As SL Benfica are coming off their third consecutive year as Champions in the Portuguese Liga NOS, their pre-season 2016/17 fixtures have not yet been announced. Last summer SL Benfica participated in the North American International's Cup which took them to Toronto, Newark, Connecticut, and Mexico in which SL Benfica lost the annual Eusébio Cup 3-0 to Monterrey.
The Eusébio Cup is an annual single match event in which SL Benfica invite an opponent outside of the Portuguese Liga to play for the cup that honours not only SL Benfica's most important player of all time but one of the best ever players to ever play the game Eusebio da Silva Ferreira. The EusébioCup was innaugurated in 2008 and has featured such teams as; Internazionale, AC Mian, Tottenham, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Sao Paulo, Ajax, and Monterrey. The 2015 edition that was played in front 51, 000 + at the Estadio BBVA Bancomer in Monterrey, Mexico was deemed a success for both clubs considering it was SL Benfica's first Eusébio Cup outside of Portugal.
Although there have been speculations that this year's edition may be once again in Portugal, there are many SL Benfica fans (Luso Canadians or Portuguese Canadians) who would love the opportunity to see The Eagles return to North America yet again for a pre-season fixture. The Eusébio Cup should be held this July or August at either BMO Field or the Rogers Centre in Toronto and there would be several positive outcomes and incentives for both teams
1) In a year in which Toronto FC is celebrating a decade as a professional team in the MLS and the Toronto Metro Croatia's were NASL champions during the 1975/76 season, there is a lot to celebrate from a Toronto Soccer perspective. The 1975/76 Toronto Metro Croatia team championship winning team included 16 goals in 21 appearances from Eusébio.
2) Toronto FC and SL Benfica can field a B squad and if it is the only North American date for SL Benfica, both teams financially will make a profit and most likely be able to fill BMO, and possibly the Rogers Centre with SL Benfica fans coming from all over Ontario, Quebec, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and possibly across the world to see this once in a lifetime championship match.
3) If the game is held at BMO Field, during the 24th minute the always crowd pleasing "Danny Dichio" chant will be followed up in the 71st minute by a "Eusébio chant". Not only a hero for SL Benfica, but for the Toronto Metro Croatia. Eusébio was 71 when he passed on January 5, 2014 but he was also known to score in the 71st minute of several games (he would also score throughout minutes 1-90).
4) A Toronto FC vs SL Benfica game would increase merchandise sales especially if there are limited edition jersey and scarves on sale during match day. Also, alcohol consumption will definitely rise within those few hours of game time only creating more profit for such sponsors as Labatt's who are evident throughout BMO Field and Rogers Centre.
5) Both teams have such strong supporter's groups that it would hopefully create more exposure to such outlets that cover the teams. "Toronto FC Pitchside" and "Benfica Podcast" would hopefully be a part of this event. Such bars as; "Shoeless Joe's" may have a meet and greet with current or former Toronto FC players such as; Tosten Frings, Danny Dichio, and of course Sebastien Giovinco whereas Toronto's "Casa do Benfica" can hopefully arrange a meet and greet with Pablo Aimar, Luisao, and of course my favourite Pedro Mantorras.
There are several other reasons as to why having this Eusébio Cup in Toronto this year would be ideal for everyone. The reality is unfortunately Toronto FC in it's ten year existence has been unable to bring home silverware for their fans. The CSA is honouring success in Toronto's Soccer history by paying homage to The Toronto Blizzard, Toronto Metro Croatia, and several other teams throughout Toronto FC 2016 seasons. The only successful Toronto team was the Toronto Metro Croatia featuring Eusébio and not to undervalue TFC and many others but this is factual.
In honour of the great Eusébio of Benfica, Portugal, and Toronto, the CSA should join forces with SL Benfica and honour this legend of Soccer by building a statute outside of BMO Field, so Toronto fans and Portuguese fans, and basically anyone who visits BMO can have an opportunity to take pictures and pay homage to an icon who made winning in Toronto a reality during the 1975/76 NASL season.
Prior to joining the Toronto Metro Croatia in 1975, Eusébio had a brief stint with the Boston Minutemen where he scored 2 goals in 7 NASL matches. Throughout Massachusetts there is a huge Portuguese community almost as big as the one in Toronto, and New Jersey. Eusebio playing in Boston had such an impact on the community that a few decades later local Boston businessman Victor Batista erected a statute of Eusébio outside of Foxborough stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. For Battista it;s the story of a wealthy Benfica fan being able to invest and create something for his family and the Benfica/ Portuguese community to enjoy. There was no silverware for Boston during the handful of games Eusébiowore a Minuteman jersey just the prestige of having "The Black Panther" play in Boston, Eusébio's NASL success story was scoring the winning goal during the 1976 Soccer Bowl and proclaiming The Toronto Metro Croatia the NASL Champions.
Whether or not Giovinco and company can bring Toronto FC a long overdue MLS title after a ten year existence it is important that as Toronto fans we look at our history and celebrate our victories
from the past before we can celebrate future victories.
“Our past is
defined by how we came to be, and our future is defined by how well we
adapt.”
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