TORONTO

He has made Toronto FC fans feel special.

He has met with supporters. He has made promises — and delivered.

That has most in Toronto’s soccer community hoping Tim Leiweke isn’t close to producing his final act.

“Tell (TFC) fans not to worry,” Leiweke told me in a text message Tuesday afternoon.

That was shortly after reports indicated the MLSE CEO might be transitioning out of Toronto in search of something new.

“I am focused on getting TFC in the playoffs,” Leiweke told me. “Just renewed my tickets for this year’s playoffs.”

Major League Soccer playoffs, that is, something the Reds have never tasted, a scenario Leiweke promised TFC supporters upon arriving last year.

So, when whispers of Leiweke’s impending departure — reports he has denied — began to trickle out, Toronto FC fans held their collective breath.

And held it.

And held it.

Until Leiweke eased nerves — at least for the time being — in a statement sent to select media.

“Any report stating that I am leaving MLSE is untrue,” Leiweke insisted. “We are completely focused on the seasons at hand and I am not thinking of anything else but that. I am proud of all that we have accomplished here over the past year, but we have much more to do.”

For TFC, at least, that means continuing plans to re-build BMO Field into a world-class venue. It means continuing to build Toronto FC into the biggest club, the biggest brand, in North America.

After all, this is a fanbase that has been through hell and back, one that finally looks at TFC’s top brass with admiration after Leiweke brought in general manager Tim Bezbatchenko to keep a sinking ship from capsizing.

The club’s stadium has gone from half-full to fully sold out in less than a year after MLSE’s new regime convinced the board to crack open the vault and dole out close to $100 million in contracts.

For that, this city’s soccer community feels relevant again in a market ruled by the Leafs, Jays and Raptors.

As the Toronto Sun sports cover read the day Leiweke introduced Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley as TFC’s newest high-priced players, Toronto FC fans can finally dream big after all they’ve been through.

“Tim is fully on the job,” a local source in the position to know told the Toronto Sun on Tuesday afternoon.

“When it is time for him to go, he will have set up TFC for long-term success.”

The Reds aren’t there yet. They’re still transitioning.

And there were fears here Tuesday that Leiweke’s reported early exit might put Toronto FC’s entire transformation into jeopardy.

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone arguing against that statement at this point.

Like he has made Toronto FC fans feel special, Leiweke has a special soft spot for the world’s greatest game.

He understands it. He speaks the language.

One can argue Leiweke has done more for MLS than anyone else heading into its 20th season.

“All of Toronto’s sports scene will be better off for the time he spent here,” the same source told me.

He has only just begun.

But some are already speaking in past tense.

And that, inevitably, will have some TFC fans worrying despite what Leiweke said.

AKINDELE THE FUTURE FOR CANADA

An Albertan is tearing up Major League Soccer.

And that has long-suffering Canadian fans hoping Tesho Akindele can provide a spark up front.

Born in Calgary, Akindele ripped up the NCAA before being drafted sixth overall by FC Dallas earlier this year.

After setting scoring records at the Colorado School of Mines, the 22-year-old has seven goals and an assist in 13 career MLS starts — something that has Canadian national team staff eager to call him into a camp.

With Canada set to meet Jamaica at BMO Field on Sept. 9, prevailing thought is head coach Benito Floro will summon Akindele early next month.

But a source in a position to know told the Toronto Sun not to expect Akindele up north just yet. He’s focused on getting Dallas into the post-season.

The Texans play at Real Salt Lake a few days before Canada hosts Jamaica.

Floro has, however, reached out to FC Dallas and is expecting Akindele in a future camp as long as the MLS playoffs don’t get in the way.

And that, for now, is good news seeing as Canada has scored just once from the run of play in its past 16 matches.