[samne]

Checked out the new BMO Field this weekend at the Exhibition grounds. Im really excited about the new stadium and of course the team. More than any condo projects in the city that I'll never live in anyways. The stadium's scheduled for completion for the spring '07, in time for the inaugural season.

The stadium is very simple in design. It's basically exposed steel beams with a plain brick facade. The brick doesnt create a so much a retro feel as many other new stadiums have attempted over the past decade. Rather, simply creates a warmer and kinda established feel that fits in with century-plus old architecture of the Exhibition grounds. Considering all the debate about location, in retrospect, I couldnt imagine it anywhere else.

North East

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/thetoucansam/Danforthcalvalcade006.jpg?t=1163968451


West side

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/thetoucansam/torontofc003.jpg?t=1163966200

South West gate

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/thetoucansam/torontofc004.jpg?t=1163966256

South East gate

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/thetoucansam/torontofc007.jpg?t=1163966311

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/thetoucansam/torontofc006.jpg?t=1163966379

East facade

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/thetoucansam/torontofc005.jpg?t=1163966417

next door

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/thetoucansam/torontofc001.jpg?t=1163966480

not even 100 m to the GO, TTC Street car and crumbling Gardiner Expressway.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/thetoucansam/torontofc002.jpg?t=1163966562

Project renderings from Toronto FC

looking from the north

http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/t280/imgs/stadium/2006/north_rendering.jpg

from the S/E

http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/t280/imgs/stadium/2006/south_rendering.jpg

[the dude]

it looks great. excellent location, too. what's the budget?

[samne]

60 million dollars. I guess thats relatively cheap. The most impressive part is the quick construction that started in spring '06.

[the dude]

ya, i can't believe how quickly it's risen from the dirt. what's the funding breakdown? how much has the city contributed? how much has MLSE contributed? soccer canada or the province spending any money on this? just curious.

[keninhalifax]

Looking good! I'm sure it will look better in a summertime situation.

[skrish]

There are constant stadium updates on both these sites:

http://www.toronto-fc.com/
http://s15.invisionfree.com/U_Sector/index.php?

[zerokarma]

Went by there earlier this month during the Royal Winter Fair, was actually suprised how much of it was already completed.

[skrish]

Thought you guys might enjoy these pictures. They are not mine by the way.

http://static.flickr.com/107/301119224_43a2bb1c28.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/112/310454829_c6d53e6f81.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/mike24k/IMG_3115.jpg

The money shot

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/mike24k/mystery_photo.jpg

[skrish]

I got this off of the Big Soccer forums. Don't know who Duke is, but he got a great shot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/stealth_duke/BMOfieldDec4.jpg

[skrish]

Another aerial photo

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/256/1622rpbvt4.jpg

[habsfan]

nice stadium. Great location as well!

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

Nice update!

[waterloowarrior]

t.o. is looking great in that photo!

[hollywoodnorth]

great update! thanks so very much guys!

[ldoto]

looking good!:cheers:

[towerguy3]

Howdy from Vancouver! Got a couple of questions about your beautiful new Stadium...

1. What will be the seating capacity?

2. Was Varsity Stadium torn down and where was Varsity Stadium located?

[skrish]

The stadium capacity will be 20,000. In regards to Varsity Stadium, I'm pretty sure it was torn down a few years ago.

[samne]

2. Was Varsity Stadium torn down and where was Varsity Stadium located?

If you are talking about Varsity Stadium at the U of Toronto, it was knocked down(except for the brick facade on Bloor) and rebuilt.

http://www.varsitycentre.ca/pics/Varsity_Centre_dec_7_2006T.jpg


If you are talking about the old Exhibition Stadium(mistake by the lake) at the CNE where the Jays and Argos played, then it was knocked down a decade ago.

It was on the lot directly right to the new Soccer Stadium.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/256/1622rpbvt4.jpg

[caltrane74]

Those pictures are sweet.

