TFC Republic Weekly: March 10-16

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...

1 point from 3 games to start the season for Toronto FC

Toronto FC is still looking for its first win of the season under new coach Robin Fraser after Saturday’s 2-0 loss to FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium.

Kévin Denkey and Yuya Kubo scored second-half goals for the hosts against a TFC side that looked defensively sound for most of the match but lacked an attacking cutting edge in the final third.

Ola Brynhildsen and Federico Bernardeschi ran themselves ragged up top, but Toronto failed to penetrate and lacked a cutting edge in the final third. TFC only registered a single shot on target in the entire game – a tame effort from Kosi Thompson in the 47th minute.

With just one point from their three road games to open the 2025 MLS season, the Reds very much remain a work in progress as they continue to search for their first win under Fraser.

"We're not happy with where we are at the moment, but it's been a tough start, tough schedule. It is what it is, and we have to deal with it. So, no crying over spilled milk. To be quite honest, we've obviously not gotten results in two of the three games we've played so far," Fraser said after the loss.

Injury issues starting to mount for TFC

Wingback Richie Laryea was unavailable for Saturday's game after being subbed out in the 22nd minute of the previous week's defeat in Orlando. Robin Fraser said last Thursday that Laryea's injury was hamstring-related and he was still being assessed.

Injuries are nothing new for Laryea, who was subbed out after only 70 minutes into the 2024 season opener due to an injury. He ended up having hamstring surgery that sidelined him for more than three months. The Canadian finished the campaign with just one goal and three assists in 17 appearances in all competitions.

Defenders Henry Wingo, Raoul Petretta and Sigurd Rosted were also ruled out for Saturday's game with lower body injuries.

"I think there's a possibility we could get a few guys back, but I think most of the situations are kind of day to day. So, it's not like there's a clear timeline for them, but we have a chance to get a few guys back," Robin Fraser said after the loss in Cincinnati.

Reds still mum on Lorenzo Insigne resolution

Robin Fraser maintains Lorenzo Insigne hasn’t played for Toronto FC this season because he doesn’t feel the Italian ranks among the top players who can best help his side win.  

That’s the official line. But multiple sources have told TFC Republic that Insigne is not in the club's plans for this year and that it is trying to move on from the Italian. Whether that means a complete buyout, a mutual contract termination or something else remains to be seen.

Asked after last Thursday’s practice if there is going to be a resolution to the Insigne situation anytime soon, Fraser gave a succinct, “I have no idea.”  

Insigne has been involved in full training with Toronto FC the past two weeks, even though he didn’t travel with the team for its first three road games to open the regular season. Toronto FC’s coach confirmed that Insigne is available for selection. So, why hasn’t the Italian DP been selected? Why has he been frozen out?  

“Because I just choose who I feel like I need to win the game. Obviously, last week I didn't get that right, by about three goals. But certainly, that's the feeling, is to choose who we feel like will give us the best chance to win the game,” Fraser said.  

TFC vs. Chicago Fire on Saturday  

After starting the season with a trio of road games, Toronto FC plays its home opener on Saturday when it hosts the Chicago Fire at BMO Field (2:30 p.m. ET/TSN & Apple TV).   

Chicago opened its campaign with a 4-2 road loss vs. the Columbus Crew and a 2-2 home draw with D.C. United before earning its first win this past weekend in a 3-1 decision away to FC Dallas. Andrew Gutman, Leonardo Barroso and Tom Barlow scored for the Fire, who earned their first win under new coach Gregg Berhalter. 

Barroso subbed into the game in the 78th minute and then found the back of the net six minutes later to become the first Fire player to score in his MLS debut since Robert Berić on March 1, 2020. Goalkeeper Chris Brady recorded his first career penalty save in MLS late in stoppage time. 

Toronto leads the all-time series against Chicago with 14 wins and 13 draws in 38 games. But the Fire are unbeaten in five games (three wins) vs. TFC 

These teams will meet again on Oct. 4 at Soldier Field in TFC's penultimate match of the regular season.   

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

Stories to look out for at TFC Republic 

GM Jason Hernandez had big expectations of Henry Wingo when he signed the American defender last summer. But a series of injuries and fitness issues slowed Wingo down in his return to MLS. Now with a full season ahead of him, the Seattle native is eager to make up for lost time and show why TFC went to great lengths to get him. I recently chatted one-on-one with Wingo on a variety of topics. Look for my feature story in the coming days.

Other stories that will be published later this week include:        

• A TFC notebook column after Tuesday or Wednesday's training session.
• In-depth pre- and post-game coverage of Toronto's match vs. the Chicago Fire. 
• A new audio interview piece with Chicago Fire beat reporter Joe Chatz of On Tap Sports Net ahead of Saturday's game. 
• The return of the TFC Random Thoughts column.
• A new TFC Talk interview with beat reporter James Grossi.    
• A special flashback piece of Toronto's first home opener in 2007
• Regular "TFC Tidbits" stories throughout the week.  
• The return of 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 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.