Well this pretty much sums up their MLS existence.

Things started off well for Toronto FC in 2010, but they have since fallen apart to the point where goalies are scoring game-winning goals against them in stoppage time, which was exactly what Columbus Crew keeper William Hesmer did on Saturday.  Perhaps the only thing more embarrassing than this is enduring a fourth straight season without a playoff appearance.  However, in their defense, it appears as though by missing the playoffs they are simply adapting to the norm for Toronto-based sports teams.

Hat Tip – [Deadspin]

Fans within the Toronto sports scene have shown a great deal of creativity at times when it comes to their crowd signs, but this sign is just weird.  Have times become so desperate for Toronto FC that they have to turn to Yoda in order to light a fire under their team’s ass?

Who knows?  Maybe team captain Dwayne De Rosario is a die-hard Star Wars fan.  After all, he did step his game up and burry two goals, helping TFC record their first win of the season.  The home side struggled to get by the expansion Philadelphia Union, who were down to ten men after Danny Califf was sent of at the 34th minute for a rather violent foul.  De Rosario would score on the ensuing free kick, and would add a penalty shot goal in the 81st minute to seal the victory.

When it was all said and done, “The Force,” along with some help from the refs, was just what TFC needed to get themselves in the win column.

Hat Tip – [Dirty Tackle]

Living in Canada’s most populated city, we have come to witness the downfall that is Toronto’s professional sports teams.  It is where stars have come to lay their careers to rest, where winners have come to experience the bitter taste of defeat, and where every athlete who enters seemingly can’t wait to leave.  It seems like there is only one way to describe such a city, and this poster says it all. “Welcome To Loserville.”

The MLB’s Blue Jays have failed to make the playoffs since winning the World Series back in 1993.  The NBA’s Raptors have made the playoffs only two of the past seven seasons and have won only one playoff series since joining the league in 1995.  The MLS’s Toronto FC has not made the post-season in their three years of existence.  And the CFL’s Argos have been terrible, failing to make the playoffs the past two seasons, winning only one championship over the past 12 years (not that impressive when you consider the league has just 8 teams).

As for the city’s pride and joy, or as many prefer to call them, “God’s Team”, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been anything but sacred.  In fact, they could use the help of God, and perhaps some other biblical figures as well, to fill the many holes in their lineup.  Leaf fans have failed to see a playoff game since 2004, and have not celebrated a Stanley Cup victory since 1967.  That means many fans today have not experienced this franchise win a single championship, and the last time they did there was only six teams in the league.

Yes, when you are looking at the ineptitude that is Toronto’s sports teams, you need not look any further than the Toronto Maple Leafs, but don’t be fooled.  The Raptors, Jays, FC and Argos have not been much better.  Perhaps the Argos and Jays have provided us with championships that could be seen on colored televisions, but what have they done for us lately?

Besides creating a new legacy for the city we may now refer to as “Loserville”, the answer is an obvious one.  Not much at all!

Welcome to Loserville -[TorontoSun]

During the game, a 1-0 victory for the home side, two fans threw a couple of flares onto the field.  One successfully landed there.  The other fell on a woman’s lap, burning through her pants and causing a burn on her thigh.  The two males responsible for the incident were caught and TSN.ca stated the following:

“Toronto police said two flares were thrown from the stands at BMO Field at the Major League Soccer game. One landed on a woman’s thigh, burning through her pants and causing a burn to her thigh. The other landed on the artificial turf, causing approximately $2,000 damage.”

Toronto is known for its lively and sometimes over the top fans, but is this too far?  The sellout crowd of 19, 915 was happy to go home to a victory, but for the two youngsters caught in this act (Andjelo Franjic, 18, of Stoney Creek, Ontario and a 17-year-old, also of Stoney Creek, whose name cannot be released), they will now be charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm and mischief under $5,000.  That’s one costly game for them.

There are various reports of both Toronto and Columbus fans acting stupid, which is always expected at sporting events. However, during this near-riot a Toronto fan being tasered by the Columbus P. D., for no apparent reason.  The fan was detained and held on the floor by numerous officers and instead of simply being arrested, he was tasered.

