In the infamous words of Whitesnake, Here We Go Again.
Toronto FC is planning a friendly. Well, "Toronto FC is planning a friendly?" according to the official Website. Because, lord knows, the official Toronto FC website needs that question mark.
This shouldn't be a shock to anyone paying attention to either MLSE or new top dog Tim Leiweke. What was surprising is that MLSE took a year off the friendly fix in 2011, not that they are back at it now.
Leiweke is a full on addict in this regard. Just wait until TFC had a player to barnstorm with (see: Beckham, David -- with LA Galaxy for examples).
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Is it a "money grab?" Of course it is. MLSE isn't a charity. Everything it does is with an eye to making money. Taken alone, that shouldn't necessarily be an issue. Taken in the context of what TFC has been since 2007...well, it should be a bit much for fans
The early reaction to the trial balloon has been predictable. Those engaged with the Reds enough to even be aware of the news don't like friendlies. The hashtag #TrophiesNotFriendlies has made a comeback. Presumably because #LobotomiesRatherThanEnduringYetAnotherLateGameCollapse is too long.
Anyway. This is probably happening. The harsh truth is that those pushing the no-friendlies-ever approach aren't the target audience of these type of initiatives. The empty seats in the middle of BMO Field and those that don't fill them are. That's especially the case when those absent are usually found at Scallywags and The Football Factory watching their favourite Euro teams.
So this is probably happening and it will sell better than anyone in the supporter's community wants to admit.
Especially since it's probably going to be Juventus.