By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Feb 15, 2023) US Soccer Players - By the time Toronto's two biggest signings of the 2022 season changed the scope of the club's attack in late July, it was already going to be a struggle to climb into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Defensive issues that had dogged the team all year lingered into the early fall, making the in-season reclamation project . . .
Maurice Edu on the Eastern Conference and Toronto’s changes
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (July 29, 2022) US Soccer Players - Two-thirds through the regular season schedule, a pair of elite teams have emerged in the quest for 1st-place in the Eastern Conference and a shot at the Supporters' Shield. The standings tell the tale: At the top of the East sit the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC, by any measure the two best teams in the . . .
Insigne at Toronto is a big move and a major statement
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (July 1, 2022) US Soccer Players - Toronto FC certainly knows how to go big. In retrospect, it's fitting that Major League Soccer's first Canadian franchise entered the league upon the arrival of the Designated Player rule. Though TFC wasn't the first club to leverage the new freer spending rules, the history of Toronto's success on the field can be connected . . .
Mixed results so far in 2022 for Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto
By Clemente Lisi – MONTREAL, CA (Apr 25, 2022) US Soccer Players – Scores of fans streamed out of Stade Saputo on a chilly April evening in Montreal. They'd just watched the hometown CF Montreal defeat Canadian rivals Vancouver Whitecaps in what was a riveting 2-1 game. The encounter was the first all-Canadian match-up of the 2022 season. The state of the game in Canada is very good, especially . . .
Two ex-USMNT coaches cast a shadow across the Eastern Conference
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Feb 17, 2022) US Soccer Players - One major Canadian media network has compared his roster adjustments to a sledgehammer demolition job. Another outlet cheekily dubbed him "Snow Plow Bob" for his readiness to sweep the decks clear upon his midwinter arrival. Neither seemed that far out of place in regards to an offseason overhaul that has seen well over half the . . .
Altidore’s move to the New England Revolution
Tuesday's soccer news starts with Jozy Altidore joining the New England Revolution. After a difficult final season in Toronto, Altidore and the club agreed to a buyout. That allowed him to join New England as a free agent in advance of the 2022 Major League Soccer season. Under the terms of the buyout, Toronto pays a portion of Altidore's salary this season and next season. "I am excited to . . .
The 4-3-3 in MLS
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jan 18, 2022) US Soccer Players – Major League Soccer is getting plenty of attention in recent weeks. The annual SuperDraft introduced a group of players who could follow recent examples of draft picks turning into key contributors. Ricardo Pepi and Daryl Dike are off to Europe in high-profile moves, adding to the wealth of American talent already there. Another . . .
Toronto makes a big move in revamp
Monday's soccer news starts with Toronto FC making their move for Napoli captain and World Cup winner Lorenzo Insigne. After intense speculation linking the player with the club, Toronto announced that Insigne will complete his free transfer to MLS in July. Insigne's Napoli is currently 3rd in Serie A and plays Barcelona in the Europa League knockout round next month. "We are all looking . . .
Toronto’s rebuild may not be a model for other MLS clubs
By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 31, 2021) US Soccer Players - Let's pretend you run a professional sports team. Your goal is to win championships. Everything you do should be working towards that end. Failing to win a title means reassessing your approach to the process. Professional sports are often about timing. As your players age and new players become available, the trick is to bridge . . .
A reunion and a “remake” in Toronto
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 25, 2021) US Soccer Players - While most of the United States gears down for one of the country's major holidays, it's a full work week across Lake Ontario at Toronto FC, and a busy one at that. The Reds concluded their 2021 campaign with a 1-0 loss to CF Montreal in Sunday's Canadian Championship final, following a second-from-bottom finish in the MLS . . .