I always like the view at Varsity Stadium. - nice view into Yorkville. luv it.

[skrish]

Here's a video of BMO feild courtesy of toronto_red_devils from the U Sector and Red Patch Boys boards.

http://www.hi5.com/friend/video/displayViewVideo.do?videoId=1579432&ownerId=82541341

[circle33]

The site from 1998 or 1999 (can't remember). Taken with a B&W disposable.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/circle33/TO1998/Exhibition.jpg

[mackeast]

thats sexy. they views of the city from the stands look fantastic! Id love to have tickets up in the nosebleeds! cant wait to go see mr. beckham play!

[habsfan]

looks like a nice stadium! What's the capacity? ABout 25,000?

[towerguy3]

Are there going to be stands on all 4 sides or is there one open end zone?

[skrish]

Here are some new pics from the U-Sector and Red Patch Boys forums (not mine):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/429841765_a262289ec1.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/429834386_cff3d57c8f.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/425484548_76b05f995b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/mike24k/IMG_3184.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/mike24k/IMG_3193.jpg

[JBinCalgary]

looking good

[samne]

Toronto FC's jersey's with new BMO logo.

http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/images/2007/03/23/rofQkbJH.jpg

http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/images/2007/03/23/lTypoaER.jpg

BTW, all 14,000 season tickets are sold out.

[skrish]

I think the grey jersey looks better. Hopefully I can pick one up here in Calgary.

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9859/431447373e414b80314dy2.jpg

[the dude]

cool. only 14,000 seats, though? seems a little small.

[skrish]

cool. only 14,000 seats, though? seems a little small.

Capacity is 20,000, but they only wanted to sell 14,000 season tickets and have the remaining seats be for game packs and walk ups.

[DrJoe]

I find it ironic that Toronto FC has BMO (Bank of MONTREAL) on the front of their jersey.

Not that I have a problem with it, just a little quirky.

[shappy]

and TD will sponsor Montreal's future MLS team...

[Taller Better]

I find it ironic that Toronto FC has BMO (Bank of MONTREAL) on the front of their jersey.

Not that I have a problem with it, just a little quirky.

Well, BMO is, for all intents and purposes, headquarted here so it makes sense they would sponsor local things. I personally hate the 80's-Cool "BMO" logo and gagged a bit when I saw it on the jersey. They should drop the dated BMO crap and get a bit more current.

[skrish]

New Aerial Video of BMO Feild. The new turf is in and I think it looks great. Can't wait for the season to start this weekend.

http://gotorontofc.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=197

[shappy]

great video! Oh man, I'm getting excited!

[habsfan]

and TD will sponsor Montreal's future MLS team...

I don't care who sponsor's our future team, as long as it gets done!

[samne]

Habsfan, I dont see why MTL would need a new team. The USL and The MLS should be like the Premiereship and other Euro leagues, where teams are relegated and advanced to the top division.

[habsfan]

Habsfan, I dont see why MTL would need a new team. The USL and The MLS should be like the Premiereship and other Euro leagues, where teams are relegated and advanced to the top division.

I'm not sure I follow exactly what you're trying to say?? But why wouldn'T Montreal get an MLS team? We have proven over the past few years that this town can and more importantly DOES support soccer. If things stay the way they are, we will continually lose our best players to the MLS(it has already started. The impact lost Greg Sutton, the best goalie in the USL, cause he's going to MLS)

The Impact play in a 9,000 seat stadium and have averaged over 13,000 fans per game over the past 2 years. Before that the average was well over 10,000 fans per game. Not to mention that the Claude Robillard centre(where the Impact currently play) is pretty far from everything.

