The short answer is not much. It was a terrible season with very few positive moments, but it’s disingenuous to suggest that there were no high points. Not many, sure, but some.
So, before we spend the rest of the week wallowing in the crud that was TFC 2012, let’s take a few minutes to remember a few positives.
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The continued growth of the academy
The Academy opened its $20-million academy this year and, if you believe in a youth development philosophy (and believe that TFC believes in an youth development vision), then you have to take that as the single best thing to happen at TFC this year
The teams had a decent run too, both against other MLS academies and in the Canadian Soccer League. The senior team finished in a solid playoff position and remained competitive even after many of their key players left for their NCAA season. The junior academy only lost one game all year. It came in the playoffs, with many of the players that helped the club to an undefeated season unavailable.
The strength of the academy is not measured in wins and losses, however. It’s about producing first team players.
And, there the jury is still out with one exception...
Ashtone Morgan
Morgan continued to solidify his position as a starting fullback for the Reds and has now advanced to a point where few look at him as an “academy graduate” anymore. He’s just a player and one the best examples of the benefit of MLS academies.
The first game of the year
It seems surreal now to think that TFC played the Galaxy at Rogers Centre this season – the mess the year ended in feels disconnected from that start. So, it’s worthwhile to remember how excited the crowd was and how relevant TFC felt that day.
Hopefully, it won’t be remembered as the club’s last great moment.
The brawl at BMO
If the highlight of the season for less involved fans was the Galaxy game at the Dome, the hardcore’s peak came two weeks later in the most spirited game likely ever played at BMO. TFC and Santos’ 1-1 draw was as exciting a sporting contest that has been played in this city in years. It was hard-fought, edgy and the crowd that was there was as intense as any crowd to ever watch the Reds.
The team showed up too. Santos is arguably the best club team in North America over the last 5-years. Yet, on that night TFC likely deserved a better result.
The brawl at the end was awfully cathartic as well...
Luis Silva
Not since Stefan Frei showed up has a draft pick excited Toronto fans as much as Silva. Some may argue that he’s the only worthwhile piece from this season – that’s a tad harsh – but he is certainly a player that looks like he’s going to have a long MLS career.
It’s imperative that, for once, Toronto makes sure that career is here.
Tomorrow: What Went Wrong