BMO Field hasn't been the fortress it once was this season. Despite being a major player in MLS with a payroll to back it up, Toronto FC's on-field performances have been far from what supporters anticipated.
The team languishes near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, positioned 14th of 15 with only 19 points from 25 matches. They sit just a single point above Inter Miami, with an alarming seven-point gap to New York City FC.
With only 20 goals in 25 matches, Toronto FC is the least productive team offensively in the Eastern Conference, just outdone by Colorado when looking at the entire league in terms of scoring issues. Defensively, they've allowed 36 goals, which, although too many, is comparable to the 33 conceded by Columbus Crew, who sit comfortingly in 5th thanks to their 48 goals scored.
Toronto FC has become an easy target for those looking for a flutter on soccer games during away matches, as they remain the sole team without a single away victory this season.
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So, what exactly is going wrong, and can the situation be rectified before the fan base starts dwindling? Let’s delve into it.
As previously mentioned, the 2023 MLS season has been dismal for Toronto FC. They finally ended a six-game goalless streak by scoring twice against Montreal, but even that wasn’t enough to secure any points.
Draws have been too frequent, with 10 in 25 games, contributing to only three victories all season. It’s been 12 matches since their last MLS win, a dry spell dating back to late May.
They were on a decent trajectory with 16 points, hinting at a potential playoff run if maintained. They tasted defeat just twice in their opening 10 games, but since then, it's all spiraled down.
Sean Johnson has been a stalwart in goal this year, keeping six clean sheets in 19 appearances. His save percentage of 69.9% is right on par with his career average. Both his goals-against average and save rate are an improvement from last year with NYCFC when he managed 14 shutouts.
While Johnson was on international duty with the US team, Greg Ranjit singh had a tough stint, conceding 10 goals across four games with a save rate of just 58.3%.
With Johnson sidelined due to a fractured hand for at least a month, his absence could deepen the current crisis unless the team's attackers step up and start finding the net.
Although conceding 36 goals isn’t overly dire compared to league averages, it’s too many for a squad struggling to generate any offensive momentum. Raoul Petretta, expected to be a standout given his Champions League outings with Basel, hasn’t lived up to expectations, leaving fans disappointed.
This disappointment is shared by fans who have been vocal about their discontent with performances from players like Aimé Mabika and Shane O'Neill, who seem outmatched at times.
While Mabika, at 25, lacks experience, needing guidance from a seasoned veteran, his displays have occasionally appeared disinterested when he should be striving to prove himself.
O’Neill’s extensive experience should have delivered better results. Toronto FC has lost all seven games he's started this season, allowing 17 goals, with an alarming 2.43 goals-per-game average compared to the team's 1.32 overall.
In his 12 appearances, Jonathan Osorio has chipped in significantly with five assists and a remarkable 86.6% passing accuracy. That five assists lead the team underscores the dearth of attacking prowess within the squad, despite his limited game time. Yet, there's concern about his speed diminishing in matches to come.
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty has shown flashes of promise on the wing despite his young age. Expectations should remain tempered, but as pressure mounts in future seasons, he'll need to channel it productively.
The focal issue for Toronto FC this season has been an ineffective attack that hasn’t delivered on its fundamental duties. Federico Bernardeschi leads with five goals in 21 matches, one being a rare direct corner kick and two in a recent match against Montreal. Perhaps the break provided him some necessary mental respite, but we won’t hold our breath.
Lorenzo Insigne, his fellow Italian, scored three in fewer matches but considering his prior near-century goal haul at Napoli, it’s a poor return. Perhaps he’s struggled to acclimate in Toronto, but his class as a player demands better output.
Italian flair notoriously comes with unpredictability, and for Toronto FC, this has been to their detriment, as Bernardeschi and Insigne have failed to showcase the quality expected of them, hampering the entire squad.
C.J. Sapong has found the net only once since joining from Nashville, where he scored 17 in 74 games. His proclivity to gift possession needlessly to opponents hasn’t aided their cause.
Since Greg Vanney's departure in December 2020, the managerial role has been in constant flux, with three managers and a current interim achieving only 23 wins out of 107 games.
Vanney left behind a win rate of 44.80%, while his successors have achieved a poor 21.49%. Terry Dunfield, yet to secure a point in his seven matches at the helm, highlights the urgent need for fresh leadership.
Though it's harsh to lay the blame solely on Dunfield, who inherited a disengaged roster, the stagnation during his tenure worries those supporting the club.
The next managerial appointment must be spot-on. Bringing in someone incapable of steadying the already sinking ship could irreparably damage Toronto FC. Whoever is leading the squad into 2024 must excel in motivation and draw more than the minimum effort from players.
There's talk of John Herdman, current Canada men’s national team manager, coming on board. Under his guidance since 2018, the national team has reached unprecedented heights.
Yet, managing a national squad differs greatly from steering a club. Selecting elite players for international games diverges from relying on a limited pool that, by this season’s measure, hasn’t been up to par.
Bobby Smyrniotis's name also circulates. His track record at Forge FC shines in the CPL, albeit in a smaller competitive pond. Nonetheless, his success warrants considering a leap to a bigger challenge.
Whether Toronto FC fits that bill remains uncertain, but their current situation suggests they aren’t attracting top candidates, and a proven Canadian manager might be their optimal route.
Toronto FC demands a transformative leader capable of reconstructing the team from the ground up. Board support is crucial to bring in players who will advance the franchise and score the vital goals.
October 21 marks the season finale against Orlando City. The team needs that day to arrive forthwith, allowing focus and redevelopment for 2024 and ensuring past failures don’t repeat.
A natural goal-scorer is notably absent. While the board rightly stresses caution in appointing a new manager, prolonged indecision risks deepening disillusionment.
The blunt truth is, fault lies everywhere. Players have underachieved, lacking motivation, and management hasn't elicited their best. Meanwhile, the board tolerates the status quo.
Is there hope for Toronto FC to make a comeback in 2024 and save their franchise?
Being a fan of Toronto FC in 2023 has been quite challenging. What could the team do to restore some hope before their supporters disappear?
It's been a turbulent season at BMO Field. Although Toronto FC is a major player in MLS with a budget to match, their on-field performance hasn't lived up to the supporters' expectations.
Currently, the team is languishing at 14th place out of 15 in the Eastern Conference, having secured a mere 19 points from 25 matches. They're only ahead of Inter Miami by a single point, while New York City is comfortably seven points clear of them.