The mutual frustration of a draw turned physical after the game. Unruly fans, including some from a contingent of an estimated 1,500 Toronto supporters, confronted one another and the police in parking lots to the south and east of the stadium. Multiple arrests were made and mace or pepper spray was used to break up at least one melee.

At least twenty Columbus police cruisers and a heli-copter were still patrolling the lots 45 minutes after the game. Columbus police said that some fans were ejected from the stadium and there were at least three arrests.

A security guard said that Toronto fans ripped a stadium railing from its bearings. Multiple rows of bleachers in the Toronto section were twisted and bent. Toronto fans also unfurled multiple vulgar banners that were removed by security. [TheColumbusDispatch]

After watching the video I can’t understand why the cops would taser this guy?  He must have done something to be tackled by so many officers, but at that point there was no need to tase him.

Well, nobody ever said you have to be smart to be a cop and these guys prove it.  Keep up the good work Columbus Police Department.

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Ljungberg is 31 years old, stands at 5′ 9″ tall, and weighs 162lbs. Although small in stature, Ljungberg plans to do big things for Seattle and for the MLS. Many people thought the flashy midfielder could have continued to play in Europe for another 3-4 years, Ljungberg felt this was the right time to make the move.

“I figured if I’m going to take MLS seriously and want to make it a really good league and develop it, I should come now and not in three years’ time,” Ljungberg said.

Llungberg, a former Calvin Klein underwear model, was impressed that Sounders FC have already sold 17,000-plus season tickets and expects an electric atmosphere at the start of the season.

Ljungberg spent nine seasons at Arsenal, and was voted the 2002 Barclay’s Premier League Player of the Year and was voted as one of Arsenal’s top 50 players in history.  In summer 2007 he was transferred to West Ham and was only able to muster 2 goals for the club, and was later released after suffering a rib injury.

Ljunberg has also represented Sweden in several World and European cups, and was twice voted as Sweden’s top footballer of the year. After seven months out of action, Ljungberg is hoping that a move to MLS will help him jumpstart his career and rebuild reputation.

Many critics have said that Ljunberg’s best days are over, and this is just another “has-been” signing by the MLS. Although many facts may indicate this to potentially be true, I believe that this signing may not raise the MLS to tops in the world, but it certainly will not hurt the league. This is just an indication that the league continues to attract proven talent from Europe, and is an indication that owners are willing to spend big dollars; which should excite any MLS fan.

Now the question that all North American soccer fans are asking is: who is next? Toronto FC have already promised their fans that they will sign a “designated player” before next season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs or shall we call them the “Maple Laughs” stink, the Argos don’t even exist, the Jays do what they do best finishing every year 5 games over .500, and the Toronto FC………. are the FC.  Have no fear the Toronto Raptors may be here!  That’s right the Toronto Raptors, coming off a nice season last year loosing in the first round of the playoffs to the Orlando Magic.  With the recent addition of Jermaine O’Neal “If he can stay healthy”, and the leadership of Mr. Colangelo.  The future, we hope looks bright for the Raptors.

On Thursday night of the NHL opening games the Toronto Maple Leafs pulled one out of their hats against the Detroit Red Wings.  On Saturday at there home opener at the ACC, they came back down to earth with a 6-1 thumping at the hands of the big rivals, Montreal Canadiens.  The Leafs are beginning to look like we all had thought, horrible!!!!!!  They are rebuilding, so we all have to give them a chance.

The Toronto Blue Jays just finished a disappointing season, finishing 4thin the AL East and with the New York Yankees having a reported $88 Million dollars coming off the books and a new stadium bringingin an additional $400 million dollars in revenue.  It will be hard pressed for the Jays to move up and try to spend with the big dogs in the MLB.  Heck, even the Argos are horrible, bringing in Don Matthews, coach of the Argos for 2 Grey Cup wins in the late 90’s, can’t even help this team, he’s 0-5 since taking over for Rich Stubler. 

