MLS CUP 2010 TORONTO

I went to the MLS Cup here in Toronto on Sunday between Dallas and Colorado. There were however some problems. I left at around 7 to catch the Matthew Good pregame concert. But unfortunately, I guess they ended that at around the 7:30 mark. Then I had to wait until 8:30 for kickoff. It was cold and windy too. (it was really nice on Monday, but its been the rest of the week) I also forgot my glasses, which wasn't too bad; but it did bother me that the first time I'm sitting at the north end of this stadium, and all the goals were scored at the south end. Though I did get a good view of goal #2 on the television monitor I was watching in the concession line. Argh.

Pictured: Argh

Some Dallas fans had made the trip all the way up here to Toronto. They moved as a group and had brought a lot of flags and a drum. They were actually outnumbered by fans of the other contender, but made sure to make up for this by being very audible throughout by way of chanting and drumming.

Was it always common practice for us to sing our national anthem at sporting events? Or was that a more recent thing? Whenever singing O Canada, people try to avoid belting it out, but everyone knows the rhythm and words so its always a very low harmony that sounds nice. After the anthems, they set off fireworks. A lot of them. Or perhaps that was to help warm up the stands.

The game itself was pretty scrappy, probably because the ref kept himself out of it even perhaps when he shouldn't have. Dallas with their aggressive style came on fast, but as we approached the later hours, I saw Colorado begin to take over offense. Dallas scored first with a good high angle assisted goal, but Colorado struck back in the second half to tie it up. The Colorado goal scorer kicked a loose ball in while on his back which may have characterized Colorado's scrappy play style.

Pictured: Scrappy play?

In overtime, Colorado scored again to take the lead. A Colorado player got near the goal from the side and an attempt to cross or curl the ball into the net was deflected in off of a Dallas defenseman. Some call it an own-goal, but it really didn't look like one to me. The goal scorer actually managed to injure himself and after rolling around celebrating, found himself unable to leave the pitch to the consternation of Dallas who believed him to be deliberately trying to eat up the clock. There was a physical altercation and the ref handed out yellow cards. Colorado actually had to finish the last 10 minutes of extra time a man down because they were out of substitutions before the injury.

Pictured: The game's MVP

Dallas retook the offensive and had multiple big chances, and almost succeeded at putting the ball in the net. They really seemed to come alive. Either they needed a reason to become aggressive again, or they really were able to take advantage of the additional man. However they were unsuccessful and Colorado won their first MLS Cup.

Pictured: Shiny

Perhaps it was the lack of celebrity, the weather, the paucity of promotion, or the fairly late hour for a Sunday game; but the stands were not totally full. Maybe 80-90% of the seats were filled, though I think it emptied out more as the game moved to extra time. I guess people really needed to get home in time to sleep. (Most people aren't as close to home or as much as a night owl as I am)

It was pretty fun in spite of the chill. This may not have registered big in the media today, but one day if this league becomes big I can say I saw this event.