Toronto FC 2 (Spicer 87’, Owusu 90’), Orlando City 1 (McGuire 37’)    Owusu now has 6 goals in 7 games in all competitions for TFC Bernardeschi collects 2 assists in a man-of-the-match effort    John Herdman had lofty ambitions for Toronto FC ahead of Saturday’s road game vs. Orlando City.   The English coach talked about this being a big occasion for the Reds, presenting them with a chance to climb into the top four in the Eastern Conference. Herdman received his wish courtesy of two late goals from substitute Tyrese Spicer and starter Prince Owusu i ..read more

After a midweek win over Simcoe County Rovers in the Canadian Championship, Toronto FC is aiming to keep the momentum going when it returns to MLS action this weekend.  TFC put an end to a three-game losing streak last Saturday with a 1-0 home win over the New England Revolution. A road victory against Orlando City on Saturday would allow the Reds to register their first three-game winning streak of the campaign. But it won't be easy as Orlando is a very difficult place to play for visiting teams.  “It’s definitely a hostile environment, and the style that they play — they get in yo ..read more

Some random thoughts I had on Toronto FC as it prepares for Saturday's road contest against Orlando City. Derrick Etienne Jr gets new chance with Toronto FC Toronto FC pulled off a trade prior to Tuesday's deadline when it acquired winger Derrick Etienne Jr. from Atlanta United FC in exchange for $200,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM). As part of the deal, Atlanta could receive an additional $175,000 in GAM if certain performance-based metrics are met.  Etienne Jr., is a veteran of eight MLS seasons with the New York Red Bulls, FC Cincinnati (on loan), Columbus Crew and Atlanta ..read more

Toronto FC was in rebuild mode this off-season thanks to a disastrous 2023 campaign that saw it finish bottom of the league table after recording a franchise-worst four wins and 22 points. One of the key areas on the pitch TFC needed to reinforce was in defence. The Reds conceded 59 goals last year, the second-worst defensive record in MLS, behind only the LA Galaxy who coughed up 67 goals. The situation called for the back line to be strengthened with some experienced hands, which is why GM Jason Hernandez brought in veteran Irish centre back Kevin Long from Birmingham City. Given Long’s pla ..read more

After its midweek win in the Canadian Championship, Toronto FC returns to MLS action when it visits Orlando City on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET/Apple TV).       Orlando (2-3-3) sits in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, seven spots and four points below Toronto (4-4-1) and is unbeaten in its last four games (two wins) after going winless in its first four outings of the season (three losses).  Toronto and Orlando previously met on Oct. 21 during the last weekend of the 2023 season when the Reds suffered a 2-0 loss at BMO Field. That result meant the Reds set n ..read more

It's been a busy week for Toronto FC. GM Jason Hernandez managed to pull off a trade before Tuesday's MLS deadline by acquiring winger Derrick Etienne Jr. in a trade with Atlanta United FC. Then on Wednesday the Reds opened their 2024 Canadian Championship campaign with a 5-0 victory over Simcoe County Rovers. TFC is now riding a modest two-game winning streak and continues to improve on the pitch. But the team is still a work in progress. In the latest TFC Republic video blog, I discuss the current state of affairs with TFC and much more.  Watch the video below ..read more

TFC Republic in conjunction with Footy Prime is proud to present the TFC 3 Questions podcast. In this week's edition of the podcast, host James Sharman, former Toronto FC captain Jim Brennan and TFC Republic's John Molinaro answer the following three questions: Was John Herdman disrespectful to Simcoe County? Who is Toronto FC newcomer Derrick Etienne Jr.? Why did Osorio rework his deal so Laryea could be a DP? Listen to the podcast below ..read more

Toronto FC 5 (Owusu 18’; Mailula 30’; Long 33’; Osorio 39’; Spicer 76'), Simcoe County Rovers 0   Osorio makes 350th appearance in all competitions for Reds  Mailula, Long score 1st goals; Dumitru debuts for senior team TORONTO – David vs. Goliath? This more closely resembled lambs being led to slaughter.    Toronto FC easily brushed aside semi-professional side Simcoe County Rovers by earning a 5-0 victory in the first round of the 2024 Canadian Championship at BMO Field on Wednesday.    The reigning League1 Ontario champions were no match on th ..read more

The transaction tracker at TFC Republic is a special feature where we will list all the roster additions and cuts, trades, signings and re-signings, and transfers made by Toronto FC, and examine what each move means for the club moving forward. It's a great way to keep tabs on what Toronto FC is doing and how it's building its roster, as we look at each transaction in a bit of detail. Toronto FC transaction tracker The transaction tracker at TFC Republic is a special feature where we will list all of the roster moves made by Toronto FC. TFC REPUBLICJohn Molinaro April 24, 2024: Reds get D ..read more

Toronto FC begins its 2024 Canadian Championship campaign this week against an unfamiliar opponent in Simcoe County Rovers. Wednesday's preliminary round match is the first ever meeting between the MLS outfit and Simcoe County, the reigning League1 Ontario champions who are based in Barrie, Ont. “We’re excited, that’s another trophy we can win and that’s our goal this year, to win as many trophies as we can,” TFC's Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty said. “We’ll take it seriously. We know Simcoe’s a League1 team but our mentality and our mindset, we don’t look at them that way.” Here’s what you need to ..read more