Toronto embraces MLS franchise with open arms

He also became the first opposing player showered with beer by Toronto FC supporters. The gesture, though frowned upon, demonstrated how in its first season, the Canadian franchise is already being embraced like it’s been around for decades.

“It’s a very fine line between overt passion for your local club and then fan misbehavior — that’s a great challenge for us to have, by the way, but that will be a challenge for us,” said Toronto FC director of business operations Paul Bierne. “I think there was a lot of grinning when that happened, but I think a lot of people deep down went, ‘Ooh, maybe we just stepped over the line.’”

From the moment Toronto FC came into existence — the Toronto Blizzard of the North American Soccer League folded 23 years ago — fans have welcomed big-time pro soccer’s return.

“I think it was largely organic,” said Bierne. “When we announced that we were going to have a team, within three or four months, there were seven supporters groups that I had heard of.”

In March season-ticket sales were cut off at 14,000 — nearly double the team’s original goal. Toronto had a packed house of 20,148 for its home opener and sellouts are expected for most games.

“That’s the biggest crowd I’ve ever played in front of,” said Toronto rookie Maurice Edu, the team’s first draft pick. “I thought the fans really did a great job of supporting us and getting into the game. You could hear chants and different shouts throughout the whole game, from warm-ups to the final whistle.”

Toronto FC’s fans reflect the city’s cultural diversity and give the games an international feel.

“I don’t think they’re as adamant about soccer [in the U.S.] as the fans are here,” said Edu.”

All that’s left is results. Toronto has three home games in the next two weeks, including a visit from D.C. United on May 19, to get its first goal and first victory.

“We just have to plow through those two milestones,” said Bierne. “Then I think a sense of normalcy will begin to set in.”