Wow, even though benfica wont bring the full squad it would be great, to bad i gotta wake up so early to get tickets on a saturday

TFC Announces Two International Matches
May 7, 2007


(RELEASE) - Toronto FC announced Monday, that two world-renowned football clubs will be making their debut at BMO Field playing in two different International Friendlies against Toronto FC.

Wednesday May 23, Benfica will kick off against TFC. The Portuguese club based in Lisbon was founded in 1908 and remains one of the big three clubs in Portugal . Benfica has the biggest fan base and the largest number of registered associates among Portuguese clubs, also having the largest number of supporters outside of its own country numbering 12 million worldwide.

Currently sitting third in the SuperLiga, they are managed by Fernando Santos and boast big name players such as Nuno Gomes, Rui Costa and Simao.

“We are ecstatic to bring one of the most recognizable clubs in Portugal to Toronto ”, said Toronto FC Director of Team Operations Paul Beirne . “We are aware of the number of supporters Benfica has outside of Portugal , and we know a lot of them are right here in our city, making this a perfect fit for Toronto FC.”

On Wednesday July 25, Aston Villa will visit BMO Field. Villa is one of the most oldest and storied football clubs in England.

Founding members of the Football League in 1888 and a member of the Premier League since 1992, Aston Villa will prepare for their 2007-08 Premiership season with a stop in Toronto.

“Obviously, anytime you can bring a Premiership team to North America , it is a major event. We couldn’t be happier to host Aston Villa and we hope our fans will be just as pleased,” said Beirne. “Toronto FC is committed to bringing in quality international teams, and we know both Villa, and Benfica fit that bill.”

Lead by Manager Martin O’Neill, Aston Villa currently sits 11th in the Premiership and have numerous honours to their credit. European Cup Winners in 1982, European Super Cup Winners in 1982-83, InterToto Cup Winners in 2001, and they boast seven FA Cup titles. Villa features international talent such as Thomas Sorensen, Gareth Barry, and Olof Mellberg.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Saturday May 12, when the BMO Field Box Office will open at 9 am. Following that, tickets can be purchased on-line at www.ticketmaster.ca beginning at noon.

http://www.ontariosoccerweb.com/articles.php?id=4006

have you seen the ticket prices....friggin outrageous

Seat Section // Public Price // Your SSH price for additional tickets (limit of 4/game/account)
CLUBS - Sold Out
RED // $195 // $175
DARK GREY // $154 // $140
MED. GREY // $132 // $120
LIGHT GREY // $110 // $95
YELLOW // $110 // $95

Are you seriouse? **** that

have you seen the ticket prices....friggin outrageous

Seat Section // Public Price // Your SSH price for additional tickets (limit of 4/game/account)
CLUBS - Sold Out
RED // $195 // $175
DARK GREY // $154 // $140
MED. GREY // $132 // $120
LIGHT GREY // $110 // $95
YELLOW // $110 // $95


That's a brilliant avatar. :jambo:

yes im serious. Those prices are disgusting considering the teams that are playing, and even if they were bigger clubs, i still wouldnt pay that much to watch, except for juventus.

have you seen the ticket prices....friggin outrageous

Seat Section // Public Price // Your SSH price for additional tickets (limit of 4/game/account)
CLUBS - Sold Out
RED // $195 // $175
DARK GREY // $154 // $140
MED. GREY // $132 // $120
LIGHT GREY // $110 // $95
YELLOW // $110 // $95

You could get a season card for that in Norway :|

yes im serious. Those prices are disgusting considering the teams that are playing, and even if they were bigger clubs, i still wouldnt pay that much to watch, except for juventus.

What?! :f***:

What?! :f***:

compared to say....Barca, Real, Milan, Bayern etc... those are smaller clubs. Although there is a large population of both Portguese and English here in Toronto. And for that price, i wouldnt pay to see those clubs considering in all probability they'll be fielding a reserve squad

There's a large population of Enligsh in Toronto? Where? I'd be glad to meet some but I just run but I'm pretty sure that they aren't very common.

