What to know
- Toronto FC fans heavily booed the U.S. national anthem before Saturday night’s match against Chicago Fire at BMO Field, with the reaction heard at both the beginning and end of the anthem.
- The booing also happened before TFC’s Aug. 29 match against New York City FC. Head coach Robin Fraser, a former U.S. international, previously declined to comment on the politics, saying: “I’m a soccer coach. I’m not a politician.”
- The anthem protests come amid growing tensions between Canada and the U.S., with the reaction sparking debate online. Some called the booing “classless” and a “bad look for Canada,” while others said Canadians were right to protest U.S. policies under Donald Trump.
- Toronto FC ultimately tied Chicago Fire 4-4, extending its unbeaten/winning run to six matches.
The U.S. seems to have struck a nerve with Toronto FC fans, after the northern city made their feelings toward the neighbouring country known ahead of a match Saturday night by booing the U.S. national anthem.
Chicago Fire was met with significant booing from the BMO Field crowd, at the beginning of the U.S. anthem, as well as the end, according to a video on X.
TFC supporters also booed the U.S. anthem ahead of the Aug. 29 match against the New York City FC. At the time, the move garnered attention online after Toronto head coach Robin Fraser, a former U.S. international, was asked about the reaction following the game.
“I’m a soccer coach. I’m not a politician,” Fraser previously told the fan community and media outlet Waking the Red.
The consistent U.S. anthem disdain comes amid tensions between Canada and the United States, following months of tariff threats, trade negotiations, and increasingly strained political conversations between the two countries.
Read More
Online reaction
Many Canadians and U.S. residents shared their thoughts on the anthem protests on social media following the game, with some calling the move classless and others applauding the move.
“That’s sad. Canadians have become so pathetic,” one X user wrote.
“Bad look for Canada,” another X user agreed.
Some noted the change from supporting the U.S. anthem to disgracing it.
“You can thank Trump and MAGA for that,” one X user said. “Canadians use to sing along with that anthem. Many clips of Canadians singing when there were technical issues with the Mic.”
Others supported the booing, explaining the choice was for good reason.
“America needs to know that what they are doing is shameful and should be booed,” one X user wrote.
“Should have booed much louder,” another X user said.
Some others said not to bring politics to the football field.
“It makes me sick. I grew up listening to my peers cheer the star spangled banner,” one X user wrote. “Movies, sporting events, the world stage. We all sang it. The American spirit is a real thing, and it supersedes any sitting president. Have some f**king respect for the people, your neighbours.”
Toronto FC ultimately tied with Chicago Fire, finishing 4-4, and extending the club’s winning streak to six matches.
