Posted by Robin Kilgore

Robin Kilgore
World Football Daily Correspondent

We've all heard what it's like to attend a Toronto FC home match. Since that first game in 2007, we were awed by how amazing this city has stood behind the football team. Every game was sold out. The noise bellowing from the supporters was so loud and constant, you wondered if they ever took a moment to relax and catch a breath.

Was this kind of support already happening for a new team? Around the rest of MLS, we were all a little bit jealous. Honestly though, we were also very excited. It was the kind of experience you wanted to be a part of. On a cool Tuesday night in August, I had the opportunity to attend a Toronto FC game and absorb the experience for myself.

The moment you walk into BMO Field, a smile radiates on your face. You can't help but love new stadiums, let alone new football specific stadiums. The color of the stands is a crisp blood red. The white maple leaf and BMO logo fragmented into the stands is a nice touch we haven't seen often in North America.

The panoramic view of Toronto is spectacular. On your left is a sprawling metropolis of tall glass buildings highlighted by the CN Tower (the spaceneedle-esque structure that points upwards from the heart of downtown). On your right you have a beautiful mixture of green and blue that is Lake Ontario and Toronto Island Park.

You revel in all this amazing scenery before a single fan has walked into the stadium. And when they do, they pack into that stadium like bees in a hive. In the south side tier are the Red Patch Boys, Tribal Rhythm Nation and U-Sector, 3 of the 4 official fan supporters groups. An hour before kickoff and the supporters begin marking their territory with all kinds of banners and flags that broadcast their support and fanaticism. The drummers are banging away as soon as they hit their seats. On the opposite side of the field sits the North End Elite, the 4th group that continues the loud boisterous noise to fend off any kind of calmness a visiting team may have when taking the field.

On this particular weekday evening, Toronto is playing its first Champions League game of the group stage. Though not a sellout, the attendance is still over 16,000. That number is high compared with many other MLS teams during a regular league match on the weekend.

Once the whistle blows, the atmosphere is even more electric. Every play and action is commented on by the masses. A foul on Dwayne De Rosorio and the fans voice their anger at the player. A foul by someone in red, and they antagonize the referee. That's football fans for you - always looking out for their own interests.

After three minutes, Toronto scores and the crowd goes ballistic. It's an amazing start to the game. Air cannons fire red and white paper, streamers are flung from fans in the back of the stand and the entire area is shaking. It's a chorus that's repeated when the team scores a second goal near the end of the first half. A massive red tide moves and bounces in sheer ecstasy. It's clear the team is being lifted by this impressive choir.

A brief halftime break and we start the second half. The home fans have had their cool down period and are ready for round two. The visiting team starts off playing better than before and good chances are squandered. The TFC fans aren't angels; they ridicule and heckle as loudly as the best of . The game gets heated between the two teams and eventually, yellow cards are being handed out by the referee. The fans react the way football fans the world over usually react at times like this: with heated debate and a few unkind words.

Near games end, the away team scores a goal and for once you can hear the visiting fans celebrate. So for just a moment, the stadium is a little quieter.

When the final whistle blows, more confetti is blasted upwards and the crowd is elated. A 2-1 Toronto victory. These players are heroes for the night. It was a well played contest and there's talk of it being the best game in the teams short history. The players applaud the fans throughout all corners of the pitch. As you walk out of the stadium, fans are still rejoicing. Yes, tonight was a victorious night.

The TFC Experience is something special. A strong team, devoted followers, and a bit of passion make this place a remarkable home for football.