The Toronto FC are going to miss the playoffs in their second year of existence, hardly surprising, considering they are an expansion team, but after a strong start, more was expected.  That leaves us with one team to have some success this season: The Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors in my opinion are fielding their best TEAM ever.  Now I highlight the word team because I am sure many of you will be thinking, when Vince was here we had our best team. Or last year when we had all 12 players come off the bench and contribute, that’s including Derrick Martin, unsung coach of the Raptors who became the biggest ball hog in the history of Sports.  I mean here’s a guy who honestly believed that once he sunk a basket he was the second coming of Michael Jordan, “but well keep this D-Mart rant for another blog entry”. 

Sure this franchise has had Tracy McGradyand Vince Carter in the same lineup, the only problem was that T-Mac wasn’t the same player he was then as he is now.  The reason this is the best Team the Raptors will ever have on the floor, is because with a nice mix of European players and and 2 legit Big men “The New Twin Towers”, opposing teams will have fits trying to defend this lineup on the court.

NBA champions of the last ten years, who has a legit big man down the middle:

2008 Boston Celtics– Kevin Garnett
2007 San Antonio Spurs – Tim Duncan
2006 Miami Heat– Shaquille O’Neal
2005 San Antonio Spurs – Tim Duncan
2004 Detroit Pistons– Ben Wallace (Over big man O’Neal for the Lakers)
2003 San Antonio Spurs – Tim Duncan and David Robinson
2002, 2001, 2000 Los Angeles Lakers– Shaquille O’Neal
1999 San Antonio Spurs – Tim Duncan and David Robinson

Not since the 1998 Chicago Bulls has a team won without having a solid big man down the middle.  Sure each of these teams had other pieces.  Miami had D-Wade, The Lakers had Kobe, the Spurs had Parker but the centerpiece was their big man, and much of what the guards were able to do is because of the presence and double teams their big men demanded. 

The Raps have potentially the best big men combination since the twin towers of David Robinson and Tim Duncan.  Now Jo’Neal and CB4 aren’t as talented as them, but they form a pretty formidable front court.  If the Raptors can get O’Neal to play 65 games this year, which I think they will considering he’s two years away from free agency.  You know he wants one more big contract before he’s done!  Along with keeping Chris Bosh healthy, look for this team to finish in the top 4 in the Eastern conference.

When I compare the Raptors to other teams in the East, no team but the Celtics truly scares me.  King James and the Cavs could be a contender, but the new look Raptors should match up with them well.  The Magic and Dwight Howard, if you remember absolutely demolished the Raps last year in the playoffs. Howard in the 5 game series had 3 games of 20 points/20 rebounds plus, he had almost 4 blocks a game, basically he did whatever he wanted. That hopefully won’t happen this year, with two big men down low.

The two headed monster, will also draw considerable double teams, freeing up Jason Kapono and Anthony Parker for open looks from long range. To top it all off we have arguably the best pure Point Guard in the Eastern Conference in Jose Calderon, who is El Capitan at the point now that troublesome T.J Ford has been moved. Our bench players will know their role, and should help eat up some minutes when the starters are tired.  “El Mago” Andrea Bargnani Regressed last year, but has added some bulk and will have less pressure on him this year now that O’Neal will be starting.  New addition, Willie Solomon has proved this pre-season that he can score, the only problem he has is he’s turnover prone, he will be pushed by Roko Ukic for the back up position behind Calderon. Rounding out the bench is Kris Humphries and Joey Graham. Humphrieshas been receiving rave reviews for his energy in the preseason. Granted it is the preseason, but he’s asked to be a hustler not a go to guy this season. Look for him to provide solid minutes behind Bosh and O’Neal. With Graham, who knows who were going to get on any given night. All we can hope for is that his flashes of brilliance and promise outweigh his lapses in judgement and poor play.

This is a squad that can seriously challenge for a spot in the final. They are definitely talented enough to get into the second round of the playoffs and anything can happen after that. If they stay healthy this could be a scary team, one that could have this city as excited about basketball as it was when Vince was in his heyday