MLS Preview: Toronto FC

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Hooligan Soccer

·21 de febrero de 2025

MLS Preview: Toronto FC

Club History

The MLS is never one to leave a market untapped, and in late 2005 announced that Toronto would be the next franchise. This marked the league’s first entity outside of the United States, and expanded the league to a lucky 13 teams, and made Toronto the 13th franchise (though that number can vary whether or not you count the failed expansions Miami Fusion and Chivas USA).

The Reds (as they are known) took eight years to qualify for their first postseason appearance, in 2015. The next four years, however, saw them morph into a real force in the league. They reached the MLS Cup final in 2016, losing at home to the Seattle Sounders. In 2017 they won the domestic treble: a Supporters Shield, MLS Cup and Open Cup. They once again lost the MLS Cup final to the Sounders in 2019, this time in Seattle. Since 2020, they have not made a postseason appearance. For a team rumored to have the highest payroll in the MLS, this is an unacceptable situation.

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The club is ineligible to participate in the US Open Cup, but does play in the Canadian Championship. They have won that trophy a total of eight times since it began in 2008, and have been runners-up an additional six times. Both are records.

Ownership

The Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Company (MLSE) owns Toronto FC, as well as other Toronto-based franchises in the NHL (Maple Leafs), NBA (Raptors) and CFL (Argonauts). They also own the lower-division arms of those clubs as well. They are the largest sports & entertainment company in Canada.

Significant Players

Surprise! All of these were involved in the “golden era” of Toronto soccer.

Sebastian Giovinco (Italy) – Forward Transferred from Juventus in 2015. His four-year spell at the club lasted from 2015-2018. His 134 contributions (83 goals; 51 assists) came over 142 games. Won the MLS MVP, Golden Boot and Newcomer of the Year in 2015.
Jozy Altidore (United States) – Forward The other half of the “golden age” of Toronto, Altidore played with the club from 2015-2021 and had 105 contributions (79 goals; 26 assists). Won the 2017 MLS Cup MVP.
Michael Bradley (United States) – Midfielder Second longest-tenured player on the team, with 308 appearances. Former team captain.
Jonathan Osorio (Canada) – Midfielder A homegrown talent who has spent his entire professional career with Toronto (since 2013). Unsurprisingly, has the most appearances (370). Also won the CONCACAF Champions League Golden Boot in 2018. Current team captain.

Other Facts

They have won the Wooden Spoon (for worst overall record) three times: 2007, 2012 and 2023.
The club was valued at $690M in 2023, making it sixth most valuable in the MLS (though we do not see how…)
As a result of so many Canadian Championship wins, they have participated in numerous CONCACAF Champions League campaigns. They were runners-up in 2018.
Have played every home game at BMO Field.
Of their 15 coaches (including interim), only two have managed to produce more wins than losses: Greg Vanney (2014-2020) and Chris Cummins (interim 6 mos. 2009).

2024 Season Recap

11W – 4D – 19L for 37 points. Finished 11th in the Eastern Conference; 22nd overall.
Nothing to see here, folks. Move on.

Who to Watch 2025

Let’s be blunt… for a team as bad as Toronto were last year, the lack of movement in the transfer market is a little alarming. The fact they could not off-load Lorenzo Insigne, a DP costing them $15M a year who has only 31 contributions (18 goals; 13 assists) in 63 games, is a bad sign. Maybe Granada-loanee Theo Corbeanu can be a target? Doubtful. Head coach Robin Fraser will have his hands full and if he’s still on the sideline when the season ends that will be a victory.