At BarDown, we're pro-bandwagon fans. There's no reason that anybody that is a fan of any team should turn away new people when the team starts to do well. They're what help pack the stadium for big games and create a buzz around the city. It's a lot to put yourself out there for something totally new and those are the people we're trying to help.
Follow this set of rules and you'll be much less likely to stand out as a new fan while cheering on TFC against the Seattle Sounders on Dec. 10.
Learn at least two players other than Giovinco, Bradley and Altidore
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The first thing every doubter will ask you when they're trying to identify whether or not you're a true fan of any team is a set of players on the team. They'll give you zero credit for knowing Giovinco (He was the league MVP), and still won't give you full marks for long-time American National team member Michael Bradley or playoff superstar Jozy Altidore.
You can learn the names of any players you want, but we have some recommendations. Knowing the Canadians is always a good start.
Tosaint Ricketts and Jonathan Osorio are two Canadians on the squad who can make an impact on every game. If you watched Wednesday night's game, you may know Ricketts (Born in Edmonton) from his game-icing goal in extra time. Osorio is someone you may have heard over his many years with TFC. He was born in Toronto, has played for TFC since 2013 and has made the most appearances in club history. He is also the team's first truly homegrown talent.
Get a TFC Scarf
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You should always have one piece of the team's memorabilia and a scarf is a low-cost item that is very popular among TFC and soccer fans everywhere. Hold that thing over your head while cheering for the team and any TFC fans in the area will roar in approval. Fans often do that at the end of the game.
Know Where to Watch
Of course, not everyone can attend the games. The tickets are currently going for a minimum of $463 US on Stub Hub, which is much higher than a standard game price. This means a lot of loyal fans will flock to the standard TFC establishments around the city. The most popular in Toronto is the Shoeless Joes on near King and Dufferin, but it fills up quickly and there are several other options listed here.
Know the Red Patch Boys
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The most prominent of the TFC supporter groups, the Red Patch Boys were formed shortly after the team's conception. They are a large part of the group that fills sections 112 through 118. They'll never sit down during the game, and can often be found jumping, chanting or holding a tifo.
The Shoeless Joes we mentioned in the blurb above is their unofficial home, in case you wanted to find the passionate crowd outside the stadium.
Quick Playoff History
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This is it, basically. Last year they lost in the first round and scored no goals (Against Montreal). We don't talk about the 8 years before that.
Know The "Bloody Big Step"
Although it seemed unsuccessful at the time, the acquisition of Jermain Defoe was the first step in a big change for TFC. There was a lot of buzz around the team when Defoe signed, in part due to the “Bloody Big Deal” advertisement above, but Defoe came as advertised while he was on the field.
He only made 19 appearances in his first and only season with the Reds, but he scored 11 goals in that time. After a good deal of controversy surrounding whether or not he wanted to leave TFC, he was swapped for Altidore and TFC acquired another big star for 2015: Sebastian Giovinco.
Defoe's original acquisition was the club's first major play for a player on the international scene.
It wasn't as successful as they'd hoped, but it helped reach the point they're at today. To reach this point they made some mistakes, but now seem like a healthier group and seem to really buy into their slogan “All for One”, which they focused on more in the subsequent year's advertising for the season (With a slight shot at Defoe and themselves included).
The March to BMO Field from Liberty Village
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Supporter groups and fans have a tradition where they march from Liberty Village to BMO field which goes through Exhibition Go Station. There are lots of chants, flares, tifos and more. There is more authentic way to start your game than in the march to the stadium.
The Toronto Flag
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The Toronto flag is feature prominently in TFC's kit. Not only is the captain's armband (Worn by Michael Bradley) the Toronto Flag, but the team's white away jersey is inspired by it as well.
With the addition of Vancouver and Montreal MLS teams, TFC decided to go away from the “Canada's Team” mentality and shifted towards Toronto. When speaking to the Toronto Sun, MLSE's head of brand marketing, David Freeman said this about the new jersey “It's the City of Toronto flag, too. Blue makes a lot of sense here”.
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There you have it folks. That's all you need to know to be a true TFC fan. You came in a bandwagon fan and you left an expert. Spread the knowledge to your fellow new TFC supporters and don't forget to show them the same support next season.
