TORONTO

If you’re reading this space, you already know.

Toronto FC undoubtedly has one of the best players in the Americas.

You also know the Reds are, arguably, the best team in the Eastern Conference, a legitimate threat to make MLS Cup XXI after topping New England 4-1 Saturday night for their fourth straight win.

The problem, of course, is that so many don’t know or don’t want to know. Be it ignorance, stubbornness or something more sinister, the Reds aren’t receiving the attention they deserve, given what’s happening at BMO Field.

In comparison, we know every time Auston Matthews passes gas. Round-the-clock newscasts and mainstream outlets will give us up-to-date analysis on when Jose Bautista is clipping his toe nails.

And that’s fine. The Leafs and Jays have history. They’re woven into the fabric of one of the best sports markets in North America. Of course they’re going to be top of mind. But there’s room for more.

“We feel like this is the most exciting venue to come to to watch a sporting even in Toronto,” TFC coach Greg Vanney said. “We feel like we’re putting on a good show for people. We feel it’s only going to get better and there are bigger things in front of us. You can either become a part of it and join in and enjoy the excitement or you can miss out. For us, we enjoy the fans we have. Those who don’t want to come or aren’t yet sold, that’s their loss at this point.”

LARSON SUNDAY MORNINGS ON 88.9 FM TALKING TORONTO FC

Truth be told, Toronto FC — MLSE, you could say — only has itself to blame for its relatively small market share at the moment. The Reds garnered mass amounts of attention in their inaugural season.

But they failed to capitalize on it, making a never-ending series of bad decisions that saw interest plummet. In that sense, you can hardly blame sportscasters and major columnists for largely ignoring them. Until now.

Never mind the fact the Reds are averaging 27,000-plus at BMO Field, they have the greatest player Major League Soccer has ever seen — a genuine talent a lot of top teams in the world covet.

Just look at the goals Sebastian Giovinco scored Saturday night. His opener against the New England Revolution, a one-time laser beam across his body from a tight angle, was an elite striker’s goal.

The Italian is consistently one-upping himself. The Atomic Ant’s second arrived minutes later when his curler form the corner of the box beat an outstretched Bobby Shuttleworth before dipping under the crossbar.

It was one of those goals that causes the everyone to look around in bewilderment. As if to ask: ‘Did that actually just happen?’ If you’ve been here, though, you know it has been happening for the better part of two seasons.

A late penalty kick gave Giovinco his fourth career MLS hat trick, one off the all-time league record — in less than two full seasons.

“To get the attention of people who don’t follow football, to make it the top story, we have to do bigger things,” Jonathan Osorio said. “We have to be a championship team and go far in the playoffs. This city rides off things like that.”

Unlike previous seasons — well, the past decade, actually — the Reds are winning. It will be a disappointment if they don’t finish top-two in the East and earn a home playoff match — the first ever at BMO Field.

Keep in mind we haven’t yet seen the Reds at their best. They’re still without key players — including their first-choice ’keeper and Canadian international Will Johnson. Fully healthy, the Reds are one of the best sides in the league.

They just got done toying with three solid sides despite missing players and playing on short rest. The New England Revolution didn’t play midweek. Still, Vanney had TFC supremely organized in a stingy 5-3-2 Saturday night.

“We can all feel it coming together in a big way,” Michael Bradley added. “Having said that, everybody has to understand the margins are small. The second we think we’re better than we are … we’re going to get punished.”

As representatives of this city, the Reds — after so many years of disgraceful performances and management — finally deserve to be taken seriously. Those who blame lagging TV viewership are just making excuses at this point.

You can’t ignore — at least not to the current extent — 27,000 fans in a gorgeous stadium supporting what has become a marquee MLS franchise. To do it simply is dishonest. It’s lazy. It’s unfair given the talent and effort on display.

It’s funny how the claws came out when the Reds were a joke.

Where are those same parakeets now that times are pretty good?