So MLSE has finally announced the name and logo of Canada's first professional soccer franchise in the 21st century: Toronto FC (Football Club). They'll play in the MLS, the US-based league that has helped America become a real contender in world football - currently ranked fourth in the world by FIFA.
Given their recent management of the Leafs and Raptors, combined with the handful of pro teams that have failed in TO, I'm not overly confident that this team will catch on immediately - but I do have hope that the MLS will improve to the point where I would go to games to see players on visiting teams. David Beckham has said numerous times that he'll finish his career with the LA Galaxy, and Brazilian superstar Ronaldo has also talked about hangin' em up in US and A. A lot of people don't know that legends like Pele and George Best played in NYC in the 1970s - and regularly sold out Giants Stadium. Combined with Toronto hosting the FIFA Youth World Cup next summer, there should be some considerable buzz around soccer in Canada for the first time since...ever.
The best part (or worst depending on if you want instant results) is that Toronto must have at least 16 Canadians on their their 28-man roster. Maybe we'll have half a chance of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup - something we haven't done since the country last had a pro soccer team.
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