Flip side: Loud fans making their presence known by being silent:

The once-happy marriage between Toronto FC management and thousands of its fans is being strained to the point of a possible divorce. But the target of much of the ire, general manager Mo Johnston, received a vote of confidence from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., yesterday. A revolt from three of the main supporters clubs came to a head during Saturday's third straight team loss, underlining discontent about an expensive friendly with Real Madrid, the turf problems at BMO Field and the perceived lack of progress by Johnston in his third year with the club. Top officials from the Red Patch Boys, North End Elite and U Sector maintain they're still behind the players -- prompting them to call a Friday meeting with coach Chris Cummins and team captain Jim Brennan to tip them about Saturday's protest and assure them the action was levelled at management. In attendance on Friday was director of business operations Paul Beirne, who'd helped foster the strong ties with an estimated 16,000 season-ticket holders since 2007, but listened to the three groups' complaints. On Saturday, most of the 500-strong Red Patch Boys didn't wear team colours, were noticably absent from their loud south stands perch at the start of the game, displayed a huge banner mocking MLSEL's losing sports properties and staged a Gate 3 protest after the 2-1 defeat to Los Angeles. The smaller NEE club, joined the RPB in hiding their red gear and walked out en masse after the national anthems. A mix of U Sector also participated in both actions.

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