Toronto Sun Story About Last Saturday & My Thoughts

Toronto Sun story here with a few comments from myself.

Last week when we got off the bus in Toronto, I was interviewed by Brett Clarkson and a fellow Toronto Sun employee about what I thought about Toronto's atmosphere. I was one of maybe five Crew fans that were interviewed on that day.

I said, "I love any place with a nice atmosphere. I have been here two times this year and I enjoy any place where the fans can get behind their team like we do."

Then I was asked about the "rivalry"?
"Of course we throw a little banter back and forth. Myself personally, I'm just trying to get our fans hyped about the game. About the Trillum Cup. It's okay not to like each other during the game. But, if you can have a beer afterwards and share stories with people from other places then I think that's good as well. Whether it's here, DC, or Peoria. There are not that many MLS Supporters Groups out there so even if you don't like each other. At least have respect for each other. I respect anyone that can support their team the right way like we do."

About their atmosphere compared to ours?
"Your average fans might get more hyped then ours. But, our atmosphere is just as good. I would contest the Nordecke is the best, or at least getting closer each week, four-five sections in MLS."

Anyways, Mr. Clarkson sent me a follow up email Wednesday(through my address on the blog) wanting to talk to me about what exactly occured after the game. It was about a 30 minute conversation where I voiced my concerns. Basically, alot of us that went on the trip were upset because there were "quite a few families and children in our group." I said if, "two idiots are looking for trouble it's wrong but at least they are not bothering the rest of us, but when women and children are caught up in that, it's a real problem."

I also said overall that, "MLS security has absolutely no clue what they are doing." Doesn't matter where you go. In my opinion at most they waited 5-8 minutes after the "My Town" song was over to take us out. They also saw the TFC fans waiting there for us and instead of turning us around, they walked the Crew fans right into them. Luckily, the Toronto Police were more on their toes and right outside to break it up compared to the Toronto FC security.

I also voiced to Mr. Clarkson that, "It's a double standard. At least when we have problems we have cleaned them up rather quickly, especially after West Ham. We got rid of streamers on corner kicks, we got rid of some of the most derogatory chants, we have done self-policing, we haven't had beers thrown, and our front office at least sent a statement out about the incident."

"In Toronto they get to keep throwing streamers, throwing beers, and when they have fights at their stadium it goes unreported(until a week later which is better then nothing) and the club says nothing. If this was in Columbus it would be across the International news a hour after the game like the West Ham incident."

"And, in my opinion this was much worse then West Ham because we had women and children in the group of Crew fans who were being assaulted(luckily no one got injured). Additionally, the West Ham incident was started by their fans coming into our section and inciting it. Then some individuals in our section pushed them back to protect the section when security was doing nothing. It was just defensive on our part. Here one set of fans in MLS jumped another where most of the group were family and kids. They are both avoidable, but this was worse in my opinion."

"And, either incident is avoided if security just figures out how to do their jobs. And, I'm not saying hardcore lockdown tactics in MLS at all(I would downright hate that), I love the freedom of the Nordecke and it's easy to stop these incidents without impeding on anyone's soccer atmosphere. All you have to do is keep the Crew fans in their section for 30 minutes or even a hour in Toronto(better than an altercation). And, against West Ham, all you have to do is place some guards at the top of the section to intercept any incoming away fans. It's not that hard."

The double standard is displayed in my opinion by, "one story a week later compared to the 400 or so that Columbus received a day after West Ham. As well as MLS Rumors telling us to get our act together while they don't care to even report on TFC."

"After a while some Crew fans are going to be like look, you let them continue to toss streamers and do other things. So why can't we? Double standards are no good."

Anyways, at least a tip of the hat to Mr. Clarkson for at least reporting the event. A few comments were used from me. Click here.