TFC architect talks goals, family allegiance and the meaning of success
Tim Bezbatchenko is happy to let his team do the talking. Toronto FC’s general manager, lauded as a linchpin of the club’s turnaround since his arrival in 2013, would rather focus on his club’s battle with the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference final for a berth in the MLS Cup. But before the two-leg showdown opened with a 0-0 standoff, the Ohio-raised 36year-old took some time to talk about last year’s final, non-negotiables and his family’s rooting interest — it’s “complicated.”
Let me take you back to Dec. 11, 2016. What was the day after Toronto’s MLS Cup loss like?
I still felt numb. Sort of this “I can’t believe we got so close” mixed with a heavy dose of pride. I was very proud of the group and of (TFC coach Greg Vanney) and the staff for playing our brand of football and for really just laying it all out there. In sports, when you step onto the field, it’s all about competing and competition. For me, I felt like the guys laid it all out there and there was nothing else to give. On that day, it didn’t work. We didn’t come out on top, but I felt like the next day was a mix of numbness, of being proud. And then I would say excitement, because it’s the first time since I’ve been here and this leadership group, including Greg, has been here where we knew we had something that we could build on, and for the foreseeable future — not just a oneyear flash in the pan.
How quickly did your thoughts turn to redemption?
I think the greatest thing about the people that work for this club — including and certainly the players — is people are trying to realize their potential, as players and as people. This year wasn’t about redemption of something that’s lost. We’re always thinking forward. We’re always thinking about the next thing and the next thing, and it’s my job to think about the thing beyond even the month, the game, the year. But this group of people are just like, “We have the ability to achieve great things, so let’s go do that.” That motivates us. To some degree it’s like, “We know we can do it, so let’s go do it because of what happened last year.” But it’s not like getting something that’s been taken from us. I would never describe it as that. I think it goes back to our group’s (mentality). Whenever the moment happens — the game, the play, the call from the ref, if it doesn’t go our way — everyone’s like, “Get on with it.” That’s the way the world works. Didn’t get the call, didn’t get the play, didn’t make the game? What’s next? What is next?
Do you have a defining moment from this past season?
I’d go back to winning the Canadian championship. I think any time you can win trophies, I think that sort of galvanizes the group. You say, “Okay, we’ve done this, let’s do it again.” You start to crave this appetite for winning and winning trophies. I wouldn’t say it’s a turning point in any way, but that was one of the first goals that we achieved, that the team set out to do. Also, the six games in 21 days (in May). Going on the road with a number of injuries plus using the depth of our roster. That was around the same time (as the Canadian championship), because those games were all wrapped in together. Guys stepped up, assumed roles and took positions that maybe they hadn’t before within the team and succeeded.
TFC has come a long way in Toronto’s sports market. How do you grow going forward?
In so many ways. First, the roster’s always evolving . . . You would love for time to freeze and to keep a group together for a long period of time. It’s not necessarily always about improving, but how you do maintain? We’re always looking to improve the roster, but at the same time there’s certain things you want to maintain. Culture’s another one.
We’re always trying to make sure that we’re maintaining our identity and our culture. In terms of the team, I wouldn’t say anything on the field of play. I think we’re tactically flexible. . . . The next step of how we’re going to evolve as a club is to get those young Canadians (coming through our academy and TFC II) into the first team over the next three years, because we have a lot of talented players juxtaposed against this (first) team that has had a lot of success right now. There’s still a gap, so how do you marry the two?
If this team doesn’t win the MLS Cup, do you still consider the season a success? Yes. Incomplete, but a success.
I hear there are Bezbatchenko family members in and around Columbus. How do allegiances split when TFC and the Crew go head to head?
It’s a funny story. My mom, it took her a while to put on red even though it’s her favourite colour. She loves the Crew. They’re day-one season-ticket holders . . . they go to every game. But when it comes to games like this, they’re going to support their son. I got a text from my mom the other day when she heard that I told people about this colour-wearing situation and she says, “Honey, you know I’m going to support you and I want TFC to win, but it is complicated.”