MLS Review: Toronto FC - Major League Soccer's Newest Club

Toronto FC is Major League Soccer's 13th and newest team. Located in Toronto, Canada, it's also MLS's first team located outside of the United States. Toronto FC is owned by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., who also own the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) and the Toronto Raptors (NBA).

The name Toronto FC was chosen after an online poll was presented - 40% of respondents chose Toronto FC from a list of choices including the Toronto Nationals, Inter Toronto FC, Toronto Reds, Toronto FC, or the Toronto Northmen. The team owners chose Toronto FC to allow a club nickname to be decided on by the fans organically, instead of being created artificially by the league/team owners.

The team was formed in May of 2006, and will play it's first ever league match on April 7th, 2007, at the Home Depot Center vs. CD Chivas USA. Toronto FC will play its home matches at BMO Field, a newly constructed 20,000 seat soccer specific stadium. BMO Field is owned by the city of Toronto, but managed by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. The 2007 FIFA U20 World Cup will be held at BMO Field, and according to Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, the 2008 MLS All-Star game and a future MLS Cup will both be held at BMO Field.

After selling 14,000 of the 20,000 available seats to season ticket holders, Toronto FC has stopped selling season tickets - making Toronto FC the first club in Major League Soccer history to sell all of the available season tickets. The club has put future season tickets on a waiting list, and has grouped other tickets together in Premium Packs, and International Packs.

Head Coach Mo Johnston was hired in August of 2006, and chose midfielder Maurice Edu as the first draft pick of the 2007 MLS Super Draft. Toronto FC will follow MLS's rules regarding players, specifically being limited to an 18 man senior roster, and a 10 man developmental roster. MLS allows 4 senior roster spots to be taken by foreign players, with the rest being domestic (5 of the developmental roster spots can be used on foreign players). In Toronto FC's case, the domestic means Canadian. Toronto FC is allowed to have an additional 3 members of their senior roster who qualify as domestic for a US based team - which makes a total of 11 players who must be Canadian, and up to 7 'foreign' players - 3 of whom must be American.

Toronto FC continues the tradition of Major League Soccer slowly and responsibly expanding its base. With the addition of Toronto FC, David Beckham, two new soccer specific stadiums coming on-line, hosting Celtic as the All-Star game opponent - the 2007 MLS season is the most eagerly anticipated since the inaugural season of 1996!