TFC Republic Weekly: May 26-June 1

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 suffer setback in home loss to Nashville SC

Toronto FC reached several special milestones last Saturday. 

The club played its 600th MLS regular-season game, while captain Jonathan Osorio scored his 50th career regular-season goal and goalkeeper Sean Johnson moved into fifth place on the league's all-time list for regular season minutes played (37,326). 

But none of that really mattered as the Reds came out on the wrong end of a 2-1 home loss to Nashville SC before an announced crowd of 19,504 at BMO Field. With the defeat, Toronto fell to 3-8-4 on the season, although coach Robin Fraser feels the team has improved since the beginning of the campaign. 

"I look at where we were when we started to where we are now, and the level of understanding that we have in terms of things that we're trying to do. And I definitely see progress," Fraser said. 

Osorio added: "I don't feel we're as bad as [our] record suggests. But at the same time, it doesn't matter. At some point you have to get results. But the team is improving its play and that's a positive. We have to focus on this and work every day to now get results, because now, honestly, we can't waste any games. We have a lot of ground to cover." 

Keith Pelley: 'TFC is headed in the right direction'

Speaking at last week's end-of-season press conference for the Toronto Maple Leafs, MLSE president & CEO Keith Pelley was asked for his thoughts on the state of affairs with Toronto FC

"I am totally confident that TFC is headed in the right direction," Pelley said when asked about the MLS club. 

"A 6-1 win against Montreal last week, the most goals they’ve ever scored, is the start of it. But TFC is going to contend for championships every year. I have the utmost confidence in Jason Hernandez. This is just his second year and giving him the reign of that. And I’m confident about TFC. I know we’re on the right track. But when you create a team ethos, of the way you want to play, of how you want to recruit players, you have to be diligent in staying with that philosophy.  

"And that’s what we’re going to do at TFC. We’re not going to chase it. We’re going to be diligent in that team ethos and how we want to play, what we’re going to try to attract. And I’m really pleased with where we are right now." 

TFC vs. Philadelphia Union on Wednesday    

Toronto FC returns to action when it hosts the Philadelphia Union at BMO Field on Wednesday (7:30 pm. ET/Apple TV & TSN).  

Philadelphia (9-9-3) sits in first place in the Eastern Conference (and second overall in the MLS table) and is unbeaten in its last seven games (five wins). It's an incredible turnaround for a team that finished 12th in the East in 2024. 

“I don’t think anyone would [have] believed this at the start of the season,” Union defender Jakob Glesnes told the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

“It’s huge for everyone in the locker room that we have been taking the steps that we have been doing from January until now, because now we have been making a belief that we can do it every weekend. … That’s a huge honour to the staff, and also to the players that have been committed to what we have been doing now for the last six months “ 

The Union are coming off a 3-3 draw at home vs. Inter Miami last weekend. Lionel Messi scored on a free kick in the 87th minute and then collected an assist on Telasco Segovia's equalizer deep into injury time to help Miami wipe out a two-goal deficit and earn a share of the points. 

Toronto leads the all-time series against Philadelphia with 14 wins and eight draws in 33 regular season meetings 

This will be the first of two regular season games between Toronto and Philadelphia. The clubs will meet again on Aug. 9 at Subaru Park. 

TFC vs. Charlotte FC on Saturday    

After hosting Philadelphia, the Reds close out the month of May with another home game when they welcome Charlotte FC to BMO Field on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET/Apple TV).

Charlotte (7-7-1) is eighth in the East and snapped a franchise-worst five-game losing streak with a 3-2 home win over the Columbus Crew this past weekend. U.S. international Patrick Agyemang bagged a brace in the win for Charlotte who started the month of May as Eastern Conference leaders.

“The lads didn’t fear them today. The response from the players and the character they showed was excellent,” coach Dean Smith said.

Toronto leads the all-time series against Charlotte with three wins and a draw in six meetings

This will be the first of two regular season games between Toronto and Charlotte. The clubs will meet again on July 26 at Bank of America Stadium.

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

Stories to look out for at TFC Republic 

Former Toronto FC midfielder Jayden Nelson has found a new lease on life with the Vancouver Whitecaps. The 22-year-old from Brampton, Ont., is playing the best football of his career since coming back to MLS after stints with clubs in Norway and Germany, and has played a big role in helping the Whitecaps climb to the top of the Supporters' Shield table. I recently caught up with Nelson, a former TFC youth academy product, to talk to him about how he looks back upon his time with Toronto FC. Look for my feature story in the coming days.  

Other stories that will be published later this week include:           

• A feature story on Tyrese Spicer.  
• In-depth pre- and post-game coverage of Toronto's match vs. the Philadelphia Union.    
• An audio interview piece with Matthew De George of Daily Times Sports ahead of Wednesday's home game vs. Philadelphia.  
• In-depth pre- and post-game coverage of Toronto's match vs. Charlotte FC.    
• An audio interview piece with Carroll R. Walton of the Charlotte Ledger ahead of Saturday's home game vs. Charlotte.  
• 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.