TFC...here we go.

Day -440. WorldCup2018

It was like MLS Cup Final 2016 all over again for Toronto FC in today's first home game of the season. After all the oh-so-close excitement of last year the expectations are high. But it's not just that. It's also a new level of energy in the support for the team this year, more widespread beyond the ever-present season ticket holders, often derided for supporting a dud team in a league of questionable quality. The feeling this year is "we almost did it last year, the city was behind you, and we know you can go one step further."

Life is in the way of me being one of those week-in week out supporters. If I could I would be at every home game. I had the bug but it really infected me last season. Today, those life events (which I also love) prevented me from watching until the last 20 minutes. And it looked like I was watching the December final all over again. A packed stadium, on a cold night, willing Toronto FC on to find a way though a packed Sporting Kansas defence. And, alas, again there was no way through. The loud crowd, trying to keep warm in the near freezing temperature, and the rain, (oh, the cold, cold rain) at night gave it a special feel. It felt like more than the fourth match of a long season. A 0-0 draw is not bad, and it maintains TFC'c unbeaten start to the season. There will be many more nights like this in September, October.....and more, we hope.

And on top of the wonderful trio of Bradley, Giovinco and Altidore it looks like the team will have another leader and player who can make a big difference. Victor Vazquez learned his trade at Barcelona's famed youth academy and was player of the year in Belgium when he played for Club Brugge. Now 30 years old, this could be seen as his long retirement party but the way he was all over the pitch today when I turned the TV on, looking to get things going it looks like he is here to use all his experience to help make this the even better season that TFC want.

I'm not looking back. This is the Final last December and I'm looking forward to more of the same.