Fans of Toronto FC show their during a game between the New England Revolution and the Toronto FC at Gillette Stadium on April 10, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)Jim Rogash/Getty Images
While one Toronto team returns home this week to well-deserved acclaim, its soccer-playing neighbour limps back into town with its tail between its legs. In stark contrast to the happy-go-lucky Blue Jays and their fans, dark clouds are swirling over BMO Field these days after back-to-back road losses to start the season. Still, Thursday's home-opener gives fans the chance to check out the $3.5-million patch of lush green grass that was seen as vital to the team's long-term development and success. Shame Toronto FC didn't save some of that money for investing in a team worthy of playing on it.
The great outdoors
Nice to see another Major League Baseball team has seen the light. After two World Series championships and five division titles, the Minnesota Twins have decided to lift the lid on the party, abandoning the stuffy confines of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in favour of the bright and breezy Target Field, where they'll play their home opener tonight. The move also leaves just two teams playing on artificial turf, and while Tampa Bay is trying to find a way to get out of Tropicana Field, Toronto has no plans to abandon Rogers Centre, leaving Jays fans free to soak up the artificial light and sterile atmosphere for a while longer.
Suns set to rise once again
After a one-year hiatus, Steve Nash will lead his Phoenix Suns back into the NBA playoffs later this week in search of that elusive first championship ring. While the cast around him has operated on a carousel basis over the last few years, the two-time NBA most valuable player has kept his team together, ably abetted by a big year from forward Amar'e Stoudemire, and will be looking to make some noise in the first round. Of course, they could quickly be silenced by a meeting with the San Antonio Spurs, who have owned Nash and the Suns at this point of the season in recent years, sending them home in three of their last four trips to the playoffs.
Grudge match
Already on life support, Manchester United's hopes of clinging to their English Premier League crown will likely come down to Saturday's encounter with cross-town neighbour City. Wayne Rooney's absence of late has severely tested the Red Devils' ability to find the back of the net, while City are simply scoring for fun at the moment as they chase down that coveted fourth and final Champions League berth. Given that United's goalless draw with Blackburn yesterday put Chelsea in the driving seat for the title, Sir Alex Ferguson's men can ill afford another slipup at Eastlands, but in light of two dramatic losses to their rivals already this season, City are unlikely to oblige.
Paul Attfield