Year founded: 2005.
First season in MLS: 2007.
Stadium: BMO Field, Toronto, ON
Honors: MLS Cup (2017), Canadian Championship (2009-12, 2016-18, 2020), Supporters' Shield (2017).
2023 highlights: Toronto begin the season with two road games, at D.C. United and Atlanta United, before facing Columbus Crew and Inter Miami in back-to-back home games. The month of April appears tough, with trips to Nashville and last year's Eastern Conference champions Philadelphia Union, while home games against Charlotte, Atlanta, and NYCFC should give fans an early sense of what lies in store. (The Reds will also face NYCFC in the Leagues Cup, as well as Atlas). Four of the last six regular season games are away from BMO Field, though Decision Day Sunday will be on home soil, against Orlando City SC.
Head Coach: Bob Bradley.
Players to watch: Federico Bernardeschi, Adama Diomande, Lorenzo Insigne.
Players in: | Players out: |
Adama Diomande (waivers) Kobe Franklin (Homegrown signing) Matt Hedges (free agent) Sean Johnson (free agent) Jonathan Osorio (re-signed as free agent after being out of contract) Raoul Petretta (transfer from Kasimpasa Spor Kulübü) Tomás Romero (Re-Entry Draft) Brandon Servania (trade from FC Dallas) Víctor Vázquez (Re-Entry Draft) | Ifunanyachi Achara (option declined) Auro Jr. (option to be decided) Alex Bono (out of contract) Domenico Criscito (retired) Doneil Henry (out of contract) Jesús Jiménez (traded to FC Dallas) Chris Mavinga (option declined) Jayden Nelson (transfer to Rosenborg BK) Noble Okello (out of contract) Luca Petrasso (trade to Orlando) Jacob Shaffelburg (trade to Nashville) Quentin Westberg (out of contract) |
2022 summary: Points-wise, Toronto FC made a modest improvement on their 2021 numbers, securing 34 points over the paltry 28 managed two seasons ago, but they finished in the same lowly 13th position in the Eastern Conference, and missed out on back-to-back postseasons for the first time since 2014. The 2017 MLS Cup champions gave up 66 goals last term, equaling the record high set in 2021. They again lost 18 of their 34 games, as had been the case 12 months earlier. This is a franchise which failed to reach the postseason in its first eight attempts in MLS, before reaching three Championship games in four seasons (2016-2019). Back-to-back failures the last two seasons has given ownership and fanbase something of a wake-up call. Jonathan Osorio and Jesus Jimenez both bagged a team-high nine goals apiece, while summer signings Federico Bernardeschi (8) and Lorenzo Insigne (6) impressed from just 13 and 11 appearances respectively.
Facts and Stats: March 21st will mark the 25th anniversary of Bob Bradley's first game in charge as an MLS head coach. He oversaw Chicago Fire's 2-0 win at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale against Miami Fusion, with goals from Roman Kosecki and Ritchie Kotschau.
Milestones in 2023: Toronto begin the season just five goals away from 700 in Major League Soccer. They begin with two games on the road, which they will hope to chip away at the 12 goals required for 300 away from home. Veteran head coach Bob Bradley, who turns 65 on March 3rd, is nine wins away from 200 as a head coach.