TORONTO—What a glorious time to be a sports fan in Canada’s largest city.
The Raptors and Maple Leafs are in their respective training camps preparing to start up a new season in October, the Argonauts are fighting for first place in the CFL’s East Division, and Toronto FC is inching ever so closer towards a historic playoff berth.
Of course, it’s the Blue Jays that are the talk of the town—and of the country. The city’s baseball club, after years of chronic under-achievement, has sewn up its first playoff berth since winning the World Series in 1993, and can clinch a division title with a victory in Baltimore on Wednesday night.
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The Blue Jays’ incredible run in the second half of the season has not gone unnoticed by Toronto FC, who is drawing inspiration from the city’s baseball team as it prepares to finally make its playoff debut in its ninth year in Major League Soccer.
“I think it’s great because aside from the sporting aspect is the support aspect that they’ve drawn from the community and from Torontonians who are behind them 1000 percent,” TFC coach Greg Vanney said.
“There’s a groundswell of support for (the Jays) and people feel it. That for us is also motivation. We know that if we continue to win games, and build momentum, and get over some of the hurdles that people keep bringing up about our past, and we move forward and people start believing is us, that same groundswell will come with this group because people are waiting for us to make that statement.”
Defender Josh Williams, an Ohio native who’s a big Cleveland Indians fan, hopes TFC can also generate some buzz in the city with its first playoff appearance.
“It should inspire everybody. You see how the (city) has latched on, there’s so much excitement around. I’m hoping that we can go on run here and when we get into the playoffs that the (city) can support us as well,” Williams said
Williams also added: “It’s exciting watching (the Jays) play. I’ve gone to a couple of games this year. It’s hard not to get into it. It’s exciting for them and I’m enjoying it—it’s good baseball.”
Like Williams, Vanney grew up playing both baseball and soccer as a youngster—he described himself as a solid leadoff hitter who batted for average not for power, with a high on-base percentage, and a very good fielder.
He’s followed the Jays closely throughout the year, and has been impressed how they’ve come together at the perfect time.
“They’ve got a great attacking team in terms of (being) an offensive team. They put runs on the board, they do a good job of getting themselves out into leads early. They do a lot of things that are important regardless of your sport,” Vanney said.
Like TFC, the Blue Jays have gone through some hard times in recent years. That’s only made them a better club, and makes this run of success that much sweeter.
“They have a great group, and they seem to have a ‘mojo’ about them and a camaraderie about them that you get through experiences—hard experiences as well as great experiences. That’s why I enjoy watching (the Jays) because they truly are this team that has come together and feels great about who they are and what they’re doing. They’re fun to watch,” Vanney offered.
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TFC’s long wait for a playoff berth could come to an end this weekend. A home win against the Philadelphia Union, combined with both New York City FC and Orlando City dropping points in their respective games, would see the Reds officially clinch a spot in the post-season.
Needless to say there will be celebrations in the TFC camp if they clinch on Saturday.
“I would be hard to say there wouldn’t be,” Vanney said. “I mean it’s been a long time coming, not necessarily for this group but we feel the responsibility of many years before to try to get it done.
“So when that moment comes, I can pretty much assure you there’ll be some form of a celebration. Then we’ll get back to the business of positioning (in the standings).”
