A Toronto tid bit

It seems that just about everything done in Toronto is special. That's easy to say given that I've spent virtually my whole life here, but the city just keeps proving itself over and over again. Few projects are poorly executed. Everyone involved in a major way in this city from the mayor to city planners to large businesses seem dedicated to not being satisfied with the mediocre.

I'm a little late in writing about this, but truth be told, I hadn't really seen the subject of this posting in the three years or so it's been in existence. I'm talking about BMO field--the home of the Toronto FC Major League soccer team.

Here are a few photos that I found impressive:

On one side of the stadium, the seats are colour-coordinated to display the symbol and flag of Canada, the maple leaf. The MLS soccer franchise also happens to be owned by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs NHL team. Downtown Toronto is in the background, dominated by the CN Tower, which for some 40 years until recently was the tallest building in the world.



On the opposite side of the stadium, the seats spell out "TORONTO".


Background is Lake Ontario and Toronto island.





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Canada set to win the World Cup of Soccer 2010

Well, you'd think so if you listened to some of the current crop of players. Let's have some perspective, guys. Canada has only once even qualified for World Cup play. Ever. So, where's all the optimism coming from?

In preliminary qualifying, the "Super Canucks" positively destroyed their opponent, outscoring them 7-1 in two games. Who was this formidable opponent that succumbed to the mighty Canadians? St. Vincent. Yes, you read correctly. But let's not forgot that St. Vincent also includes The Sardines--I mean The Grenadines. For those unfamiliar with the soccer powerhouse, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is an island nation of 118,000 inhabitants situated in the Caribbean.

With high unemployment and people emigrating away, it's impressive that they can even put eleven players together. At last count, there were about 22,000 telephone lines. Dollars to doughnuts says the coach couldn't get in touch with some of the players to inform them of the upcoming games. The second largest country in the world has good reason to strut like the cock of the walk.

Go Canada!

Note: Canada's next game is in two days time against an equally considerable opponent--Jamaica. Team Canada should have an easy go of it as long as the Jamaicans have a good, healthy dose of the local herbal elixir before the game.