Beyond POV-FS – WTR Mailbag, The New & Improved BMO Field, and Toronto FC vs. FC Dallas

This week's round includes the standard mailbag, a variety of thoughts surrounding the renovations at BMO Field, and finally, Toronto FC's home opener against FC Dallas on Saturday:

Waking the Red – WTR Mailbag

In this weekly feature, after a brief rant readers turned the conversation over to the TFC home opener, in particular, Bill Manning's comments on Sportsnet's TFC Pitchside and then an interesting exchange over the development of Jordan Hamilton, as well as the general nature of player progress in North America.

MLSsoccer.com – 10 Things... Get to Know the New BMO Field

In this countdown-style post, a recount of the features added during the renovations at BMO Field ahead of the opener on the weekend.

MLSsoccer.com – TFC Players Marvel at Renovated BMO Field

Prior to their first training session at the new ground, Michael Bradley, Jonathan Osorio, and Greg Vanney spoke about what the now massive stadium meant to the side as they looked to transform solid road performances into home dominance.

MLSsoccer.com – Toronto Officials Celebrate 'Spectacular' New BMO

Recounting the Grand Re-Opening event held at BMO Field on Friday with lines from some of those who spoke about what the ground means, not just for the club, but for the city.

MLSsoccer.com – Toronto FC vs. FC Dallas Post-Match Reactions

In a pair of posts following Toronto's 1-0 win over Dallas, TFC opens up about what the raucous atmosphere during the match meant to them, while Dallas coach, Oscar Pareja, finds reasons for optimism in the midst of a third straight defeat.

First Person View – Midseason Friendlies should be Celebratory -- Part Three - A Call to Arms

    As a non-member of the supporter’s culture, though perhaps more invested in the fortunes of the team than many, it is not my place to call into question the why’s of how one chooses to support the club.

First Person View – Midseason Friendlies should be Celebratory -- Part Two - What Should Be Done

    With the midweek match against AS Roma in the rearview and Kevin Payne’s comments still simmering, it is a good to time get to the root of this problem.

First Person View – Midseason Friendlies should be Celebratory -- Part One - Why They Aren’t

    The concept of a midseason friendly is simple and admirable enough.

    Bring in a big club, a storied one, somebody the home fans and soccer-aficionados who do not regularly attend matches alike would be interested in seeing.

    Sure, use it as a marketing tool, but also a celebration of how far the game has come in this franchise’s short life.

    With nothing riding on the match, it should be a fun night out, and a chance to just enjoy the game without the stress of points on the line.

    How many times in the life of the average Torontonian does one get the chance to see Francesco Totti – a true legend of the game - live in action? Once, maybe twice?

    But clearly in Toronto, they have become sources of conflict, that vocal minority of Toronto fans, flinching like the spurned lovers that they are, are duly annoyed by these matches; the question is why?

On the Race to Be the First Canadian Team in the MLS Playoffs, Measuring Success, & Long-Term Planning

    The Vancouver Whitecaps, should they make the playoffs this season, will become the first Canadian club to gain entry to the MLS postseason, much to the chagrin of Toronto FC and their fans, who have long used the playoffs as their stated goal, or as a measuring stick of success.

Front Office Dunk Tank

    If only Toronto FC had thought of this before getting rid of Mo and company. Throw in a few tosses at one of these babies at the end of each year and no one would mind the incremental increases in season ticket prices.

Some Miscellaneous Thoughts on the Latest Troubles Surrounding Toronto FC – Part III

The third part; a final segment addressing some of the current issues swirling around a troubled Toronto FC; parts one and two.