Toronto FC: 5 takeaways from Michael Bradley interview
By Paul Taylor
4) Game has no soul without fans but needs must
If you want to talk about passion and loyalty in MLS, Toronto FC fans are among the best. Ever since the team entered the league in 2007, the supporters have consistently packed into BMO Field, no matter how terrible the product has been on the field.
TFC always ranks near the top of MLS in terms of attendance. In 2019 they averaged 25,048 fans per game, which was fifth-best in the league.
There’s no denying this gives the Reds one of the better homefield advantages. However MLS, like all professional sports leagues, realise that when they do return to action, the games will more than likely be played without fans to begin with.
Bradley is well aware of this and despite having some experience of playing in empty stadiums, admits it will be tough. As per TSN, he said:
"“For any of us, sports are about the emotion. Whether you’re playing or coaching or watching, you go into a stadium or an arena to feel something, to be a part of something. “As players, when you do that without fans, whether it’s home fans or away fans, there’s a big part missing. My dad (Bob Bradley, head coach of Los Angeles FC) says a game without fans has no soul and I would agree with that.”"