TFC Republic Weekly: May 12-18

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 earns 1st home win since last September

Maybe there’s still some life in Toronto FC after all.  

After a disastrous week highlighted by their early exit from the Canadian Championship, TFC responded with their best effort of the MLS season in a convincing 2-0 win over D.C. United last Saturday at BMO Field.  

Lorenzo Insigne opened the scoring with his first goal of the campaign and had a hand in his team’s second goal as Toronto (2-6-4) snapped a three-game losing skid in all competitions and recorded its fourth clean sheet of 2025.   

The win also ended Toronto’s home winless run at nine games in all competitions - its previous win at BMO Field came in a 2-1 decision over Austin FC on Sept. 14, 2024, when John Herdman was at the helm.    

"Just so proud. So proud of them. It's really hard to have belief when you haven't got the kind of results that back up the work that you're doing. So, for them to come out and put in a performance like this today, the kind of commitment they made to each other before they started the game, to see them do that and then go out and back it up on the field, I couldn't be more proud," coach Robin Fraser said.

Toronto FC vs. D.C. United: 3 takeaways

Lorenzo Insigne came up very big for TFC in Saturday’s home win at a time when they badly needed the Italian DP to step up.

TFC REPUBLICJohn Molinaro

Achilles injury sidelines Nicksoen Gomis for the season

Toronto FC will have to make do without Nickson Gomis for the remainder of the 2025 MLS season. The MLS club has confirmed last Friday that Gomis is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign after having successful surgery in Toronto to repair his left Achilles tendon.

"It's a big loss for us. He does so many things well and as a young centre back he's only going to get better. I would say with the way medicine is these days I have zero worries for his future. We will obviously just miss him now. We are excited to get him back, get him healthy. I think Nicks has a really big future," Robin Fraser said.

Gomis crashed to the pitch in a heap in the 66th minute in a 2-0 home loss to the New England Revolution on May 3. The French defender was inside TFC’s penalty area alone and far away from the ball, so it was a non-contact injury. Gomis, 23, had to be carried off the pitch and back to the locker room by several members of the training staff.     

Gomis has been one of TFC’s most reliable and consistent defenders for the MLS team following his transfer move from English club Sheffield United prior to last season. He proved to be very durable in his debut campaign, making 24 league appearances (23 starts) while logging 2,045 minutes (sixth most on the team). This season, Gomis played and started in six MLS matches (481 minutes) and featured in the Canadian Championship game vs. Montreal. In total, the young centre back has made 37 appearances in all competitions during his time with Toronto.  

TFC signed the French defender to a two-year deal through 2025 with options for 2026 and 2027. Gomis earned a modest $71,401 US in 2024 and because he is on the Reds' supplemental roster, the Frenchman doesn’t count against the salary cap.  

TFC Tidbits: Nicksoen Gomis ruled out for rest of season

The Frenchman underwent surgery to repair his left Achilles tendon this week and is expected to miss the rest of the campaign.

TFC REPUBLICJohn Molinaro

Fan unrest still an issue at BMO Field

TFC were booed off the pitch after their home loss to New England, while a considerable number of fans in the supporters section in the south stands held a silent protest before walking out in the 11th minute after the Reds conceded the opening goal. That prompted MLSE president & CEO Keith Pelley to write a letter to season ticket holders, urging them to not give up on the team as it continues to rebuild. 

If ever there was a time that the Reds needed to step up in a big way, last Saturday vs. D.C. United was certainly it. With fan frustration reaching new heights, the team gave supporters something to cheer about on a sunny afternoon at BMO Field. The attack sparkled with Lorenzo Insigne leading the charge in a man-of-the-match display, while the defence held firm in neutralizing D.C. forward Christian Benteke, last season’s Golden Boot winner in MLS.  

"Today was so important. Honestly, we deserve it, and now we have to push it and keep going like that. But it's important for the confidence of the team, and in front of our fans; the stadium was amazing today," Federico Bernardeschi said.

However, it should be noted that the south end of the stands weren't full on Saturday in part because some supporters group members protested outside of BMO Field prior to kickoff while holding a banner that read, "Empty words = empty seats." 

So, it would appear the club and MLSE still have work to do to win back some disgruntled fans.

TFC Tidbits: Supporters groups respond to Keith Pelley’s letter

“You say you need us. So prove it. Not with words but with results,” read a joint statement from Kings in the North and the Red Patch Boys.

TFC REPUBLICJohn Molinaro

TFC vs. FC Cincinnati on Wednesday    

Toronto FC returns to action when it hosts FC Cincinnati on Wednesday (7:30 pm. ET/Apple TV). 

Cincinnati (8-3-1) occupies first place in the Eastern Conference, 12 spots and 15 points above Toronto in the table.   

The Black and Orange have won six of their last seven MLS games, including a 2-1 home decision over Austin FC last weekend. Brazilian midfielder Evander had a goal and an assist, while Gerardo Valenzuela also scored in the win.

"I was really pleased with how we moved the ball," Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said. "They went with a different press than we anticipated. When we needed to, we defended well. They’re very dangerous with their service in the box. Our centre backs specifically defended very well so I’m very pleased with the performance."

Cincinnati leads the all-time regular season series against Toronto with eight wins (one draw) in 13 meetings

This will be the final meeting of the regular season between Toronto and Cincinnati. The clubs faced off on March 8 at TQL Stadium when Cincinnati earned a 2-0 win. 

TFC’s Kosi Thompson looks to make fullback spot his own

“I think it’s been a worthwhile project to have explored,” coach Robin Fraser said of converting the midfielder into a right fullback.

TFC REPUBLICJohn Molinaro

TFC vs. CF Montreal on Saturday    

After hosting Cincinnati, TFC hit the road and will take on CF Montreal at Stade Saputo on Saturday (2:30 pm. ET/Apple TV). 

Montreal (1-8-3) sits dead last in the Eastern Conference, two spots and four points below Toronto, but it is coming off its first win of the season.

After going winless through their first 11 games of the campaign, Montreal earned a 1-0 road win over New York City FC last weekend. Former TFC striker Prince Owusu scored the winner, his team-leading third goal of the campaign.

“We showed that today is a huge step for us. Not only by getting the three points, but because we showed that we can do a lot of different things on the field. It seems that all of the job that we did in these past six weeks came out. We showed that we can play short when they give us the space,” interim coach Marco Donadel said.

Toronto leads the all-time regular season series against Montreal with 16 wins and five draws in 35 games.

This will be the first of two regular season games between Toronto and Montreal. The clubs will meet again on Aug. 30 at BMO Field.

Note: I will be at Stade Saputo in Montreal 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 

Even though Toronto FC is coming off a huge, morale-boosting win last weekend, the club still faces a number of pressing and important questions going forward. I'll examine those questions in a feature story that will run later this week.

Other stories that will be published later this week include:         

• In-depth pre- and post-game coverage of Toronto's match vs. FC Cincinnati.  
• An audio interview piece with Laurel Pfahler of Queen City Press ahead of Wednesday's home game vs. D.C. United.
• 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 road game vs. CF Montreal.
• 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 courtesy of 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.