(This article originally appeared at Some Canadian Guys Writing About Soccer on October 26, 2009. Wondering what this is? Click here.)
Two days after their team suffered a momentous 5-0 defeat to New York in the MLS season’s final week, the main supporters groups of Toronto FC have received at least a little bit of consolation — a supportive letter sent by their counterparts in Vancouver and Montreal.
“First of all, let us say that we’re all sharing in your dismay about this terrible turn of events,” starts the letter, co-authored by members of the Southsiders and UM02, the supporters groups of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact, respectively.
“As Toronto FC is Canada’s team, we’re all united today in grieving about the cataclysmic outcome on Saturday, that none of us from coast-to-coast could have predicted or hoped for.”
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The letter, sent via email to higher-ups within the Red Patch Boys, U-Sector and North End Elite, continues: “Even as we cheered on our respective teams as they played an exciting two-legged final to crown this year’s USL champions, our thoughts and prayers were with you, knowing as we did that Toronto FC’s ability to scrape into the MLS playoffs was the one and only determinant of soccer’s long-term success in this country.
“For us in UM02, even our victory celebration was marred by our unwavering sense of dread about the horrible possibility that Toronto FC might miss the playoffs for the third straight year. For us Southsiders, last year’s championship celebration was similarly tarnished by such worrisome thoughts.
“You can rest assured that we have not felt this low since Toronto was unable to advance beyond the qualifying round of this year’s CONCACAF Champions League. This was especially hurtful after the communal delight we felt following the Canadian Championship, knowing that only Toronto FC could adequately represent the hopes and dreams of the Canadian soccer population on a larger stage.
“Let us conclude by saying that we look forward to enjoying your hospitality during next year’s Canadian Championships, and in years to come once our respective franchises join you in MLS. Specifically, we look forward to visiting your beautiful city, which is cleaner and safer than either of ours, with more interesting nightlife options and more beautiful women.
“Sincerely,
Your Friends in the Southsiders and UM02″