Avram at Some guys took on the quintessential football question the other day – club versus country. Although it’s a debate that has raged for generations it’s not something that the hardcore Canadian fan has really had to deal with up to now. We were too busy dreaming of having club teams to cheer for, or hoping that we wouldn’t lose the ones we had, to really get into it.
But that seems to be changing. The two USL teams are as successful as they have been at any time (with Vancouver still very much in the MLS expansion race) and TFC’s popularity has been nothing short of miraculous (long time fans still stand back and shake their head in wonder from time to time – where the hell did the Red Patch Boys come from anyway?).
A couple things have brought this debate to the forefront now. First is the status of O’Brian White, who is a domestic for TFC, but represents Jamaica internationally. That’s because he’s Jamaican, having lived there for most of his life before moving to Toronto for a couple years in high school. Some Voyageur types are getting their knickers in a knot over people referring to White as “Canadian,” even though it’s the simplest way to describe his potential status to Toronto in MLS. To these fans it’s an affront on their sensitivities to hear White referred to as a Canuck – and it likely reaffirms some of their worst fears about Toronto as a developer of Canadian talent.
Meanwhile many newer TFC fans couldn’t give a rat’s tush where White plays internationally. They just want to see TFC land the best prospects, regardless of where they come from (putting aside the fact that what makes White most useful to TFC is his status as a domestic). Although it isn’t the traditional club/country debate it does touch on many of the emotions inherent in it...with a unique Canuck spin.
Also triggering the debate is the Montreal Impact’s CONCACAF Champions League run. Flashback pre-TFC and it wouldn’t really be a question that most Canadian soccer fans would be cheering for the Impact in February. However, it’s not so simple anymore. Battles have taken place on the pitch and off that make it difficult for Toronto supporters to yell rah-rah-rah for the Impact. Logically the Red can understand that it would be good for the sport in this country if Montreal was to win another couple games. Logic and football don’t often mix.
Last September I was unable to attend the Canada – Honduras game in Montreal. Although disappointed, I knew that it would allow me to take in the TFC game that day in Toronto. Standing in BMO that day I can’t say that I felt any less of a Canadian soccer fan. And it didn’t upset me that there were more Canadians tuned into that game than would be for the nats later that day. Actually, it reassured me a little – maybe we’re growing up a little as a football nation (something that will be necessary before we really see big support for the national team).
There was a time when I scoffed at those that said club over country. Although I’d still give up Toronto success to see Canada make the World Cup it’s no longer as clear a choice. I get club over country now. And I respect it.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
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3 comments:
What exactly would you say the nature of the rivalry between Toronto and Montreal is? They don't play in the same league, Montreal has more history but smaller support and though geographically close to one another, they exist in vastly different metropolises.
I don't see any problem supporting both teams, even when they play one another. Unless you're a hard-core Red Patch Boy or U-Sector member or North End Elite member or BMO Brigade member, then you should be able to comfortably support any Canadian team in any competition if all you're interested in in seeing a good match.
But you're right in saying logic and football don't mix, especially on Canadian soccer messageboards.
I wrote about the joys of watching football as a neutral a while back. Take a read.
What exactly would you say the nature of the rivalry between Toronto and Montreal is?
I'd say that it has little to do with the Impact and TFC. But, that doesn't make it any less real to those that feel it. And there are increasingly more and more people that do.
I understand what your post is saying about watching games as a neutral. It's, for the most part, how I watch the NHL. Being Canadian, it's also how I watch the World Cup and EUROS.
But, I also very much appreciate what it's like to feel the game. Logically, you understand that you're not really a part of it, but when you stand there on the day the emotional reactions you have re every bit legitimate and, to me, worthwhile -- addictive even.
I can honestly say that I've never been as affected by the outcome of a sporting event as I was at the end of the last TFC - Impact game. It was raw. Everything about that day was.
Which is why I can wish Montreal well, but I can't really cheer for them in ay real way. I'm going to try and work the game on a pass, but if that doesn't work out I will likely just PVR it and watch dispassionately the next day so I can comment here.
The scenario where club and country play on the same day is an unrealistic one for 98% of the leagues in the world.
Can you imagine a Maple Leafs game on the same day as a Canada game in the Olympics? People would freak.
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