The Toronto Tempo's inaugural season opener was a historic moment, a thrilling yet tumultuous debut for the WNBA's newest Canadian team. The game itself was a nail-biter, with the Tempo ultimately falling short to the Washington Mystics by a score of 68-65. But it was the atmosphere, the energy, and the sheer excitement of the crowd that truly stole the show.
The Coca-Cola Coliseum was packed to the rafters with 8,210 fans, a testament to the growing interest in women's basketball in Canada. The crowd was a vibrant sea of Tempo blue and Bordeaux, with fans donning special "Opening Night" T-shirts, creating an electric atmosphere. The fans' enthusiasm was infectious, with roars of approval for every big play, and a particularly loud boo for a flagrant foul called on Brittney Sykes.
Among the sea of fans was Taylor Naiman, a season-ticket holder who held a sign that read, "Here for History." Naiman's passion for the game and the moment was palpable, as she expressed the significance of the event for Toronto and Canada.
"This is a really special moment for us in Toronto," Naiman said. "It means a lot." Her enthusiasm was shared by Sasha Rennick, who attended the game with her daughters, Alex and Ana. Rennick's sign, "This girl has been waiting a lifetime for this," with an arrow pointing to a photo of her as a child, captured the sentiment of many fans.
"We’re a big basketball family," Rennick said. "I was at the first Raptors game with my dad, and now this is a full-circle moment being at the first Tempo WNBA Canada game. For these little girls growing up, to see these amazing athletes on the court, playing hard, I think we’re going to have amazing development of new players here in Canada."
The fans' energy impressed head coach Sandy Brondello, who joined the Tempo after three seasons on the New York Liberty bench. Despite the loss, she praised the fans' support and the team's effort.
"Sad that we didn’t win the game, didn’t close it out, but the fans were fantastic," Brondello said. "It was a very ugly game. Hopefully, they get way prettier than that as we move forward. Both teams have a lot of work to do, but we grounded out."
The Tempo's performance, while not perfect, was a testament to the team's potential and the fans' support. Guard Marina Mabrey led the team with 27 points, and Sykes scored the first three points in team history, finishing with 14 overall. The game was a nail-biter, with the Mystics clinching the win with two pairs of free throws by Shakira Austin with 10 seconds to go.
Despite the loss, the Tempo's debut was a resounding success, with fans and players alike celebrating the historic moment. The team's next game is at home against the Seattle Storm on Wednesday, with the fans' energy and support sure to be a driving force.
The Toronto Tempo's journey in the WNBA has only just begun, but the excitement and passion of the fans are a strong indicator of the team's future success and the growing popularity of women's basketball in Canada.
