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When it comes to New England Revolution rivals, Toronto FC doesn't exactly register. The team from the Great White North is trying to change that, however, by poking fun at "deflategate."
Always be on the lookout when travelling to New England. http://t.co/VLLcTY7dOY pic.twitter.com/70FaaRUgpK
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) May 14, 2015
Drawn up by Illustrator, designer and supporter Paul Marhue, Toronto FC posted a cartoon that jokes about the ball possibly being deflated this Saturday. This, of course, is a reference to the ongoing scandal about the Patriots that has led to quarterback Tom Brady being suspended for four games.
The topic is obviously a sensitive one for New England fans, so referencing it will surely garner a reaction. That said, is it a smart move for Toronto to post something like that?
As a team that has yet to make the playoffs since joining MLS in 2007, Toronto has now become a bit of a laughingstock. The struggles of big-name acquisitions like Gilberto and Jermain Defoe help define Toronto's comical past.
The misery has continued this season as the club has proven to be inconsistent, only recording back-to-back wins once so far. A losing streak of four straight is hardly a low-light compared to the 2-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo in front of a capacity crowd there to witness the re-opening of BMO Field. Simply put, things aren't going well for Toronto.
The same can be said in regards to off-the-field news as the club is currently under scrutiny after a fan shouted obscenities to a reporter live on air. It's a moment that the team and its supporters certainly want to forget.
Only eight games into the season, Toronto has plenty of time to turn things around, and they likely will on the strength of Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, and Sebastian Giovinco. With six teams from each conference making the playoffs this year, it's all but guaranteed that Toronto breaks the postseason hex. Still, a team with such a fragile past should be careful what they say. Remember, those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.