TFC Republic Weekly: August 11-17
Toronto FC returns to BMO Field this weekend for the first time in over a month when they host the Columbus Crew.
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...
Toronto FC takes a point off the best team in MLS
Deandre Kerr came off the bench to score a dramatic equalizer, allowing Toronto FC to earn a surprising 1-1 draw vs. the Supporters’ Shield leaders Philadelphia Union on Saturday at Subaru Park.
The Reds appeared destined to suffer their third shutout defeat in a row before Kerr rescued a point for the visitors via a header from close range off a cross from Malik Henry. New designated player Djordje Mihailovic made his TFC debut and earned an assist on the equalizer while also putting in a solid defensive shift.
Despite the draw Toronto (5-13-7), now winless in three games, remains 12th in the Eastern Conference with nine matches remaining in the regular season. It’s the last thing that coach Robin Fraser would publicly admit to, but even he must know in his heart of hearts that the Reds are destined to miss the post-season for a fifth straight year.
Yet, Fraser saw the glass as half full, focusing on his team's comeback effort on Saturday, rather than on its fading playoff hopes.
"Another really gutsy performance. That's the thing I really admire about this team is that they just don't really quit. To give up a goal here in the first three minutes - how many times have we seen that over the years turn into six? So, the fact that we gave up a pretty poor goal early on could have been a little bit of a back breaker. So, really huge credit to the team,” Fraser told reporters after the game.
John Molinaro
Mihailovic keen to start new glory period at TFC
As one of the best creative midfielders in MLS who can also score goals, Djordje Mihailovic could’ve written his own ticket and gone almost anywhere he wanted across the league after requesting a move away from the Colorado Rapids earlier this summer. Any number of high-profile teams would’ve queued up to have a chance at landing the U.S. international.
Yet, it was Toronto FC who last week acquired Mihailovic via a transfer from the Rapids for $8 million US and up to $1 million in conditional cash if certain performance-based metrics are met. Colorado also retains a sell-on percentage if the player is traded or transferred as part of what will go down as one of the biggest roster transactions in MLS during this year's secondary transfer window.
Mihailovic apparently wasn’t put off by the club’s current predicament. Rather, he views it as the ultimate challenge, eager to play a starring role for TFC in trying to help them duplicate the success they enjoyed from 2016 to 2020 when they hoisted an MLS Cup (and reached two other finals) and came within a whisper of winning the Concacaf Champions League.
"When I hear Toronto FC, all I think about is the treble [in 2017], the trophies, the MVP players [who came] before me, and you think of just a massive club. That's what it was when I first came to the league. And that thought alone drew me immediately. When I heard this idea came to me, I quickly tried to grab it. The thought of playing here… and to be part of that history and to help get Toronto back to the top of the league," Mihailovic said during his introductory press conference on Friday.
John Molinaro
More summer roster moves a possibility
Toronto FC started the summer transfer window by making a series of deals to acquire general allocation money, including trading former No. 1 draft pick Tyrese Spicer to Orlando City.
Last week’s addition of Djordje Mihailovic represented the first reinforcement to TFC’s squad during the MLS secondary transfer window. And from the sounds of it, there could be more newcomers on their way to Toronto before the window closes on Aug. 21.
“We're working day and night to understand how we can continue to improve the team in the summer with the understanding that there's going to be a pretty big landscape to make decisions and really address team needs in the off-season. That's no secret, but we're being very diligent in preparing every day, understanding what are the opportunities, and if there's a potential to make another addition, we hope to do so,” GM Jason Hernandez said.
John Molinaro
Malik Henry signed to MLS deal; Charlie Sharp loaned out
Toronto FC announced on Friday that it signed midfielder Malik Henry to an MLS contract through 2025 with club options for 2026 and 2027.
Henry, a 23-year-old from Hamilton, Ont., signed three short-term agreements with Toronto FC this season and made two appearances, including his MLS debut when he came off the bench against New York Red Bulls at BMO Field on June 25, 2025. He made another substitute appearance the following week away to New York City FC.
He originally signed with TFC 2 on March 4, 2025, and debuted for the Young Reds against FC Cincinnati 2 on March 9. He recorded a team-leading five assists in 18 appearances (12 starts).
Henry came off the bench in the Philadelphia game to earn his first career MLS assist on Deandre Kerr's goal.
In another roster move last week, Toronto FC sent forward Charlie Sharp on loan to the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the United Soccer League Championship for the remainder of the 2025 season.
John Molinaro
TFC vs. Columbus Crew on Saturday
Toronto FC returns to action when it hosts the Columbus Crew at BMO Field on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET/Apple TV & TSN).
Columbus (12-5-8) sits fifth in the Eastern Conference, seven spots and 22 points above Toronto. The Crew have lost two of their last three games in MLS, including 3-1 decision to Orlando City on July 25.
That was the Columbus' last match in MLS. Since then, they've been competing in the Leagues Cup, most recently registering a 1-0 win over Mexican club Leon.
Columbus leads the all-time MLS regular season series against Toronto with 20 wins and 13 draws in 43 meetings.
This is the first of two regular season meetings between the clubs. They'll face off again on Sept. 20 in Columbus.
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Stories to look out for at TFC Republic
Three thirds of the MLS regular season is now in the books, which makes it a good time to look back and look ahead. Where do things stand with Toronto FC? How did they get to this point? And where do they go from here. I'll try to answer these questions in an in-depth feature later this week.
Other stories that will be published later this week include:
- A TFC notebook column after Tuesday or Wednesday's training session.
- A piece on the four stories to watch for this week.
- In-depth pre- and post-game coverage of Toronto's match vs. the Columbus Cree Union.
- An audio interview piece with Brianna Mac Kay of the Columbus Dispatch about Saturday's home game vs. Columbus.
- A new TFC Random Thoughts column.
- A new TFC Talk interview with beat reporter James Grossi.
- Regular "TFC Tidbits" stories throughout the week.
- The reader mailbag.
- The weekly TFC 2 report.
- And much more!
TFC Republic mailbag
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 answer the best questions 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.
(Top photo by Lucas Kschischang/Toronto FC)
TFC Republic has a comments section! At the very bottom of every story, there is a feature where you can post your comments, so be sure to share your thoughts and views.
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