Kurtis Larson is Sun Media’s Senior National Online Sports Editor as well as being their leading columnist on Toronto FC and covering the Canadian men’s national soccer team. You can follow him on Twitter @KurtLarSUN.
I’d like to thank you for taking the time out of your day and doing this with us Kurtis. You are known as being one of Canada’s top soccer writers working for one of the largest media companies in the nation – how did this all come about?
“Well, first of all, I’m American – which makes the story that much more confusing. Long story short, my girlfriend (she’s from Toronto) and I both played NCAA Division 1 soccer at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Upon graduating, I returned to Toronto with her. I have a degree in broadcast journalism and was lucky enough to get hired for the first job I applied for here at Sun Media in 2008. While here, I’ve done my best to meet as many people as I can, which eventually led to a chance encounter with the Toronto Sun sports editor, who said he needed a new soccer columnist. Growing up in Kansas City, I’ve followed Major League Soccer since its inaugural season. So, when given the chance to cover the game here in Toronto, I took the opportunity and ran in an attempt to be a leading soccer pundit in a country I now call home.”
How do you fight to compete with other sports which perhaps have more of a following in Canada through your writing?
“I’m lucky enough to work for a publication that’s known for its comprehensive sports coverage. Because of that, I don’t have to fight for space in the section. Plus, when you’re breaking stories and getting exclusive interviews with Toronto FC and MLSE top brass, it’s not difficult to pitch a story. I think our goal here at Sun Media is to be the go-to source for every team in this city – the Raptors, Leafs, Argos, Jays and TFC – and I think we’re doing a pretty good job of it.”
MLS has developed tremendously over the years; in the time in which you have been writing, what have been the biggest improvements to the league?
“The ability to expand into markets that have raised the league’s profile. Since 2007, Major League Soccer has gotten just about everything right expansion-wise. Think about it. Toronto, Philadelphia, Seattle, Portland, Vancouver and Montreal are all top clubs with full stadiums. It will be interesting to see how much success Orlando, Miami and Atlanta have out of the gate.”
Where does MLS go from here in your eyes?
“According to commissioner Don Garber, they’ll expand into one more market, assuming Miami and Atlanta are indeed announced as the league’s 22nd and 23rd teams. Then, it’s wait and see. The good news is this year’s TV deal is rumoured to be three-times as high as the previous one, meaning more money for club executives, which means more money to spend on players. The league needs to get to a place where its bottom-end players are paid significantly more. Until then, the overall standard will stall.”
Do you see MLS expanding into further Canadian markets, perhaps NASL clubs like Edmonton or Ottawa in the future?
“Never say never. If Ottawa or Edmonton build up a big season ticket base, have a stadium plan and an owner with deep pockets then I’m sure the league will be interested. Do I see that happening? No.”
As a kid growing up there wasn’t much in terms of local professional soccer in the Toronto area apart from USL side Toronto Lynx – what clubs did you support, if any, growing up?
“Growing up, I supported my hometown MLS team in Kansas City and the U.S. national team. I still support the U.S. national team. The 1994 World Cup really changed soccer in the United States. I’m part of the first generation of true soccer fans to come through the system. The game has changed so much in just 10 years in the States.”
What is the best aspect of covering Toronto FC for a living?
“It’s a league I’ve followed since 1996, when my mom took my friend and me to the first-ever Kansas City Wiz game. I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s just cool to look back and realize I’m getting to do something a lot of people dream of doing. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t think about how lucky I am to watch and write about soccer for a living. Not many people enjoy their jobs.”
What was your initial response to the famous announcement of 2006 and the creation of Toronto FC?
“It was quite the surprise seeing as my girlfriend and I were in university at the time. I think I went to her and said: “Hey, you guys got an MLS team.” Funny enough, she responded: “Yeah, my parents already have season tickets.” And, to this day, her parents still have season tickets in section 105 at BMO Field.”
At this moment, it appears that the investment in the three designated players (Defoe, Gilberto and Bradley) plus Julio Cesar and the return of Dwayne De Rosario have reaped dividends for the club – how do you think Toronto FC will fare this season and in the long run?
“I predicted them to finish fifth in the Eastern Conference. I’m sticking to that. That said, they’re going to struggle when Michael Bradley leaves for the World Cup. They don’t have a replacement. I think this is a playoff team that lacks MLS Cup-worthy depth.”
You stated in an article last year regarding the expansion of BMO Field that there are simply too many issues if the Argos were to be a shared tenant with Toronto FC; has your opinion changed since then?
“If I said that, it was before I saw the renderings of the new venue, which I fully support. My sit-down with MLSE CEO Tim Leiweke was also quite convincing. Here’s the thing: The proposal looks great – the roof, the seat expansion, the concourse improvements, everything. It’s a win-win financially for the city and the province. My only concern is the pitch. As long as Leiweke follows through on his promise that TFC fans won’t even know the Argos use BMO Field when they arrive for a game, there’s no reason not to support it.”
What of the Canadian men’s team – do they stand a chance at qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia what with players like Mike Petrasso, Dylan Carreiro, Doneil Henry, Russell Teibert and Jonathan Osorio coming of age?
“I’m not as optimistic as some that Canada will make another World Cup. Over the last 10 years, programs like Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico and the U.S. have made massive strides. In my opinion, Canada hasn’t. If anything, it has regressed. We’re not producing top players. Of the “top” young Canadian players you listed, my bet is a couple of them pan out. Additionally, I’m not convinced a Canadian team will ever be able to win on the road in a difficult environment. You saw them in Panama and Honduras, right? They were completely run off the field. They bowed down when they needed to stand tallest for themselves, and their country.”
Have there been any special moments which have occurred that stick out to you as being more memorable than others during your career?
“I’m sure this summer’s World Cup in Brazil will be a fantastic – and exhausting – experience for me. Looking back, though, I’ll never forget Canada’s run through World Cup qualification in 2012. I had the opportunity to travel to each of Canada’s away games in Cuba, Panama and Honduras. I’ll never forget the atmosphere at the stadium in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. It gives me chills just writing about. Further to that point, I’ll never forget the ass-kicking Canada received that day either.”
If you could forecast Toronto FC’s 2014 season in three words, what would they be?
“Turned a corner.”
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @Aldo_Calcio. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Interested in writing for LWOS? We are looking for enthusiastic, talented writers to join our writing team. Visit our “Write for Us” page for very easy details in how you can get started today!
Feel free to discuss this and other footy related articles with thousands of fans at r/football.
Main Photo via Kurtis Larson’s Twitter Account.
