This is the latest installment of We Are TFC. Every week, we’ll sit down with one of the Reds and help you get to know them a little bit better, on and off the field. This week, Devang Desai chats with Mark Bloom. The Georgia native is in his fourth season with the Reds. We hope you’ll enjoy this series and let us know which TFC players you’d like to see profiled in the future. 
Taking a look at your phone – what picture means the most to you and why?

BLOOM: This is one of favourite pictures. My daughter and I are in the same outfit, in Toronto FC colours which makes it even more special. She calls it's 'Daddy's shirt.' It's just special to me. 

How would people close to you describe you in one word?

BLOOM: Kind.

Why?

BLOOM: I feel like I’m a pretty nice guy. I like to help people out where I can and if anyone has a problem, they can come to me and I can help them out.

Favourite soccer player and why?

BLOOM: Kaka. When AC Milan won champions league, and he won Player of the Year, the guy was unstoppable and so fun to watch.

Is it cool playing against him now?

BLOOM: Yeah you still see glimpses of what he was and he still amazes you so it’s still pretty cool to see up close in person.

Try a jersey swap yet?

BLOOM: Noooooooo (laughs)

What’s your favourite pastime

BLOOM: I like sports in general. Any and all sports. Playing flag football, throwing the baseball or going to the beach. Playing sports on the beach is the best.

Who is the funniest player on the team?

BLOOM: I’d go with… Danny Lovitz.

This is like seven votes for Danny. What’s his secret?

BLOOM: He says the funniest things at the right times. He’s come out of his shell in the past two years or so – I always knew it because close to him from the beginning but now he’s got a bigger voice in the locker room so everyone else hears it too.

Any quirks or superstitions before a game?

BLOOM: I need to foam roll like crazy the night before and the day of. I have my own personal foam roller.

Is that more a health thing or you just have to do it?

BLOOM: It’s both. But like anything you do in the gym, it won’t give you that big of a difference on the day of or the day before, but in my head I’m like ‘I need to do this before I play.’

How about teammates, past or present?

BLOOM: I don’t know about weird. Definitely people that are super strict about the meal that they eat, that they eat the same meal every single time – which I can’t do, it’s unreal. It’s the same time, same thing, like “this is when I wake up, this is when I eat breakfast…” I kind of just go with the flow, as long as I’m well fed and rested.

Favourite movie?

BLOOM: Remember the Titans

Favourite music artist?

BLOOM: I really like Eric Clapton, he's one of my favourites.

How are you killing time during the off-season?

BLOOM: During the off-season I go home to Florida. My wife works full time so my daughter and I have been hanging out full-time. She’s exhausting but she’s the best thing ever. I’m in bed by like 8-9 o’clock and she’s not (laughs).

How has becoming a father changed how you are, on and off the field?

BLOOM: It kind of gives you this release of self. You become selfless – you don’t have a choice, you give up so much of yourself to serve your new born child. But at the same time, a lot of people would complain about that but never once has that ever been a complaint to give up something you love for her. It’s that sacrifice but it’s such a willing sacrifice. I think this goes beyond just your children, once you see it in action, you kind of give more of yourself to others. 

I’ve noticed Bloom’s army stretches far and wide. How cool is it that, we’re at Dallas and you have 7-8 family members there to watch? 

BLOOM: It’s crazy! Mostly thanks to my wife’s family because they have such a big family but I have family obviously in Atlanta and New York and then Orlando is close, so family can come. My wife has family in Dallas, Maine - the New England area, I don’t know, they’re just such great supporters of my career and they’re everywhere.

What’s your favourite moment with TFC so far?

BLOOM: My favourite moment personally, was probably my first start that I got with TFC. We were in New York and I wasn’t playing at all beforehand and I went on the trip because I thought I was playing with the reserve squad because there was a game the next day. I was in the pregame meeting and nobody has said a word to me, which is two hours before the game and I notice that it says I’m starting on the board. The Red Bulls at the time were top of the table and I was like “you got to be kidding me…”

I was so nervous for the next hour on the bus ride to the game, it was crazy. I ended up playing really well and started the rest of the season, so that was a pretty special moment for me. It’s like you want to start so bad... and when it finally comes you’re like “I’m not ready, I’m not ready!” (laughs)

How about when we clinched a playoff spot last year?

BLOOM: Yeah. Playoff spot was huge just because you could see the excitement, not just from the players but the coaching staff, the front office and everyone involved. It just means so much to the trainers, to the front office, to the staff, the kitchen staff. Everyone was just pumped to be a part of the playoffs so it’s cool to realize that what we do goes beyond our group or our team. Everybody working for the club is a big fan of the club.

Who are your heroes?

BLOOM: My parents for sure. They both taught me different things but crucial things. My mom was the story of coming from nothing and following her dream. She became a lawyer and then a judge – that was her dream. She had no money and she worked her way through school and everyone kept saying she couldn’t do it or she should just be a secretary but she said no, she had a dream and I feel like that’s like my story. Didn’t go to a big college, playing for the USL for a bit and then coming here. My dad as well, great work ethic and just a great leader, great motivator and just a loving guy. Both of them combined have really helped me grow as a person.

Not bad people to look up to when you became a parent yourself... 

BLOOM: Exactly.

What is your ultimate goal in life?

BLOOM: Ultimate goal is just to have a big happy family where my kids actually enjoy spending time with me and my wife and then they can go off and live their lives. Then they come back and we can all live together and create memories that way.

When I say Toronto, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?

BLOOM: Just everything. The team. Meaning so much to me for my career but also the city is just amazing, it’s nothing of what I expected. I’m just so excited to call it home. 

Let us know who you would like to see featured in the next We Are TFC!