Toronto FC’s brain trust has a lot of work to do this winter after a disastrous 2023 MLS season.  Club president Bill Manning, GM Jason Hernandez and coach John Herdman have to come together quickly and find ways to rebuild a roster that requires a major shakeup and is in need of new on-field leadership following the retirement of former captain Michael Bradley.  What should be at the top of their priority list?  Here’s a look…  ..read more

As far as retirement celebrations go, they don't come much better than the one held for Christine Sinclair. Quinn’s first-half goal was the difference for Canada in a 1-0 victory over Australia on Tuesday in the finale of a two-game friendly series between the nations that served as Sinclair’s international retirement match.  A crowd of 48,112 fans was on hand at Vancouver’s BC Place which was officially rechristened Christine Sinclair Place for this historic game that marked the end of an era and paid tribute to one of the greatest Canadian athletes of all time. The contest also set an ..read more

Canada 1 (Quinn 40’), Australia 0 Sinclair started, played 58 minutes in her farewell match  Canada finished 2023 with 7 wins, 5 losses and 1 draw The Canadian women’s team honoured Christine Sinclair in the best possible fashion: With a win.  Quinn’s first-half goal proved decisive for Canada in a 1-0 victory over Australia on Tuesday in the finale of a two-game friendly series between the nations that served as Sinclair’s international retirement match.  A crowd of 48,112 fans was on hand at Vancouver’s BC Place which was officially rechristened Christine Sinclair Place for ..read more

Some random thoughts I had on Toronto FC as the off-season marches along for the rebuilding MLS club.  Kosi Thompson could benefit from another loan spell When Toronto FC sent Kosi Thompson on loan in August to Lillestrøm SK the hope was that the young Canadian would get the chance to continue his development with some regular playing time in the Norwegian top-flight.  Being outside of one's comfort zone can often help a young player grow and mature and give them a new lease on life. It's fair to say it didn't quite work out that way for the Toronto-born midfielder in Norway.  ..read more

It's the end of the road for Christine Sinclair. Canada hosts Australia this week in the finale of a two-game friendly series at Vancouver’s BC Place which has been officially renamed Christine Sinclair Place. Sinclair, 40, will play her final match for Canada, capping off a brilliant international career that saw her win three Olympic medals (including a gold) and compete in six FIFA World Cups. She plans to play one more year for her pro club, the Portland Thorns of the NWSL, before hanging up her cleats for good. Here’s what you need to know about Tuesday's match between Canada and Austral ..read more

Welcome to the latest edition of TFC Republic Weekly, an email newsletter that will land in the inbox of both paid subscribers and free members of TFC Republic every Monday. This newsletter will look at what's in store over the next seven days for Toronto FC, and also get a glimpse of what to expect at TFC Republic in the coming days. So, without further ado... 22 TFC players under contract with Mabika returning In case you missed it, Toronto FC announced last Friday that Aimé Mabika would return for the 2024 MLS season.    This was an interesting decision from TFC as the centr ..read more

TFC Republic will feature a regular reader mailbag column where I answer questions from subscribers about Toronto FC and Canadian soccer in general. I'll respond to the best queries submitted to me by TFC Republic readers, so feel free to drop me an email at jmo1897@gmail.com. You can also reach out to me via Twitter and Facebook. Here we go... What's going on with Charlie Sharp? Does Toronto FC still have his rights?  – Anthony Trentadue (and several other people)  Remember Charlie Sharp? You probably don't.  TFC selected the forward from Western Michigan with the 61st overall ..read more

The Canadian women's team put the hammer down in the opener of the final leg of Christine Sinclair's farewell tour. With the memory of its recent FIFA World Cup loss to Australia still fresh in its memory, Canada thrashed the Aussies 5-0 on Friday at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C. in the first of two international friendlies between the nations. Nichelle Prince scored a first half brace, and Cloé Lacasse, Simi Awujo and Adriana Leon also scored for a Canadian side that is preparing for life without Sinclair who’ll retire from the national team next week. Sinclair was subbed into the ..read more

As part of TFC Republic's special flashback series, we'll examine interesting moments in the history of Toronto FC.   In the latest instalment: We look back at Andrew Wiedeman's stint with TFC which included former coach Paul Mariner referring to him as "one of the best finishers" he ever saw in the modern era.  ..read more

Canada 5 (Prince 10’, 43’; Lacasse 49’; Awujo 55’, Leon 62’), Australia 0    Prince netted her 1st brace for Canada since Oct. 5, 2018  Sinclair entered game in the 64th minute for her 330th cap  As a steady rain fell from the sky above in Langford, B.C. on Friday night the goals flowed freely on the pitch from the Canadian women’s team at Starlight Stadium.  With the memory of its recent FIFA World Cup loss to Australia still fresh in its memory, Canada thrashed the Aussies 5-0 in the opener of a two-game friendly series between the nations.  Nichelle Prince s ..read more