Sports. All aboard the Toronto train wreck By Eric Wilkins, Staff Writer he MLS season is drawing to a close and it looks like the Vancouver Whitecaps will just sneak into the playoffs. Now, it would be all fine and dandy to write a happy little piece about how the Caps have greatly improved since last season, how the contributions of their new players have been key, and how it’s a miracle it took them this long to bench Joe Cannon, but that just wouldn’t do. Not after the Toronto FC have had such a miserable season, that is. The team has had a horrible go of it this year. Absolutely horrendous. One of tie worst seasons ever seen The No Hockey league NHL players keep busy during lockout By Elliot Chan, Contributor here was a moment in early September when the sun was shining, the school year was full of optimism, and hockey was the furthest thing from my mind. Now, as the days are getting shorter and the NHL lockout continues on, the absence of hockey can no longer be ignored. Desperate to find my fix, I resorted to the Internet and found a sketchy website *shiver in shameful disgust* streaming European 20 by MLS. TFC is last in the entire league, 19th place with a woeful 22 points from 32 games. That 22 points is comprised of five wins, seven draws, and 20 losses. Downright disgusting. Forgive me for any possible redundancy in my writing here, but it’s rather difficult not to gleefully indulge in Toronto hate, being a proud Vancouverite. With the exception of 2009, when the club missed out on the playoffs by a mere point, the team has consistently finished at, or near the bottom of the MLS. While injuries to Torsten Frings, Stefan Frei, Danny Koevermans, and a host of other players have significantly handicapped the squad this year, it’s:still unacceptable that tie - hockey. Over a hundred NHL players have crossed the frozen pond, abandoned the Players’ Association, and found themselves dressed as billboards with skates. At a glance, it seems as though the European leagues are the main benefactors of the lockout. After all, they did fetch such top players as Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Claude Giroux, Rick Nash, Jamie Benn, and most recently Tyler Seguin. But delving deeper and looking at some stats, it is strange seeing so few recognizable players on the top of the scoring list. It seems as though NHL players are taking a paid organization has yet to make the playoffs. TFC can’t hide behind the fact that they’re an expansion club anymore; six seasons in and that line has gotten a little old. Fan attendance has dwindled down to the 15,000 range, in stark contrast to the full houses of over 20,000 that used to be common occurrences. Maple Leaf Sport and Entertainment (MLSE), who owns Toronto FC, is getting restless as well. One has to wonder if MLSE has ever considered the fact that perhaps they are at fault? MLSE also owns the Toronto Raptors, the Toronto Marlies, and the Toronto Maple Laughs. The Marlies aside, and they barely count since they’re an AHL team, those teams add up to a whole lot of losing. vacation overseas and occasionally fitting some hockey games into their schedule. Some consider the motive to play abroad as disrespectful; one of those was long time CBC sports commentator, Don Cherry, who claimed on Twitter that it is understandable for Europeans to go play in their homeland, but millionaires should not go abroad and take jobs from players trying to make a living. Not all players jumped the fence. Those that stayed found comfort on Twitter. Pictures and tweets began surfacing of players exploring new hobbies and vocations. Toronto FC Richard Eckersley, Vancouver Whitecaps Russell Teibert Photo courtesy of Mark Blinch (REUTERS) The Raptors were 24 in the entire NBA last year, and the Laughs were tied for 25 in the NHL. MLSE may not be the ones playing out there, but they are the ones who put the product out there. It’s too much of a coincidence that the clubs they own can do so poorly. Someone Others simply showcased their neglected hockey gear. It’s clear that some players are dealing with the lockout better than others, but nobody wants the season to commence more than Pittsburgh Penguin’s captain, Sidney Crosby. After suffering ~ a concussion injury in 2010, Crosby has missed 101 regular season games. Considered — the best player in the league at the time of his injury, most hockey fans anticipate him to be back in full form. Needless to say, the lockout is just another unlucky addition to Crosby’s fortunate career. Because of that very reason, many expect Crosby to really some bad decisions. Either that, or it’s just impossible to be in Toronto and do well at sports. The Blue Jays are terrible too. But it’s probably a bit of both. And, just because I love to slag ‘em: What's the difference between the -Toronto Maple Leafs and a cigarette vending upstairs, whether it’s machine? The vending general manager hirings machine has Players. or otherwise, is making Zing! OOeweReeee ROS es . ,...siéézsiész mull over the decision. to play overseas, despite polar opinions from management and fans. Should the resolution of the lockout eat away the 2012-2013 season, expect to see more great players taking roles on foreign teams. As days fall off the calendar and negotiations on the collective bargaining agreement continues, the season opener has been pushed back to October 25, best- case scenario. Worst-case scenario is that I might have time to spend with my family, to finish my homework, and to pick up extra shifts at work. Yikes!