Toronto Club News

[Morrison]

i am wondering that why the heck should canadian team would be in MLS, NBA or MLB?

[gforce99]

Let me see if I can answer your question.
Because someone in Toronto had money that someone elsewhere did not.

Got it?
It will be the same for MLS. Whoever comes up with the most plausible plan for a soccer team and has the $10 million check ready will get the team.
Be it Toronto, Rochester, Philly or Tulsa, Oklahoma.

[CanadianCelt_01]

Canadians wonder about having American cities in the National Hockey League,after all it's OUR sport. But Toronto would be a great city for MLS , Toronto has the largest soccer population in this country, any day you see jerseys of every top side in the world being worn,so the interest in the sport is great. More Canadian kids play soccer, then hockey and baseball combined,.

[Frank Cunha]

Originally posted by CanadianCelt_01
Canadians wonder about having American cities in the National Hockey League,after all it's OUR sport. But Toronto would be a great city for MLS , Toronto has the largest soccer population in this country, any day you see jerseys of every top side in the world being worn,so the interest in the sport is great. More Canadian kids play soccer, then hockey and baseball combined,.

a lot of portuguese canadians, italians and I believe Greeks

[gforce99]

Originally posted by CanadianCelt_01
Canadians wonder about having American cities in the National Hockey League,after all it's OUR sport. But Toronto would be a great city for MLS , Toronto has the largest soccer population in this country, any day you see jerseys of every top side in the world being worn,so the interest in the sport is great. More Canadian kids play soccer, then hockey and baseball combined,.

OUR Sport. pfft.
Remind me again, didn't the NHL start with American AND Canadian teams?
Too bad 80+%of the teams in the NHL are in the US.
Don't hear the Americans saying that Soccer is OUR sport.
Arrogant canuck.

[BethlehemFC]

Originally posted by gforce99
OUR Sport. pfft.
Remind me again, didn't the NHL start with American AND Canadian teams?
Too bad 80+%of the teams in the NHL are in the US.
Don't hear the Americans saying that Soccer is OUR sport.
Arrogant canuck.

Actually the NHL started in the 1917-18 season with four Canadian based teams. There wasn't an American franchise until 1924-25 season when the Boston Bruins entered. However the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (The NHL's equal at the time) had a team based in Seattle in 1920 through 1924.

The first generally recognized professional hockey league was the Western Pennsylvania Hockey League formed in 1901-02. Although that's also disputed by some. Sorry for the hockey 101. Like you guys love soccer/football -- I love hockey.

However I still found the post a bit arrogant.

[gforce99]

I admit I was wrong. Thanks for showing me the light.
But teams in the US going back 80 years, 10 years or less after NHL officially started is a pretty weak arguement for OUR SPORT.
Please.

[CanadianCelt_01]

Originally posted by gforce99
I admit I was wrong. Thanks for showing me the light.
But teams in the US going back 80 years, 10 years or less after NHL officially started is a pretty weak arguement for OUR SPORT.
Please.

The Nhl has over done the American team expansion. they only
real good American based teams are, Boston::nw:: ,Detroit,
New York, Chicago and Colorado and maybe St.Louis. then there are the disasters, Buffalo,Pittsburgh,Los Angeles,Anaheim,Minnesota,Long Island,Florida,Tampa Bay,etc.
the Nhl went to markets they shouldn't have, Just like the MLS
in Tampa Bay and Miami, but i do believe they are strong soccer
markets,they just went there to early.

[Frank Cunha]

Philadelphia would be a great expansion city for the MLS, they also a great hockey town

[CanadianCelt_01]

Originally posted by Frank Cunha
Philadelphia would be a great expansion city for the MLS, they also a great hockey town

Yes, the old NASL Fury did well for a few seasons, and Philly
would make for a good expansion city. I wouldn't place a bet
on the Flyers or and other NHL team playing for a while yet,
this thing is going to get nastier then they are right now.::upset::

[BethlehemFC]

Originally posted by CanadianCelt_01
The Nhl has over done the American team expansion. they only
real good American based teams are, Boston::nw:: ,Detroit,
New York, Chicago and Colorado and maybe St.Louis. then there are the disasters, Buffalo,Pittsburgh,Los Angeles,Anaheim,Minnesota,Long Island,Florida,Tampa Bay,etc.
the Nhl went to markets they shouldn't have, Just like the MLS
in Tampa Bay and Miami, but i do believe they are strong soccer
markets,they just went there to early.

As a Buffalo fan can you explain why you list the Sabres as a disaster? They have made two Stanley Cup appearances and had one of the greatest Canadian born players (Gilbert Perreault) play there --throw in Rick Martin and Rene' Robert along with Tom Barrasso and Phil Housley. They also have an incredibly loyal fan base and have always supported the team well.

Ownership problems are not indicitive of market viability IMO.

And you're absolutely right -- there's been way too much expansion in the NHL. However Canada could not really handle any more teams at present either. There are too many teams no matter where they are located.

[CanadianCelt_01]

Originally posted by BethlehemFC
As a Buffalo fan can you explain why you list the Sabres as a disaster? They have made two Stanley Cup appearances and had one of the greatest Canadian born players (Gilbert Perreault) play there --throw in Rick Martin and Rene' Robert along with Tom Barrasso and Phil Housley. They also have an incredibly loyal fan base and have always supported the team well.

Ownership problems are not indicitive of market viability IMO.

And you're absolutely right -- there's been way too much expansion in the NHL. However Canada could not really handle any more teams at present either. There are too many teams no matter where they are located.

The Sabres if I remember don't always sell out even for big games anymore. Their fans have be good no question ( as a bruin fan that scares me to say that) but serious, Buffalo came close a couple of times the past few seasons to losing the team,as well as the Bills. If the ownership doesn't improve then the sabres days may be near an end, but lets hope not. when is Buffalo going to get into soccer? The would make a great rivalry
with Rochester and Toronto if they get into MLS, just like the Leafs and sabres and the Rock and the Bandits in the NLL.

[gforce99]

Anyways, MLS Commish Garber said this yesterday:

The league will expand again in 2007, when Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is expected to launch a team in Toronto at a stadium being built on the York University campus.

Garber described Toronto as "a leading contender" to become the first non-U.S. club in MLS and, virtually confirming that move as a done deal, said, "The 14th team will come from either Houston, San Antonio, Seattle or Cleveland."

[CanadianCelt_01]

Originally posted by gforce99
Anyways, MLS Commish Garber said this yesterday:

The league will expand again in 2007, when Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is expected to launch a team in Toronto at a stadium being built on the York University campus.

Garber described Toronto as "a leading contender" to become the first non-U.S. club in MLS and, virtually confirming that move as a done deal, said, "The 14th team will come from either Houston, San Antonio, Seattle or Cleveland."

Houston has a good soccer history with the Hurricanes in the old NASL and Seatlle as well with the Sounders (currently in ther A-league). How is San Antonio or Cleveland for soccer, their history is not quite known to me? Good news to hear about Toronto..... :up:

[revolutionfan]

Originally posted by gforce99
Anyways, MLS Commish Garber said this yesterday:

Garber described Toronto as "a leading contender" to become the first non-U.S. club in MLS and, virtually confirming that move as a done deal, said, "The 14th team will come from either Houston, San Antonio, Seattle or Cleveland."

No Rochester?