TFC Republic Weekly: January 13-19
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...
Happy (belated) New Year from TFC Republic!
I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Happy (belated) New Year, and the best for you, your families and friends in 2025. I'd also like to welcome the many new readers who recently purchased a subscription to TFC Republic. Just a reminder that all subscribers can reach me via email at jmo1897@gmail.com.
After taking a vacation over the Christmas season, I have returned to work which means TFC Republic's hiatus is now over. You can expect regular and daily coverage of Toronto FC through training camp leading up to the Reds' MLS season opener on Feb. 22 away to D.C. United.
This is going to be one of the most important off-seasons in the club's history, so be sure to check back with TFC Republic every day for fresh content as Toronto FC gets set for the 2025 MLS campaign.
Robin Fraser tabbed as Toronto FC's new coach
Toronto FC announced last Friday the hiring of Robin Fraser as its new coach in a move that sees the former two-time MLS defender of the year return to the Reds. He has been signed through the 2027 MLS season.
Fraser, 58, was a key member of TFC's coaching staff during the team's glory years, serving as Greg Vanney's assistant and right-hand man starting in 2015 before leaving the club to take over as head coach of the Colorado Rapids in 2019. He led the Rapids to back-to-back playoff appearances in his first two full years with the outfit and a first-place finish in the Western Conference in 2021, setting a new club record for most points (61) in a season. He was also a finalist for the MLS coach of the year that same season.
A disastrous start to the 2023 campaign – just three wins in 26 league games – saw Fraser get the axe in Colorado. Earlier this year, he was named chief sporting advisor by Connecticut United FC, an MLS NEXT Pro expansion team that will begin to play in 2026.
Prior to his first stint in Toronto, Fraser served as a head coach of Chivas USA and as an assistant with Real Salt Lake and the New York Red Bulls. Fraser's initial run with Toronto was highlighted by the 2017 treble campaign when it won the MLS Cup, Supporters' Shield and the Canadian Championship. During his time as an assistant, the team also won three consecutive Canadian Championships (2016-2018), qualified for the playoffs three times and reached two MLS Cup finals.
TFC have been without a coach since John Herdman announced his departure in November. Since Vanney left after the 2020 season, TFC have cycled through several coaches – Chris Armas, Bob Bradley, Terry Dunfield (interim) and Herdman. So, the appointment of Fraser, who knows MLS and is widely respected within the league, should help to stabilize the club.
Training camp kicks off this week in Toronto
TFC players reported for pre-season medicals on Saturday ahead of the start of training camp this week.
Included in the group of returning players was Lorenzo Insigne, who is coming off a disappointing season that saw him play just 23 MLS games due to injuries and contribute four goals and seven assists.
Insigne's future at the club was called into question when MLSE president & CEO Keith Pelley told reporters in October that the club planned to sit down with the Italian DP in the off-season.
"I think Lorenzo is somebody that is committed to Toronto, has given his heart and soul to Toronto. But in a rebuild, you have to evaluate everything … We will talk to his agent, talk to Lorenzo in the coming couple weeks, understand what his desire is, and look at it from a holistic perspective and make a decision at that particular time," Pelley said.
Whether Insigne will be back at the club for the 2025 season remains to be seen as sources told TFC Republic that the club was actively trying to move the former Napoli captain during the off-season.
Now that Robin Fraser has been installed as the team's new coach, GM Jason Hernandez will be fully focused on retooling his roster ahead of the start of the regular season next month.
TFC parted company with leading scorer Prince Owusu, goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh, defenders Aimé Mabika, Shane O'Neill and Luke Singh, and midfielder Brandon Servania at the end of last season. Midfielder Cassius Mailula is still on loan with Wydad Athletic Club through July with the Moroccan club having the option to make the move permanent.
Toronto also selected three players during last month's MLS SuperDraft, and traded with New York City FC to acquire Brazilian winger Thiago Andrade.
Reds heading to Spain and then Florida for pre-season
TFC are scheduled to leave for Spain this Friday to train at the Marbella Football Center until Feb. 3 for the first leg of pre-season training camp.
The team will then return to Toronto on Feb. 4 before heading to Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 10 to continue camp through Feb. 21.
The Reds will leave Florida and travel directly to Washington, D.C., for their season opener at D.C. United on Feb. 22.
Toronto then plays away to Orlando City on March 1 and FC Cincinnati on March 8 before hosting the Chicago Fire on March 15 in its home opener.
RELATED READING: News | Features | Match reports | Newsletter | Opinion | Q&As | Roster moves | TFC 2 | Audio | Videos
Stories to look out for at TFC Republic
Toronto FC players reported to the BMO Training Ground this past weekend to undergo medicals before the start of the training camp. Before the team travels to Spain this week for the first leg of training camp, new coach Robin Fraser and GM Jason Hernandez will talk to local reporters for the first time in 2025 during a media availability on Wednesday. Look for my in-depth report that same evening.
Other stories that will be published later this week include:
- My story on Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio
- A video blog on the hiring of Robin Fraser
- The latest instalment of our "TFC flashback" history series.
- The reader mailbag.
- 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 Andy Truong/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.