Toronto FC kick off home opener today at BMO Field

TORONTO, ON. March 7, 2020 – TFC fans are rejoicing as their beloved Reds kick off the season against New York City FC today at 5 pm at BMO Field.

The Reds opened the season last week in San Jose with a 2-2 draw with the Earthquakes, but despite settling for a draw in the Bay area, the team says they have been excitedly gearing up this week on their home pitch, idyllically located at Exhibition Place along the shores of mighty Lake Ontario.

“Guys are excited to be home, excited to play another game; disappointed how the last one ended, so excited to get back out there,” said Greg Vanney in the TFC press release midweek. “It’s always nice to be in the stadium, the field is in good condition – today it was wet so it was zipping nice and fast – and energy is building into the weekend for sure.”

“I can speak for myself and tell you I’m really excited,” Quentin Westberg, the team’s French-American keeper told TFC reporter James Rossi. “I just love to play here, love to play in front of our fans and, hopefully, we deliver.”

“We’ve had some great home openers,” recalls veteran Reds midfielder, 27-year-old Jonathan Osorio. “We want to make sure this one’s another one to remember for the fans.”

Meanwhile NYFC are coming off a disappointing 1-0 opening loss to the Columbus Crew, so they should be hungry for this big city clash.

Although NYCFC have a new coach in Ronny Deila, the squad that finished first in the east last adopted an ‘if it ain’t broke, why fix it?’ off-season as the team remains relatively unchanged.

“They’re still a possession-based team, they want to have the ball, said TFC coach Greg Vanney. “They’re going to open up the space, they’re going to entice you out and try to play through the spaces that open up if you get pulled out.”

Kick-off at BMO Field today is 5 pm but Toronto fans will want to get there early to partake in the parade from Liberty Village and help cheer on the Reds to victory. “C’mon you Reds.”

story by Terry Lankstead