We will be getting our new stadium for the 2008 or 2009 season. (Maximum Capacity of 17,000)

What I find frustrating is that the Lynx averaged 3,000 maybe 4,000 fans per game over the past few years. Meanwhile Montreal has been averaging 3 times that number and yet Toronto is gettin the team first.:shrug:

[Sacamano]

^umm... you do realize the stadium the Lynx played at seats around 3500

[skrish]

I'm not sure I follow exactly what you're trying to say?? But why wouldn'T Montreal get an MLS team? We have proven over the past few years that this town can and more importantly DOES support soccer. If things stay the way they are, we will continually lose our best players to the MLS(it has already started. The impact lost Greg Sutton, the best goalie in the USL, cause he's going to MLS)

The Impact play in a 9,000 seat stadium and have averaged over 13,000 fans per game over the past 2 years. Before that the average was well over 10,000 fans per game. Not to mention that the Claude Robillard centre(where the Impact currently play) is pretty far from everything.

We will be getting our new stadium for the 2008 or 2009 season. (Maximum Capacity of 17,000)

What I find frustrating is that the Lynx averaged 3,000 maybe 4,000 fans per game over the past few years. Meanwhile Montreal has been averaging 3 times that number and yet Toronto is gettin the team first.:shrug:

The new stadium capacity for Saputo Stadium will be 13,500 not 17,000 though I'm pretty sure it will be expandable. While Montreal is one of the more deserving teams to go to the MLS, it won't be happening in the near future. Part of Toronto's new team deal rights guarantee that there can't be another Canadian team in the MLS until 2010. Also the owner of the Impact is a harsh critic of the of the MLS and strong supporter of the USL. While I hope that Montreal does get a MLS team, look to Vancouver getting one first.

[habsfan]

^umm... you do realize the stadium the Lynx played at seats around 3500


I wasn't aware of that...but did they even sell out?

The new stadium capacity for Saputo Stadium will be 13,500 not 17,000 though I'm pretty sure it will be expandable

Trust me, they'll be expanding this thing before the end of the first season!

Part of Toronto's new team deal rights guarantee that there can't be another Canadian team in the MLS until 2010.

I was aware of that. They have a clause stipulating that it'll be the only canadian team for the first three years. Not a problem, three years goes by pretty fast!

Also the owner of the Impact is a harsh critic of the of the MLS and strong supporter of the USL.

True, but I'm willing to bet that he'll change his mind once the team starts to make bigger revenues in the bigger Saputo Stadium.:tup: :cheers:

[ldoto]

Tyler Hemming represents the future of Toronto FC, but what he'll be going through with the new Major League Soccer team will also be vital to the hopes of Canada's national soccer. :cool:

The London native will open the season with the MLS Toronto FC. His first game is Saturday in Los Angeles against Chivas.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/ldoto/Pics/LDN20070402dr_hemmings.jpg
Tyler Hemming represents the future of Toronto FC, but what he'll be going through with the new Major League Soccer team will also be vital to the hopes of Canada's national soccer.

The London native will open the season with the MLS Toronto FC. His first game is Saturday in Los Angeles against Chivas.

MLS roster rules stipulate that a team can carry 11 senior players, seven reserve players and 10 development players. Hemming is one of those development players.

The 21-year-old defender has always been considered a great talent and will benefit from what are smart roster rules for the development of young players.

Without these rules, roster spots would likely be filled by more experienced players, relegating young players permanently to the bench or preventing them from getting a chance to play at a higher level.

A professional soccer team in Toronto is vital to the development of young players for this country.

"Normally, professional clubs have the big club, then you have stepping stones along the way," Hemming said.

"You'll have teams from under-13 to under-19 and then have a reserve team and the first team. You are always trying to make that team above you. There's always a plan or a goal for you to reach. That's what's good about the professional system in other countries. You are always trying to achieve something great at another level."

Hemming will now get a chance to do the same thing here without having to search all over the world for a place to play.

"Being a development player, doesn't make much difference," Hemming said. "You are still eligible to play in every game. You train with the full team. For this season, I would just like to keep improving as a player. You give 100 per cent at training, every day and see where it takes me. You just have to keep on improving and look to get into some games and try and impress when I get into games."

