Toronto FC: Top 10 matches in club history

5. Toronto FC 2-2 LA Galaxy, March 7, 2012

Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan and David Beckham against one of the worst MLS teams of all time? Sounds like a mismatch. But add in nearly 50,000 TFC supporters who packed the Rogers Centre and now you’re talking about a game. In what amounted to the greatest home atmosphere any TFC match has ever been played in, the Reds battled admirably to a 2-2 draw.

However, the result wasn’t really the reason this match made the list, nor was it the star power that this fixture contained; it was the sheer intimidation factor that TFC fans brought to the table that has this match up there with the greats.

On the night of March 7, 2012, all of that negative energy surrounding the club was channelled into creating one of the most uncomfortable atmospheres North America has ever seen. Streamers littered the space between the goal and the stands. Banners and signs lined the facades of the lower deck. Projectiles rained down from the upper levels of the stadium. Someone even threw a beer can at Beckham while he was lining up to take a corner.

Yes, some of the sightlines were less than optimal and yes, the artificial surface was not good, however, on this night, none of that mattered. For one night in March, the Rogers Centre was painted red. TFC would win the return leg in Carson 2-1 and advance to face Santos Laguna in the CCL semifinals. The less said about that the better. Let’s just reflect positively on what was an amazing atmosphere.