After a down year of not qualifying for the playoffs, Toronto FC found themselves once again in the MLS Final vs the Seattle Sounders. With Giovinco leaving in the Winter, I don’t think anyone thought Toronto would be good. Noone said they would be bad, but MLS Cup Finals good? Nah. Maybe they rode the high of the Toronto Raptors Championship.
And what a surprise it was. Unfortunately, they had a couple factors playing against them in the championship vs Seattle. One, Jozy Altidore was not fit to play that game. Two, Drake was probably wearing his TFC jersey that day. Three, because I predicted Seattle to win it all, the second year in a row I was correct.
A Pleasant Suprise
The Good: Alejandro Pozuelo and getting hot when it matters. Although the untimely injuries and really some not so great play, Toronto fought like hell and found themselves sneaking past everyone in the East for a rematch with Seattle. It also doesn’t hurt that Josef Martinez sucks at penalties.
The Bad: Injuries. You don’t need my word on it, just ask Jozy Altidore.
Toronto’s Spongebob Gif
The Michael Bradley fiasco is one of the strangest things I’ve seen. It’s not uncommon for professional sports franchises to miss manage player injuries. But that happens to the schmos of the roster. The athletes at the bottom of the barrel that are disposable get that shitty treatment. Not Michael Bradley. Not one of America’s most coveted athletes.
Former Captain America surgery puts a big dent in Toronto’s 2020 season. With him gone the first couple of months, I have zero ideas who will come in to be an effective 6. Fraser? Sure he can be a fill-in for a couple games, half a season. Yikes.
Offseason Moves
When your rock-solid midfielder is out half the year. Jozy Altidore’s quads are probably still in shambles. And then you go after a guy that is coming off a torn ACL. Is Toronto FC following the footsteps of the 2019 Yankees? Apart from the injuries, I actually like Piatti. If he can gain the trust of Vanney, enough to move De Leon out wide, I think Pozuelo Piatti and Altidore could work very nicely.
Starting XI
One of the stories coming in should be what formation TFC will dawn this season. Logic would say, your holding midfielder is out, play the 5 backline you’ve done so many times. I think, whilst I cannot trust Fraser, Vanney will. And with the same or even better play from Pozuelo and maybe a healthy Altidore, this lineup should hold it’s own until Bradley’s return.
Betting Odds
Simple play here. A team that has the 2nd best playoff experience, had a miny retool and will be returning to the playoffs. At +900 it’s a fair play, but one I would stay clear from. Like I mentioned, the talent is there. But so are the winded legs. Now it’s true, Toronto won’t have the Champions League to distract them, but let’s be honest, Toronto making the MLS Cup last year was a surprise. That won’t… listen to me, THAT WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN.
Best Watches
I don’t know if there are any great rivalries in the league today. And I mean… great rivalries. I suppose right now the must-watch rivalry has got to be El Traffico. But, I would not snooze on the Seattle-Toronto rivalry. I would almost go as far as claiming it a must-watch. Only the Galaxy and Revs have faced off in the finals as many times as Seattle-Toronto.
Unfortunately, I can only find the TFC broadcast for Canada. Probably could with a little more investigation, but I got to write 26 of these, fuck that.
Prediction
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFOracFClBg?start=19]
I think Toronto FC’s time as a championship contender is dwindling down. I cannot write them off this season, but if they don’t start making some major moves to rebuild, then this team might be headed towards some bottom 5 finishes. Greg Vanney will have 10 thousand different articles talking about why he should be hired. But he will not be let go. I like TFC to finish towards the bottom of the playoffs and will be bounced in round 1.
Hey! If you hated this blog! You’re gonna hate the next 25 blogs! Be sure to check them out as I count down each MLS team from worst to first for 2020.