Tue 22 July 2014, 16:55
Tottenham HotspurPaul Stalteri reckons the soccer buzz is back in Toronto – and tells us Spurs fans will love the city.
And who better to give us a guide to Toronto than our popular former full-back, a Canadian international born and bred in nearby Etobicoke and capped 84 times by his country.
We take on rejuvenated Toronto FC in the second leg of our Tour of North America at BMO Field on Wednesday night.
Toronto are currently third in the MLS's Eastern Conference and on target to make the play-offs for the first time.
“Toronto is a big metropolitan city, not as big as London, but it’s got everything - great restaurants, pubs, nightlife and lots to do,” said Paul, who made 56 appearances for us between 2005-2008.
“It’s a great place to be in the summer. The stadium is down on the water, just off the lake. I’m assuming it will be full and I’m sure everyone from Spurs will have a great time.
“There is a big buzz around in the city. The club started off in the first two or three years with huge support and that really set the tone for the league, there was no team like Toronto and the new clubs that came in after that followed suit.
“In the last two or three years it started to dwindle a little but with Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley, Julio Cesar, they’ve signed big names and the buzz is definitely back.
“The fans are back into it, I’ve been to a couple of games already and the fans will have a great time. In the summer especially, Toronto is a fantastic city.”
Paul, always remembered for his last-minute winner at West Ham in March, 2007, was back at the Lane for Ledley King’s Testimonial in May, and he told us what he’s up to now.
“I’m coaching the Under-15 national team, plus some other coaching in the national team programme. I coach my kids as well! That’s keeping me busy, really enjoying it. It’s great to be home, we’ve been back a couple of years now.”