Great news anyways, Toronto hopefully won't get thrashed too bad.

Let's just hope that the first goal comes before the friendlies.

have you seen the ticket prices....friggin outrageous

Seat Section // Public Price // Your SSH price for additional tickets (limit of 4/game/account)
CLUBS - Sold Out
RED // $195 // $175
DARK GREY // $154 // $140
MED. GREY // $132 // $120
LIGHT GREY // $110 // $95
YELLOW // $110 // $95
LMAO! Best avatar ever hahaha. (H) Skeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Those prices are ******* stupid. How Canadian.

I'll be watching the Benfica game in NY, my group got 500 tickets before they went on sale to the public, nice being one of the 160,000 due paying member for SLB. We got 475 $45 tickets, and the rest behind the SLB bench.

Can hardly wait for these games it's gonna be great to see these teams in Toronto!

There's a large population of Enligsh in Toronto? Where? I'd be glad to meet some but I just run but I'm pretty sure that they aren't very common.

Great news anyways, Toronto hopefully won't get thrashed too bad.

Ya there is a large english population but theyre scattered everywhere. Ew had heritage day today at my school and they were rampant. Theyre not as prevalent as say the italian or portuguese communities are though.

Your avatar overshadows this thread (H)

Your avatar overshadows this thread (H)

lmao, ive had this avata since i joined and now everybody takes notice?

Yes my friend, now is your big moment (H)

Wow I was about to say that I'll watch Villa but those prices are pretty nuts.

lmao, ive had this avata since i joined and now everybody takes notice?

Bask in the glory.

Those prices are high, but they should sell a fair number for Benfica. Aston Villa, not so much.

As part of my $300 season's tickets, I get to go to both without paying any extra (H)

haha MLSE doing it's usual ass-raping of the Toronto faithful :nape:

What is $100 Canadian? $8.99 US?

100.00 Cad = 90.0814 Usd


your economy's gone down buddy

it was higher than that not so long ago too

Actually, the problem is not MLSE, it's Benfica.

I was speaking to the president of the supporters group yesterday, and apparently even the MLSE guys were shocked at how much $$ the European sides want to come and play a friendly.

And Benfica and AV are less expensive than the big boys, so don't expect to see ManU, Liverpool, Barca or Madrid in Toronto for a while.

Before we start to go on about MLSE's deep pockets etc. the soccer budget is what it is, so that won't affect the rest of operations at the moment.

Considering that all 14,500 season ticket holders get to go to these games, they can only sell an additional 5,500 tickets. Small amount of seats available = high demand = opportunity to charge preposterously high prices.

And, as zlojack pointed out, there may be a necessity to charge preposterously high prices in order to cover expenses.

Actually, the problem is not MLSE, it's Benfica.

I was speaking to the president of the supporters group yesterday, and apparently even the MLSE guys were shocked at how much $$ the European sides want to come and play a friendly.

And Benfica and AV are less expensive than the big boys, so don't expect to see ManU, Liverpool, Barca or Madrid in Toronto for a while.

Before we start to go on about MLSE's deep pockets etc. the soccer budget is what it is, so that won't affect the rest of operations at the moment.

I'd have to agree. I saw Benfica less than 10 years ago. They didn't bring all of the stars and played in my high school stadium in East Providence, Rhode Island. It was only $25 but still overpriced for a small general admission stadium holding less than 5k people. But it was still good to see them live at least once in my lifetime.

Peace.

I agree, that is by far one of the best avatar I've seen haha :D


Back to the topic. Here in L.A, If you want to see chelsea this summer, they are making you buy a pack of three for three events. They start at around 140. I guess is not that bad, but to make someone have to buy tickets for three games is just :(

I agree, that is by far one of the best avatar I've seen haha :D


Back to the topic. Here in L.A, If you want to see chelsea this summer, they are making you buy a pack of three for three events. They start at around 140. I guess is not that bad, but to make someone have to buy tickets for three games is just :(

Thats what MLSE is doing with Beckhams first visit to Toronto, you cant buy individual tickets, you have to buy a pack of 2-3 games.

