Adamo Marinelli
March 5, 2022
After one of their worst seasons in franchise history, where they finished 6-10-18 for only 28 points, finishing 13th in the Eastern Conference only above Cincinnatti FC, Toronto FC will look to have a much stronger campaign under new manager Michael Bradley, who has had immense success in the past as a manager and assistant manager in the MLS and on the international stage.
Toronto FC opened the season with a 1-1 on the road against FC Dallas. After conceding an early goal, TFC strengthened up defensively and limited their opponents’ offensive chances. Jonathan Osorio equalized for TFC in the 45th minute using their strong counterattack.
The team has seen many notable departures in the offseason, like forward Jozy Altidore, a franchise icon in Toronto, the second-highest goalscorer in team history and a crucial part of TFC’s treble-winning campaign in 2017, all-star Canadian right back Richie Lareya, center back Omar Gonzalez and forward Yeferson Soteldo who had a short, but solid career with TFC.
However, TFC was also busy in the transfer window, signing numerous talented players to help speed up their roster overhaul, like Italian national team superstar forward Lorenzo Insigne who was a critical part of Italy’s EURO 2020 championship and has had a very successful career with Napoli. He’s at the tail end of his prime but was the biggest signing in the offseason.
If TFC is can manage to be in or near a playoff position when Insigne arrives in July, which head coach Bob Bradley hopes to accomplish given his optimism on his team’s talent, TFC can be a scary opponent down the stretch.
Many European stars have made a seamless transition into the MLS, for others, it has been tough. Insigne, 30, cannot be asked to do too much given his rising age and the new playing environment.
In addition, they acquired Mexican international center back Carlos Salcedo, who is a talented, physical defender with tremendous speed, awareness, tackling, and passing skills. He will be a defensive anchor in the middle of the pitch with Chris Mavinga. Finally, they brought in Spanish striker Jesus Jimenez who will provide consistent offensive production, making up for the absence of Altidore. He is a goal-scoring machine and a creative playmaker. He’s a threat to any defense every time he’s on the pitch.
Toronto FC does have the talent in the midfield and upfront to score goals. With Osorio, Bradley, the newly added Jimenez, Pozuelo if he can regain his 2020 form and Jayden Nelson among others, they will be able to generate a handful of quality chances each match and score some goals. When Insigne joins the team in July, the offense will receive another huge boost.
Also, their defense has improved on paper, but we will have to see a significant improvement in the on-pitch product for the team to be considered a playoff team. They conceded 66 goals in 2021, the second-most in the league. They often found themselves trailing in games early and often giving up 15 goals in the first 15 minutes of matches and an MLS high 34 goals before halftime. When TFC managed to keep the game close, they would also repeatedly concede goals in the last 15 minutes of matches which would often cost them points.
Bradley emphasized the defense was a huge priority in the offseason. Bringing in Salcedo to work with Mavinga in the middle will be a lethal center-back duo - if Mavinga can stay consistent, something that proved difficult last season.
Given the departure of fullbacks Richie Lareya and Auro Alvaro, TFC will have to rely on two youngsters in Jacob Shaffelburg and Jahkeele Marshall Ruty to play on flanks. They are both new to the position, but Bradley said after the season opener he was pleased with the progress that they both made. They will have to contribute equally on offense and defense.
TFC manager Bob Bradley also confirmed they were trying to acquire Italian left-back Domenico Criscito from Serie A’s Genoa to solidify the defense and push either Shaffelburg or Marshall Ruty to a more attacking role.
TFC will have to be solid defensively the moment they lose possession and they have to keep their form to limit opponents’ breakthroughs. A significant improvement in their defensive play will lead to more offense through counter-attacks and more wins too.
Bradley has also not determined whether Alex Bono or Quentin Westberg will be the starting goalkeeper this year, though Bono did get the start on opening day.
Another determining factor is the youth on the squad. 13 of the 26 roster spots are held by players between the age of 17-24. How they develop, train, respond to adversity or challenges and how they perform will be a factor in the team’s success given many of the young players will be playing each match.
Finally, 2020 MLS MVP Alejandro Pozuelo had a difficult season in 2021, after dealing with a leg injury and some personal issues off the field. In 19 games, he scored only one goal and four assists, not even a year removed from his MVP campaign where he recorded nine goals, nine assists, 48 shots, 25 shots on target, and 71 key passes. He should be able to have a strong rebound season in 2022 with his skills and speed, but time will tell.
After the abysmal year they had in 2021, there is nowhere to go but up. TFC will see significant improvements on both sides of the ball and that will help them win more games. I believe they will finish 13-11-10 for 50 points and they will finish fifth in the East. Regardless of what happens, a new season of TFC football is upon us and promises to be exciting and interesting.
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