TFC Republic: Free preview for all readers this week!

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...

Free preview of TFC Republic this week

TFC Republic will be offering a free trial this entire week.

What that means is every piece of new content published on the website from today going forward will come out from behind the paywall and be available to everyone to read and enjoy. The free preview will end at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22.

This is the ideal time to subscribe to TFC Republic, as we will be looking ahead to the 2026 MLS campaign over the next several days, and then provide in-depth coverage of the club from every possible angle all season long.

I will be on site to cover TFC's first three matches of the season, which all happen to be on the road: Feb. 21 vs. FC Dallas, Feb. 28 vs. the Vancouver Whitecaps and March 8 vs. FC Cincinnati. My aim is to travel for 10-12 matches in total during the season, plus any road games the Reds might play during the playoffs.

I'm always looking for ways to improve TFC Republic's coverage of the team, while also ensuring readers get more bang for their buck and the absolute best value for their paid subscriptions. I think this will accomplish both goals as I anticipate being the only beat reporter who'll travel to cover Toronto FC on a regular basis this season.

If you’ve ever been on the fence about purchasing a subscription, now is your chance to check out the website during this week's free preview and see what you've been missing.

I’m sure you’ll find at the end of the free trial that TFC Republic provides thoughtful and nuanced analysis of all things Toronto FC, and that you'll be inclined to purchase a subscription at one of two very affordable rates. A monthly subscription costs just $8, while a yearly subscription is $50 (a savings of 48%).

Readers who purchase a yearly subscription to TFC Republic can also get up to a 20% discount on ticket prices for Toronto FC home games during the 2026 MLS regular season and the Canadian Championship.  

You can subscribe to TFC Republic by CLICKING HERE, or by clicking on the subscribe button on the top right of the home page.

Random thoughts on TFC: Fan discontent continues to grow

The MLS season starts next weekend and Toronto FC still hasn’t signed a DP forward or made any improvements to the attack.

TFC REPUBLICJohn Molinaro

Where things stand with TFC's roster

Toronto FC kicks off its 2026 MLS regular season this weekend, but its roster remains a work in progress.

There are 24 TFC players who are under contract for the 2026 season, not including Cassius Mailula who is on loan in Belgium with K.V. Kortrijk. MLS rosters are capped at 30 players, so TFC have six open slots to use.  

Teams must have at least 18 and no more than 20 players on their senior roster. By our count, there are 14 players on the senior roster and 10 on the supplemental roster at the moment. Only senior roster players count against the salary cap; supplemental players don't.

Senior players (roster slots 1-20): Luka Gavran, William Yarbrough, Richie Laryea, Zane Monlouis, Matheus Pereira, Henry Wingo, Walker Zimmerman, José Cifuentes, Alonso Coello, Djordje Mihailovic, Jonathan Osorio, Theo Corbeanu, Derrick Etienne Jr, Jules-Anthony Vilsaint

Supplemental players (roster slots 21-30): Adisa De Rosario, Kobe Franklin, Nicksoen Gomis, Stefan Kapor, Adam Pearlman, Lazar Stefanovic, Kosi Thompson, Marcus Cimermancic, Malik Henry, Deandre Kerr

MLS clubs are not required to fill roster slots 19 and 20, but they do need to have at least 18 players on their senior roster. Teams are slapped with a minimum salary budget charge for each unfilled senior roster slot below 18.

Youngster Malik Henry looking to give TFC a spark in 2026

In a 1-on-1 interview, Henry discusses his move from TFC 2 to the first team, his personal goals for the 2026 MLS, and much more.

TFC REPUBLICJohn Molinaro

Announcement about Emilio Aristizábal expected

While Toronto FC continues to talk to Norwich City over a transfer for Josh Sargent, is very close to adding another player to bolster its attack.

Toronto is expected this week to announce a loan deal with Atlético Nacional for Colombian forward Emilio Aristizábal. The loan agreement includes an option to buy for TFC.

Aristizábal, 20, came up through the youth system at Atlético Nacional, one of the top clubs in Colombia, before making his senior team debut in 2023. He had two assists in 15 appearances for the team before being loaned out to fellow Colombian side Fortaleza F.C. where he has bagged 12 goals and two assists in 36 games.

He's a versatile player who can play as a winger, but he's primarily a striker, the same position his dad played during his career. Víctor Aristizábal featured for some of the biggest clubs in Colombia and Brazil and was part of his country's World Cup squad in 1994 and 1998.

Toronto could use the attacking help as it's coming off a 2025 season in which it scored 37 goals, tied for third worst in MLS.

MLS rules explained: Toronto FC and the U22 player model

Getting the right players is the key to making the U22 roster model work, and so far, TFC have shown poor judgment on that front.

TFC REPUBLICJohn Molinaro

TFC vs. FC Dallas on Saturday       

Toronto FC kicks off its 2026 MLS regular season on Saturday when it pays a visit to Toyota Stadium for a game against FC Dallas (8:30 p.m. ET/Apple TV).

The Texas based club is coming off a solid 2025 campaign in which it finished seventh in the Western Conference before losing to eventual MLS Cup finalist Vancouver Whitecaps in the first round of the playoffs.

Coach Eric Quill's side underwent a lot of roster changes in the off-season, highlighted by the additions of Uruguayan midfielder Joaquín Valiente, Israeli midfielder Ran Binyamin, Swedish defender Herman Johansson and Canadian goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.

Dallas leads the all-time regular season series against Toronto with 11 wins and six draws in 20 games. These teams previously met in Texas on Feb. 26, 2022, when they played to a 1-1 draw at Toyota Stadium in the season opener for both clubs.

Note: I will be at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas to cover Saturday's game, so be sure to visit TFC Republic all weekend in order to check out our special on-site coverage. 

RELATED READING: Newsletter || Features || Match reports || Opinion || Q&As || Videos || News || Transactions || TFC 2 ||

Stories to look out for at TFC Republic    

There are so many big and important questions facing Toronto FC right now on the cusp of the new MLS season. TFC Republic will try to answer them in a special feature story that will be published in the coming days.

Other stories that will be published later this week include:                          

• A piece looking at the five TFC players who have to step up in 2026. 
• A TFC notebook column after Tuesday or Wednesday's training session (or possible after Thursday's session).     
• In-depth pre- and post-game coverage of Toronto's match vs. FC Dallas.           
• An audio interview piece with Drew Epperley of Big D Soccer ahead of Saturday's road game vs. Dallas.    
• Regular "TFC Tidbits" 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.

(Top photo by Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images)

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.