Toronto FC: Toronto FC/Canada Soccer Discussion Thread - 2023 Edition

[Amadeus]

This Bob Manning and Bradley management team has to go. They've been absolutely terrible.

 

[fancy lad]

thanks to TSN i was able to catch the game. all i can say is i'm not really all that jazzed about buying tickets or spending on some streaming service.

Like some of you have already mentioned, the Manning Bradley era is pretty lackluster to say the least.

Yeah they're better than last season (which was a complete and utter joke that they managed to assemble such a ragtag group), but man they still have some glaring needs. Mainly at striker. Ayo Akinola sucks and just doesn't have "it". He really should not be getting a look by the national team if Canada has any real ambitions.

Also what the hell happened to Richie Laryea? I remember him being way better than he has shown last 2 games (the only games i have seen this year). All i see is an entitled, arrogant player right now. Going down all the time and then acting like a douchebag to the ref or to the opposition. No tenacity or craftiness that he shown over the last few years. Maybe Nottingham Forrest were right.

 

[robertmac43]

Also what the hell happened to Richie Laryea? I remember him being way better than he has shown last 2 games (the only games i have seen this year). All i see is an entitled, arrogant player right now. Going down all the time and then acting like a douchebag to the ref or to the opposition. No tenacity or craftiness that he shown over the last few years. Maybe Nottingham Forrest were right.

I think he has some fatigue setting in from the heavy fixture list recently. He was also on his worse side marking one of the better young players in the league.

I'm making excuses cause i love Ritchie, but i do think these factors played into his poor night.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[robertmac43]

Interesting trade to hopefully bring in some more goals.

 

[fancy lad]

It's funny. i saw on instagram that TFC lost yet again. I still "follow them" despite not actually following them anymore. Based on the results and the comments the team looks like they're in shambles.

But it got me thinking... How much has the move to apple tv hurt MLS and Toronto FC? Surely fan numbers and viewership is down this year. It HAS to be. I am a big soccer/football fan. It's my favorite sport.... i have been a fan of TFC since year 1 and if a supporter such as myself said "enough is enough" because of the apple TV switch, then i am sure plenty of others did as well. Even on this board, we used to chime in after pretty much every match, but this year it's very little.

I don't know about other MLS teams. Maybe american viewership is not affected that much, but I think it was a really ballsy move for a relatively young and unestablished league for force fans to change their viewing methods and make it more difficult for them. I can't imagine it's paying off.... but i wonder what the actual numbers are.

 

[Amadeus]

I've seen this team since the beginning be a laughing stock in the days of Johnston and Mariner to a juggernaut and a model franchise under Bazbetchenko to a laughing stock again with Ali Curtis and now Bill Manning and Bradley. It's every two duds before a stud will bring this baby back to life so there is hope.

 

[Bjindaho]

It's funny. i saw on instagram that TFC lost yet again. I still "follow them" despite not actually following them anymore. Based on the results and the comments the team looks like they're in shambles.

But it got me thinking... How much has the move to apple tv hurt MLS and Toronto FC? Surely fan numbers and viewership is down this year. It HAS to be. I am a big soccer/football fan. It's my favorite sport.... i have been a fan of TFC since year 1 and if a supporter such as myself said "enough is enough" because of the apple TV switch, then i am sure plenty of others did as well. Even on this board, we used to chime in after pretty much every match, but this year it's very little.

I don't know about other MLS teams. Maybe american viewership is not affected that much, but I think it was a really ballsy move for a relatively young and unestablished league for force fans to change their viewing methods and make it more difficult for them. I can't imagine it's paying off.... but i wonder what the actual numbers are.

I have AppleTV and still haven't watched a single game (and won't). I don't watch MLS live, I record it and use my skip options religiously.

Outside of baseball (which I have no issue with simply changing the channel or walking away from), I record any sporting event I want to watch to avoid all of the analysis.

 

[ACC1224]

Is tonight’s game televised?

 

[robertmac43]

Major issues at last nights game, Montreal fans attacked in the away end where BMO had no security set up (despite telling those travelling fans otherwise).

