TFC Republic Weekly: July 21-27

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 shut out in Nashville

It's one step forward, one step back for Toronto FC. After upsetting the first-place team in the Western Conference, TFC came crashing down to earth against one of the best sides in the Eastern Conference in a 1-0 loss to Nashville SC on Saturday at Geodis Park.  

TFC (5-12-6) remained in 12th place in the East but are now 12 points out of a playoff spot with 11 matches remaining in the regular season. Time is beginning to run out on the Reds, and although mathematically still alive, it appears almost certain that they’ll miss the post-season for a fifth straight year.  

A lack of offensive production continues to be TFC’s biggest issue as they didn't record a single shot on target against Nashville en route to being shut out for the eighth time (six losses) this season. TFC showed plenty of fight on the night. But that’s only going to carry you so far. You also need quality players who are difference makers and Toronto is in short supply of those at the moment. 

"I should probably start by saying nobody’s satisfied with a loss. But what an effort they put in and fought to the death. On a different day, maybe one of those chances late goes in and you’d say what a great road performance. This is probably the hottest, muggiest game we’ve played in all year, third game in a week, and the fight that they show, I'm really, really proud of the effort," coach Robin Fraser said after the game.

MLS summer transfer window opens this week

The MLS secondary transfer window opens up July 24 and runs through until Aug. 21.  

During this time, MLS clubs can make player trades with each other and also bring in players on transfer deals. It's one the last chances for teams to strengthen their rosters this season. Once the window closes, teams will only be able to add to their squads by signing free agents prior to the MLS roster free date on Sept. 12. 

Multiple sources have told TFC Republic that the MLS club should be active during this transfer window. The Reds could use some help up front to give them an attacking boost, but they also find themselves short at the centre back position due to the long-term injuries of Nicksoen Gomis, Henry Wingo and Zane Monlouis.

GM Jason Hernandez will be in Austin, Texas this week for the MLS All Star Game festivities, so it'll be the perfect chance to network with other club GMs and try to pull off a trade or two.

Federico Bernardeschi signs with Bologna

Former Toronto FC star Federico Bernardeschi is back in Italy to continue the next chapter of his career. 

Serie A club Bologna FC 1909 announced on Saturday that it officially signed TFC's ex-DP to a contract. Although details were not announced, it's believed that Bernardeschi's has inked a two-year deal that ties him to I Rossoblù (The Red and Blues) until the summer of 2027. He'll wear the No. 10 shirt for the 2025-26 season.  

Bernardeschi, 31, earlier this month mutually agreed to terminate his contract with TFC and have his contract bought, paving the way for his return to Serie A. Bernardeschi is Bologna’s fourth new signing of the summer transfer window, following the arrivals of fellow Italian international Ciro Immobile, Martin Vitik and goalkeeper Thomas Gillier, who has since been loaned to CF Montreal of MLS.  

Bologna is owned by Canadian businessman Joey Saputo, who also owns CF Montreal. Bologna finished ninth in the table during the 2024-25 season and competed in the UEFA Champions League, bowing out following the league phase. 

TFC vs. Charlotte FC on Saturday    

Toronto FC returns to action when it faces Charlotte FC on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET/Apple TV).          

Charlotte (11-11-2) is in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, just inside the playoff zone, and five spots and 14 points above Toronto in the table. The Crown are unbeaten in four straight matches and have won three in a row, including a 3-2 road decision over Atlanta United on the weekend. Spaniard Pep Biel had a goal and two assists for his eighth career game with multiple goal contributions, establishing a new club record. 

Biel is having one hell of a season for Charlotte as the former Real Zaragoza player has 10 goals and 12 assists. His offensive contributions are a big reason why Charlotte has scored in 16 consecutive games in all competitions, which includes 11 multi-goal matches. Charlotte has scored in 14 straight MLS regular season matches, the longest active streak in the league. 

The all-time series between Toronto and Charlotte is tied at three wins apiece in seven meetings. Charlotte has won the last two in a row. Toronto has a 1-2-0 road record with its lone win in Charlotte coming in 2022.  

This is the second and final meeting of the regular season between the clubs. Toronto suffered a 2-0 home loss on May 31.  

Note: I will be at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte 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  

The MLS secondary transfer window opens this week, and the expectation is that Toronto FC will try to strengthen its roster. How does the transfer window work? And what kind of moves might TFC make? Look for an in-depth feature later this week.   

Other stories that will be published later this week include:                  

• A TFC notebook column after Tuesday's training session. 
• A piece of the four stories to watch for this week.       
• An audio interview piece with Sam Spencer of Soccer Sheet about Saturday's road game vs. Charlotte.     
• In-depth pre- and post-game coverage of Toronto's match vs. Charlotte FC.       
• A special video travel blog from Charlotte.  
• 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.