{"id":26994,"date":"2020-04-19T00:34:46","date_gmt":"2020-04-19T04:34:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsoccer.com\/?p=26994"},"modified":"2020-04-23T16:49:00","modified_gmt":"2020-04-23T20:49:00","slug":"toronto-fc-come-on-you-reds-the-bloody-big-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2020\/04\/19\/toronto-fc-come-on-you-reds-the-bloody-big-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"Come On You Reds: The Bloody Big Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editorial \u2014 <\/strong>“Come on You Reds: The story of Toronto FC” was released on Oct. 6, 2018. This book covers the origins of Toronto FC<\/a> to their MLS Cup win and Concacaf Champions League Final run.<\/p>\n

The author of the book is Joshua Kloke, a current staff writer of The Athletic Toronto. This article will focus on the Bloody Big Deal and how it changed the franchise forever.<\/p>\n

Tim Leiweke Becomes CEO and President of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Background of MLSE<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When Tim Leiweke was selected to be CEO and president of MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment), he wanted to change the sporting landscape. He officially took office on April 26, 2013. At that time MLSE owned the Raptors, TFC, the Leafs and the Marlies. When he was with MLSE, TFC formed their farm team called TFC II on Nov. 20, 2014. They formed a bridge between the first team and their academy team, which is now known as TFC III. They currently play in USL League One, the third tier of US soccer.<\/p>\n

Bloody Big Deal<\/strong><\/h3>\n

However, this article is about the Bloody Big Deal and how Toronto FC became a powerhouse. This article will first look at how Tim Leiweke signed Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley. When Leiweke took over in April 2014, TFC failed to qualify even once for the MLS playoffs.<\/p>\n

Leiweke said many times that he wanted Toronto FC \u201cto be great.\u201d His ideas with Toronto FC changed the club into a perennial MLS Cup contender and as an MLS team with a big budget. He also had the pedigree to accomplish this.<\/p>\n

When he was with the LA Galaxy<\/a>, he signed both Robbie Keane and David Beckham who created a dynasty in LA. Ironically, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played with the LA Galaxy for 2018-19, was Bezbatchenko’s initial target to sign for 2014. However, Leiweke shot down that suggestion thinking that Ibrahimovic would see Toronto FC and MLS as a victory lap.<\/p>\n

It is hard to fathom, but before 2014, TFC were known as a team with a small budget. A team led by Kevin Payne, who believed building a team slowly was the right way to go. However, Leiweke did not believe that vision. As a result, Payne was fired and Leiweke’s vision began to take shape.<\/p>\n

\n

The stage is set! It's A Bloody Big Deal. pic.twitter.com\/Ha8lPT3GO8<\/a><\/p>\n

— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) January 13, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n