TFC Republic Weekly: August 3-9
A small MLS break due to the Leagues Cup gives Toronto FC a chance to reset ahead of the home stretch of the regular season.
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 winless in 12 straight MLS matches
It was another moral victory – rather than the genuine article – for Toronto FC last Friday.
TFC fielded one of their strongest lineups to date of their injury-riddled 2026 MLS season and put in a professional road performance to earn a come-from-behind 1-1 draw vs. New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. Djordje Mihailovic scored the equalizer for the Reds, who had both of their designated players in the starting 11 for the first time this year.
While it was a valuable road point, the draw kept Toronto (3-7-8) in 12th place in the Eastern Conference and extended its winless skid to 12 consecutive MLS matches – 13 in all competitions. TFC haven’t registered a win since April 4 when it earned a 3-2 home decision over the Colorado Rapids.
"We're so close to just getting over that little hump that is keeping us from two points more or three points more, and once we get there, then we can explode. That was our first game essentially with nearly a healthy roster, apart from a couple guys that are just getting over their small injuries, and we haven't had that all year. A few more weeks of consistency with training and some games, and we're going to get there," Mihailovic said.
Coach Robin Fraser added: "I never make predictions. I'm always afraid to err on the side of caution, but I do think this team is changing."
John Molinaro
Solid showing from Niklas Dorsch in MLS debut
Robin Fraser made three lineup changes on Friday from the previous week's 1-1 draw away to D.C. United. Among the changes he made was giving an MLS debut to newcomer Niklas Dorsch.
Dorsch, 28, officially joined TFC earlier in the week via a transfer from FC Heidenheim 1846 of Germany's second division. The German midfielder was in full training with Toronto for several days which allowed him to hit the ground running and make a solid MLS debut at Yankee Stadium. Dorsch effectively shielded the back line during his 71 minutes on the pitch in making a pair of defensive clearances and two tackles, blocked one shot and made an interception.
He was also vital in helping Toronto build out from the back, completing 91.2 per cent of his passes (five of his passes were in the final third), including making one key pass (a pass that directly leads to a shot on goal by a teammate). Dorsch's two-way play on the night made a lasting impression on fellow midfielder Djordje Mihailovic.
"He's a top player. He's going to help us so much. ... Duels winning, technique, controlling the tempo of the game and he has a great shot ... So, he's going to be a threat off the ball, a threat with the ball and once we have a few more games together, it's going to look really good," Mihailovic offered.
Fraser added: "I think the more calm and composed we can be in tough situations, obviously the better off we're going to be, and I thought he displayed some of that tonight, but at the same time being able to display a real intensity and closing down."
John Molinaro
The MLS summer transfer window
Major League Soccer observes two transfer windows each year.
This season's primary transfer window ran from Jan. 26 to March 26. The secondary transfer window opened on July 13 and closes on Sept. 2.
During the summer transfer windows, MLS clubs can:
- Sign players who are out of contract.
- Buy and sell players via transfer both from teams within MLS and from abroad.
- Make trades with other MLS teams, either for players or assets (GAM, draft picks, etc.).
- Sign players on loan from clubs within MLS and from abroad.
Jason Hernandez said prior to the opening of the window that he was looking to bolster the midfield and defence during the summer transfer window, but that he was only looking to add a few pieces rather than make wholesale changes.
John Molinaro
No games for TFC this week
MLS goes on hiatus this week as the first phase of the 2026 Leagues Cup kicks off on Tuesday.
As a result, TFC are off and won't return to action until Saturday, Aug. 15 when it hosts the New England Revolution at BMO Field (7:30 p.m. ET/TSN & Apple TV).
The short break gives the Reds some extra time to regroup after going winless through their four games after MLS resumed following the World Cup break. It also offers them a chance to get some players healthy and match fit, most notably Colombian midfielder Nelson Palacio who has yet to debut for the Reds since being acquired in a cash-for-player trade with Real Salt Lake last month.
"[This break is] really important. We have a week where we don't have to prepare for a team, so we can really concentrate on this. We can really concentrate on getting our ideas in sync and getting guys playing together and seeing more and more combinations between the players," Robin Fraser said.
"I think the two-week break for us comes at a good time, because I do think that we will make conclusions to save by day, and I think that this period of not having a game next weekend really allows us just to focus on this."
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Stories to look out for at TFC Republic
Time is ticking for Toronto FC. While there are 16 games left in the regular season, TFC have to find a way to get back into the win column soon. If they continue to drop points and if wins continue to elude them, they’ll be out of the playoff race before the end of the summer. Look for my feature story on the state of the union at Toronto FC in the coming days.
Other stories that will be published this week include:
- A new TFC Talk interview with beat reporter James Grossi.
- A feature story on TFC defender Adam Pearlman, currently on loan in the CPL.
- The latest edition of the reader mailbag.
- Regular "TFC Tidbits" news stories throughout the week.
- 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.
TFC Republic subscribers can get up to a 25% discount on ticket prices for Toronto FC home games during the 2026 MLS regular season and the 2026 Canadian Championship. To receive the special promo code, email me at jmo1897@gmail.com
(Please don't share promo code with non-TFC Republic subscribers).