Having watched all of the TO FC matches so far I have to say the support has been marvellous. The sings, chanting & intimidation is like playing in Div 2 game in England. Superb.

Having watched all of the TO FC matches so far I have to say the support has been marvellous. The sings, chanting & intimidation is like playing in Div 2 game in England. Superb.
Thanks :brow:

Thanks :brow:

welcome :brow:

Toronto FC Vs Benfica should be great!

Is this game on TV?

Benfica's bringing a team that's almost entirely made up of reserves and bench players, kinda takes a bit of interest away from the game for me personally. Although Rui Costa and Miccoli will be there!

Heres the squad that is making the trip

Moreira, Pedro Correia, Anderson, Léo, Rui Costa, Miguelito, Paulo Jorge, Beto, Manu, Nelson, David Luiz, Miccoli, Moretto, Sami, Miguel Rosa, Miguel Vítor e Romeu Ribeiro.

no quim or morretto no petit, the greeks, no nuno gomes, simao, and mantorras

Moretto is coming last I read

So Luis, you making the trip to the Big Smoke?

naww, I'm in Ottawa right now for work :(

...and may I add, I hate the city of Ottawa. Besides a couple blocks downtown where the Parliament buildings and the embassies are, the rest of the city is crap. Ottawa must have the highest number of street urchins per capita of any city in Canada.

Ottawa must have the highest number of street urchins per capita of any city in Canada.

They're only there to pressure the government to give out more welfare cash, but you probably knew that already. ;)

But seriously, even though I am a fan of both Benfica and Aston Villa, if I were in the GTA, I would have bought tickets only to the Villa match, mainly because there would be a larger likelihood of most of the first team squad playing. I'm not saying that we'd end up seeing the entire first XI, but I'm sure that when Villa come to town in July, there would be more value for money. As for Benfica, they're probably there for a bit of sightseeing, and maybe some cheap duty-free booze and smokes.

2 miccoli hat tricks

naw, dont be suprised if Benfica loses

should be a scheidt match, I'll give it a try though...thing is the Libertadores is also on tonight

Great chance to see some of our youths

Moreira robbed the **** out of Dichio!!

Dichio got the start?

he did.

only watched glimpses of the match but both teams looked very stale...0-0 might say it all.

Dichio came on in the second half.

Moreira didn't rob him, it was a poor shot. He shot it straight at him.

A good match overall, and we can say we held a Champion's League team to a tie, even though it was a friendly.

A champions league team at probably half strength, but there were still some starter quality players on the squad to make it a good result for TFC.

really looking forward to seeing TFC with Cunningham in the line-up, we were really needing a proven goal-scorer. I can only see things getting better from here on..

What was the point of this friendly again?

Money from ticket sales, they knew it would be a sell-out regardless of inflated ticket prices :/

Cunny was at the game last night, sitting on the players' bench.

Apparently, he loved it!

Jeff Cunningham looked up at the party going on in the metal stands of BMO Field last night and could only shake his head in astonishment.
After travelling all day from Salt Lake City, the newest member of Toronto FC stepped out of the tunnel leading to the emerald pitch and immediately was blown away by the festivities and the excitement generated by the crowd. The songs. The chants. The multi-coloured banners. And all for a friendly against Portuguese giant Benfica.
"At that point, I just looked over to one of the boys and said: 'This is the atmosphere the game was meant to be played in,' " Cunningham said afterward.

http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/OtherSports/2007/05/24/4203990-sun.html

I wonder if he thought "holy crap, I see black people!" hehe... seriously though, that's awesome, hopefully the BMO atmosphere brings out the best in him. Much better place to play a soccer game than down there in Mormon-land.