Toronto FC: Steven Gerrard Comes to Town
By Chris Mckee
On Saturday, local-based Liverpool fans will have their only opportunity this season to see their favourite son Steven Gerrard play live, as he makes an appearance for the star-studded L.A. Galaxy against Toronto FC.
BMO Field will be near its 30,000 capacity and the stands will be filled with a sea of red jerseys, as it is for most Toronto FC home games. However, it may be difficult to spot the names Giovinco or Altidore on the fans’ shirts this week, because the overwhelming majority will likely have the name Gerrard stamped on their back.
The 36-year old will play his first and likely only game in Toronto as a member of the Galaxy, and the local Liverpool supporters will be out in masses to pay homage to their favourite son. Saturday’s game will be that rare occasion where the majority of the crowd will not be routing for the home team, and the local TFC supporters could be muffled by the chants of Liverpool fans signing the chorus of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as well as “Steven Gerrard, Gerrard.”
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Gerrard came to the Galaxy last July, after 17 seasons at Liverpool where he captained them and led them to Champions League glory in 2005, after an improbable come-from-behind victory against AC Milan. There are very few players in the history of sports that have the sort of connection and adoration that Liverpool fans have for Gerrard, and Saturday will likely be the only opportunity for the majority Canadian supporters to pay their respects in person.
The former England international now leads a Galaxy side that reads more like a 2008 European all-star squad, featuring former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole and former Manchester City midfielder Nigel De Jong among others. They come into the match up with Toronto, with both teams in fifth place in their respective conferences.
The Galaxy will be without Robbie Keane, who is currently on national team duty playing with the Republic of Ireland in Euro 2016. Meanwhile, Toronto is without its captain Michael Bradley, who is with the US National team playing in the Copa America.
Stevie G’s appearance adds a certain complexity to the match up that we don’t really see in sports too often, with the possibility of local fans cheering when both teams score. You’ll be more likely to hear a Scouser shouting “Go on’ Stevie” instead of somebody cheering on our reigning league MVP Sebastian Giovinco.
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It will be interesting to see how the dynamics of the evening unfold on Saturday, with so many fans in attendance just to see one player.