But what's also key for Hemming is MLS teams have reserve sides which play on a regular basis.

"If I don't get a chance to play in the first-team games, I'll get a chance to play in those games so it's a question of impressing during those games as well," he said.

Hemming was one of the youngest players to ever play in the Canadian Soccer League. He spent four years at Hartwick College in the Atlantic Soccer Conference and was conference player-of-the-year two years in succession. He had ten goals and one assist last year with his college team.

Hemming is six foot, 174 pounds and was drafted in the fourth round, 40th overall in the 2007 MLS supplemental draft. That too was an indication that he was highly thought of by Toronto. He attended team practices during the winter and was told he'd be signed. But Toronto was worried someone else would draft him first so they opted to draft him.

It's been a hectic winter for Hemming. He spent two weeks training at the Toronto soccer centre. Then travelled to Fort Lauderdale for two weeks. He returned to the University of Toronto for more training sessions and left in early March for two weeks in Bradenton, Fla., and South Carolina for training and a tournament.

It's part of the advantage of playing for a truly professional soccer club.

"It's a very, very professional atmosphere," Hemming said. "Everything they do is spot on, very professional. You come to training, get ready, train for two hours, that's your work for a day. Then you rest, get treatment and do whatever you need to do to get ready for your next training day."

It's a far cry from trying to play soccer on a part-time basis.

Hemming is getting a shot at playing professionally at a good time. Toronto FC has generated great interest in Toronto, having sold more than 14,000 season tickets. They'll begin play in a new 20,000-seat stadium, a stadium that needed to be built if soccer is ever going to blossom at the senior level.

"This gives young players aspirations, something to look up to," Hemming said. "People are excited about it. There's lots of commercials and billboards and people wearing our shirts already. In a town where there are the Raptors and Maple Leafs, it's nice to know that we've sold more tickets than expected."

But even at this early stage in his career, Hemming understands that in order to maintain the interest, winning is important.

"We're improving every day as a team," Hemming said. "All these guys haven't played together before. We have to jell but we're getting there. We have injuries right now and people on international duty. On paper we have a very good team. That's important because you have to compete to keep fans coming out."

[caltrane74]

I predict Toronto will need a new stadium for its team very shortly. Demand seems to have overwhemed supply in the case of Toronto FC. My buddy cant even find a jersey.

Do you think this team will be popular??

[samne]

I'm not sure I follow exactly what you're trying to say?? But why wouldn'T Montreal get an MLS team? We have proven over the past few years that this town can and more importantly DOES support soccer. If things stay the way they are, we will continually lose our best players to the MLS(it has already started. The impact lost Greg Sutton, the best goalie in the USL, cause he's going to MLS)

The Impact play in a 9,000 seat stadium and have averaged over 13,000 fans per game over the past 2 years. Before that the average was well over 10,000 fans per game. Not to mention that the Claude Robillard centre(where the Impact currently play) is pretty far from everything.

We will be getting our new stadium for the 2008 or 2009 season. (Maximum Capacity of 17,000)

What I find frustrating is that the Lynx averaged 3,000 maybe 4,000 fans per game over the past few years. Meanwhile Montreal has been averaging 3 times that number and yet Toronto is gettin the team first.:shrug:

Im saying that the MLS and USL should work together as League A and B. Top two teams advance to MLS and bottom 2 relegate to USL every season. This would make the leagues more competetive.

If the Lynx advance to the MLS, then there's a derby match.

[shappy]

14,000 out of 20,000 tickets have already been purchased as season tickets... that's way too much, in my opinion. It'll be impossible to get tickets for a game. I bet it'll be easier to get Leaf tickets...

[OrientExpress]

let's all buy a pair of cleats and meet for a game someday.

[Master Plan Dan]

Nice looking stadium.... and Toronto looks amazing from that angle!

[shappy]

here's a great video from opening day (CBC)...

http://www.cbc.ca/clips/mov/saltzman-3torontofc070428.mov