Even though we’ve been privy to an amazing amount of behind the scenes footage from this season, we’re still treated to new footage and moments in episode nine that we haven’t seen before.
We start with Tim Leiweke’s speech to the entire TFC team and staff. It was cool to see how Tim addresses them and listening to him talk pumped me up, so much so that I felt like strapping on a pair of cleats and jumping on the pitch.
It was nice to look back on the road trip that started this season. It’s funny the guy who summed it up the best was Josh Williams considering he wasn’t with the squad to start the year. Often road trips are perceived as such a negative thing, but it was interesting to hear it as a positive; that it could be a means of forging unity within a team, especially one with a so many new faces.
Athletes always claim to love the city they play for, but when I hear Jozy Altidore describe living in Toronto as pure bliss, it gives me little doubt the ‘Beast’ appreciates the ‘Beauty’ in our city. The fans in this city like to make sure that the players know they are appreciated. The thank you note Jonathan Osorio received at the end of the season was an excellent example of this. Hearing guys like Morrow and Williams talk about the fans was incredibly touching.
We’re fortunate to have such a short offseason each year. Hearing management and players talk about what they’re looking forward to next year helps me realize 2016 is right around the corner. Side note…. that closing credit sequence?! So so good.
BAR OF SOAP AWARD: I knew Michael Bradley was intense, and I knew he was a leader, but getting to see him address the team before multiple games in this episode was a really neat look.
HOUSE OF PAIN MOMENT: Jump around. That’s what Jonathan Osorio did with the supporters, and it was an amazing moment to watch. What I really want to see is someone create a mash up of House of Pain’s Jump Around to Oso’s celebration. Anyone up to the task?
QUOTE OF THE SHOW: “First game in MLS, first victory, man!” – Damien Perquis. It’s a pretty innocuous quote if you read it, but hearing the sing-songy way Perquis delivers it after winning the season opener in Vancouver is captivating. Perquis has been one of my favorite players to watch this season on the field and in this show, he doesn’t hold anything back.
