Wow, what a year 2017 was for Toronto sports! We had a hat trick of championships won by Toronto sports teams. All three of them called their home playing fields either in Liberty Village or literally steps away. We would like to think that our community gave all three teams that special added magic touch and luck. Let’s recap on those championships and look ahead to at what’s to come for 2018.
Toronto Wolfpack
September 16, 2017, was the day that the Wolfpack became the 2017 Kingstone Press League I Champions. They had a stellar inaugural season, considering half of their season was played overseas in the United Kingdom. The team begins 2018 as part of a league called Championship. It is a promotion for the team after their first season. The first round of this year will be played on February 4th in the UK against Leigh Centurions. Cheer on the Wolfpack at their home opener on May 5th, at the Lamport Stadium.
Toronto FC
It was owed to us this year after being robbed of a championship in 2016. On December 9, 2017, the Toronto FC, for the first time in franchise history, won the MLS Cup after defeating the former champions, the Seattle Sounders. And almost everyone in Liberty Village could hear the cheering and feel the excitement! The 2018 season for the Toronto FC begins February 20, against the Colorado Rapids as part of the CONCACAF Championship League. Catch a soccer game this year over at neighbouring BMO Fields.
Toronto Argos
After working hard the past couple of seasons, making BMO Field their new home, the Toronto Argos won the Grey Cup. While the championship game itself was not played here on home turf, they did have a fantastic season. Playing in Ottawa against the Calgary Stampeders, the Argos took home the cup in a nationally televised event. Shortly after their win, the Toronto Argos was officially purchased by MLSE Group (Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment). Hopefully, under their new owners, they can repeat their success again this year. The first game that they play this year at BMO Field is on June 23 as they host the Calgary Stampeders.
Repeat Championships on the Horizon?
As the 2018 seasons start to kick off, it would be amazing to see all of our local, and arguably neighbourhood teams, bring home more championships. How can we help? The residents and businesses of Liberty Village should try and make it out to at least one game of each team. According to Wikipedia, “…in the history of North American major professional sports leagues championships (which include NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL) a city/metropolitan area has been home to multiple championships in a season, fifteen times…”. It may be wishful thinking, but now imagine if ALL Toronto sports teams won championships in this year?
