.
But eventually he said the time will be right.
Beckham's contract with Real Madrid expires June 30 but indications are from the team that he won't be played any more since he has signed with L.A. That has led to speculation that he might be able to play earlier than expected in the MLS.
MLS commissioner Don Garber though released a statement on Monday denying some reports along this line.
"David Beckham remains a member of the Real Madrid club until his contract expires June 30," the statement said. "Unless otherwise informed, we are looking forward to welcoming David this summer following the end of his contract with Real Madrid.
"There have been many recent reports from the news media that have attributed incorrect quotes from my office, including fabricated quotes that were attributed directly to me earlier today. I am out of the country in Mexico and have not spoken with any journalists since the afternoon of Jan. 13. We hope that journalists will be respectful and professional with covering this story."
Toronto FC introduced three of its four draft choices Monday, including the first pick over all from last Friday's process, Maurice Edu , is a defensive midfielder from the University of Maryland. He has signed a five-year deal.
Also at the conference were midfielder Rich Asante who was born in Ghana and raised in Toronto and forward Jeff Gonsalves of Newmarket, Ont. Toronto's other pick defender Andrew Boyens was at home in New Zealand.
Johnston said that forward Edson Buddle has agreed to contract terms. Buddle was acquired via trade from Red Bull New York in November.
Johnston says his team is "comfortable all through the field" but hopes to sign a pair of internationals within the next 10 days: a "seasoned pro" who is captain of both his club and national side and a younger player. The team is still looking for a playmaker in central midfield, a left-sided midfielder, a backup goalie and some forward help. Toronto FC has money to spare, with $625,000 (U.S.) left under the cap and $900,000 in so-called "allocation" money outside the cap, according to Johnston. "We're sitting pretty." With files from Canadian Press
J
Jarrek
Guest
Season's
10,500 sold as of January 16, 2007.
10,500 sold as of January 16, 2007.
B
blixa442
Guest
Re: Season's
...three months prior to the season kick off. I really hope they cap it at around 15K.
...three months prior to the season kick off. I really hope they cap it at around 15K.
B
Bogtrotter
Guest
Re: Season's
Indeed.. and good luck getting Beckham tickets!
Indeed.. and good luck getting Beckham tickets!