Second issue was a megaphone thrown at MAK at the end of the game from the south end. Terrible look for the supports section....

This era is not going to plan and it's starting to show in the stands.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

When is Manning/Bradley/Bradley era over? I told you guys after all those Italian signings this team would not win with father/son combo. This was pro sport/team and it has turned into amateur hour. Given Manning set this mess up he must be one to go. Is Larry his boss?

 

[robertmac43]

Some photos form the incidents in last nights derby match.

 

[ACC1224]

Major issues at last nights game, Montreal fans attacked in the away end where BMO had no security set up (despite telling those travelling fans otherwise).

Second issue was a megaphone thrown at MAK at the end of the game from the south end. Terrible look for the supports section....

This era is not going to plan and it's starting to show in the stands.

Can't watch the games televised anymore and if it stops being a fun family environment they will run this team into the ground.
Shame.

 

[ACC1224]

Some photos form the incidents in last nights derby match.

Played hockey with Thirsty years ago now, haven't spoken to him in years.
He's right with what he's saying here.

 

[robertmac43]

When is Manning/Bradley/Bradley era over? I told you guys after all those Italian signings this team would not win with father/son combo. This was pro sport/team and it has turned into amateur hour. Given Manning set this mess up he must be one to go. Is Larry his boss?

I have been a big TFC apologist on this page. I'm at the point where it's so clear Bradley is not the guy that I can't even defend him.

Lot's of MLS coaches were fired last week, I'm surprised Bradley was not among them.

 

[theaub]

Its negligence at this point not to fire Bradley, and Manning should follow him.

Match last night was about the most toxic I've seen BMO. Don't blame anyone either.

 

[keonsbitterness]

They're not blaming anything on the Argos this time? Progress!

 

[thehockeysong]

I think the issue is more at the top than the coaching etc. They can't put anything even resembling a full roster together despite spending near limitless money. Manning doesn't know football, and it seems like giving him this much control is haunting them. Need a proper head of football asap to take over. They're basically Manchester United of 5 years ago - blank cheque failures.

 

[robertmac43]

 

[robertmac43]

I think the issue is more at the top than the coaching etc. They can't put anything even resembling a full roster together despite spending near limitless money. Manning doesn't know football, and it seems like giving him this much control is haunting them. Need a proper head of football asap to take over. They're basically Manchester United of 5 years ago - blank cheque failures.

This team has more than enough talent to get better results. Bradley has won 27% of games since taking over with the highest pay role in the league....

The top has it's issues for sure, Manning is brutal in his own right. But man the on field results should be much better than they currently are.

 

[Niagara Bill]

Anything Bradley touches is unwatchable. He is high school level at best. Just an arrogant over the hill guy from south of the border.
I will not pay to watch anything he touches.

 

[Bjindaho]

Anything Bradley touches is unwatchable. He is high school level at best. Just an arrogant over the hill guy from south of the border.
I will not pay to watch anything he touches.

At this point, I would clean house taking out Manning, Bradley and Bradley Jr.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

At this point, I would clean house taking out Manning, Bradley and Bradley Jr.

Yeah I was thinking that too .. make a clean break from all of them and start over with a proven coach with no kids on team .. da hard part will be for those of us who saw Bradley jr in his prime in 2017 .. you want ur leaders to go out properly but in this case it may unavoidable

 

[JunglePete]

If you're Bill Manning you gotta let Bobby go. It just won't work no matter how hard you try.

Insigne, an elite player worldwide seems very committed with the project, so he isn't going anywhere, unlike other superstars like Shaqiri or Rafa Marquez but you can't waste him in his prime years to create a dynasty (or continue one).

Toronto can still play next year's CL.. if they win MLS cup. Losing to Montreal in 2023 is the equivalent of losing to a cpl team and is a fireable offense. At least Vancouver seems to be doing better.

We need more world-class players like Lorenzo and Fede in MLS and especially in Canada. Can't lose them because of a clueless coach in charge

 

[robertmac43]

Bang on this: