In 2007, the Red Patch Boys (RPB) established ourselves as an official Toronto FC (TFC) supporters group with the general mission of supporting the team at home and away. With passion and pride, we have been organizing displays and chants as a regular fixture in the stands ever since. Our purpose extends beyond the 90 minutes of matches to consultation with the team organization as well as representing and promoting the sport of soccer in our community and a culture of support that is famous throughout Major League Soccer (MLS). One key element in our success is the environment where we operate most of the time: our home stadium, BMO Field (BMO). The facility, which also stands as Canada’s National Soccer Stadium, has contributed to the city’s enthusiasm for the sport and allowed it to thrive in the natural harmony between soccer culture and Toronto’s cultural landscape. In light of recent announcements made by Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and the TFC organization, we must express our disappointment.

RPB members, fellow TFC supporters and fans have long expressed concern over the concept of a new tenant making a move to play at BMO Field. The arrangements needed to support this cast a dark shadow on the future of the playing surface at BMO that we cannot ignore. BMO has progressed and evolved into a respected facility with world-class ambitions over the years. This has not only created an experience at home similar to famous stadiums around the world, but helped attract world-class talent to Toronto. In a ground share deal between these two sports, the tenant that bears the most risk is soccer as, no matter the investment in the surface, an acceptable recovery between uses is in high doubt—especially in the playoff time of year when both leagues are active. We have spent years watching the MLS grow and make soccer specific stadiums the centrepiece of the sport. This deal is a sign of regression for the league in general. We would prefer these tenants with their longstanding and deep-rooted history have their own stadium rather than a ground share at BMO Field.

With BMO at the epicentre, support of the sport and supporter culture has blossomed and continues to grow. After coming such a long way since TFC joined MLS in 2007, with a home to grow unparalleled support in the city at the local level and nationally with our Men’s and Women’s teams, this is a setback for soccer in Canada. Our goal remains to support and help push for the highest quality of play and experience for our fellow supporters, but we fear this deal will have a detrimental impact. As passionate supporters of not only TFC but of the National Soccer Stadium, we feel this move is counterproductive to the growth of the sport in Canada. Going forward, we intend to continue reaching out to management bodies to build and promote what we feel is in the best interests of our team, our city, our supporters and our sport. We want all Canadian sport to thrive, but when one sport can have such a negative impact on the playing surface of the other, we would rather see it played somewhere other than BMO Field.