TFC Republic Weekly: August 25-31
A Toronto FC side that has drawn three straight will try to win its first game since mid-July when it hosts CF Montreal this weekend.
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 records 3rd draw in a row
A game between Toronto FC and Atlanta United used to be the highlight of the MLS weekend schedule. But that’s when they combined to win two MLS Cups and make four appearances in the final during a four-year span. Those days are long gone with both clubs currently toiling in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference table.
Toronto and Atlanta played to a drab 0-0 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, a result that extended TFC’s winless skid to five games (two losses). Toronto (5-13-9) has drawn three in a row and remains in 12th place in the East with seven matches left in the campaign, three spots and 15 points behind the New York Red Bulls who hold down the ninth and final playoff berth.
“You see teams get stretched here [in Atlanta] often, and it can certainly be a goal fest. I've certainly been here and seen that before … And I felt like today we did a really good job defensively of working together, moving together and putting out fires,” coach Robin Fraser said.
“And then on the attacking end, we had some really good opportunities. We were able to get into some good positions, and guys made some really good passes into our attacking players, and we had a number of decent chances.
“So overall, disappointed not to get the win. But again, I feel every week we see progress with this team, and that is certainly part of the mission here – is to make sure that we continue to get better and better.”
John Molinaro
TFC replaces Deybi Flores with José Cifuentes
Last week saw some important roster moves from Toronto FC before the closure of the MLS secondary transfer window. Two days after announcing the sale of Deybi Flores to Saudi club Al-Najma SC, Toronto brought in José Cifuentes on a year-long loan from Scottish club Rangers.
It’s a move that allows the team to move forward with a new central midfielder who offers more of an attacking upside than Flores (who had three goals and four assists in 58 appearances) and gives Cifuentes a chance to get his club career back on track.
"For those that have followed MLS for the last five years, [they] understand what he's been able to produce, the quality that he has, what he's done within the league and internationally. We've had a front row seat for all of that, and so for us to have an opportunity to work with a player like that was a bit of a no brainer," GM Jason Hernandez told reporters on Friday.
Cifuentes, 26, played in his native Ecuador before joining LAFC on a $3 million transfer move. He made 121 appearances in all competitions across four seasons for LA from 2020 to 2023, netting 15 goals and tallying 20 assists. He also helped the club win an MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield in 2022 and reach the finals of the 2023 Concacaf Champions League.
The Ecuadorian joined Rangers in the summer of 2023 on a four-year contract following a transfer move but failed to make an impression at the famous Glasgow club. He made 20 appearances for Rangers across all competitions (just nine in the Scottish league) before being sent on loan to Brazilian side Cruzeiro and Greek Super League club Aris.
"He's a bit different [than Flores]. He has more attacking in his DNA, but he's capable of defending and playing deep. Probably prefers to play a little bit higher, because he can get more opportunities on goal. But he's very competent in any part of the midfield, and certainly the experience he's gained, the experience that he's had, we would think is going to translate into really helping us," Robin Fraser said.
John Molinaro
Hernandez says TFC will add attacking DP in off-season
Toronto FC has the third-worst attack in MLS this season with just 27 goals in 27 games.
On-loan Canadian international Theo Corbeanu is the club's top scorer with five goals, followed by Deandre Kerr (three goals). TAM-level forward Ola Brynhildsen, who like Corbeanu is on loan, has been a major disappointment with just two goals in 20 league games.
One of TFC's major off-season goals will be adding a new attacking DP, Jason Hernandez revealed last week.
"[There will be a] number of decisions come the off-season about folks and their futures with the club, and who's going to be part of the project moving forward with that. .... With that, we will also add a designated player in the off-season, [and] it will be an attacking player," Hernandez promised.
He later added: "The designated player opportunity is just something you can't get wrong, and so we'll spend a lot of time and hours to make sure that we get it right. We imagine, like Djordje [Mihailovic], the next designated player will be a foundational piece of our attack, and we're excited to have to go through that work and to take steps."
John Molinaro
TFC vs. CF Montreal on Saturday
Toronto FC returns to action when it hosts CF Montreal on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET/Apple TV & TSN).
Montreal (5-15-8) sits 13th in the Eastern Conference, one spot and one point below Toronto in the table, although the Reds have a game in hand.
The Black and Blue are riding a four-game unbeaten run, which includes a 3-2 home win over Austin FC last weekend. Former Toronto forward Prince Owusu had an assist and a goal, while Hennadiy Synchuk and Dante Sealy also scored for Montreal.
Toronto leads the all-time regular season series against Montreal with 16 wins and five draws in 35 games
This is the final regular season meeting between the clubs. Toronto earned a historic 6-1 win at Stade Saputo on May 17.
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Stories to look out for at TFC Republic
GM Jason Hernandez was quite busy over the summer, pulling off a number of deals during the MLS secondary transfer window as he began the process of overhauling Toronto FC's roster. What exactly did he accomplish? And has he set the team up for success in the future? I'll have an in-depth feature that evaluates TFC's summer transfer window. Look for the story to run 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.
- A feature piece on Toronto FC newcomer Jules-Anthony Vilsaint.
- In-depth pre- and post-game coverage of Toronto's match vs. CF Montreal.
- An audio interview piece with Elias Grigoriadis of the Canadian Press ahead of Saturday's home game vs. CF Montreal
- 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
- 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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