Well, that was something.
In this season of crap, a comprehensive road victory over a big rival was not something many would have predicted. But, here we are. Toronto FC destroyed, hammered, embarrassed and generally had their way with the Impact and their fancy new DP.
They are still on pace for less than twenty points on the year, but for one night Reds’ fans can give a little smack to their rivals. There will be plenty of time for the rivals to hit back. This is still a team with serious holes.
But, the win felt good, no?
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
That feeling --- what do they call it again, oh yeah, happy – has been in short supply in recent years and it’s why those of us that deeply care about this game and, against our better judgement, this club endeavour to find the 1/10th full part of the glass.
In the club’s second year supporter’s held up a banner that read “We Deserve Better.” They were widely mocked. In Columbus, the term was co-opted to “We Deserve Butter.” We’ve been eating dry toast in Toronto ever since and no one would mock Reds’ fans if they dusted off the banner today.
We do deserve better. And butter. Although a grumpy bunch, TFC fans are, by and large, irrationally loyal. The level of bitterness towards management is a reflection of just how badly we want to see a winning team. It doesn’t even need to be a championship team. Mediocre would be fine for now. Just not incomprehensibly bad.
Which is what TFC has been this year. This has been an outlier type of season. It’s nearly statistically impossible.
In this space I’ve often lectured/compelled fans to take a long view and to be thoughtful in how they critique the club. I will continue to do that at times moving forward. Not today though. Today, as we’re all in a fairly good mood, I’m going to appeal to your inner kid – the one that makes you care about 11 men in short pants chasing a ball in the first place – and remember why you put yourself through this.
You do it for moments like last night.
It would be a shame if you walked away now before the butter finally came.