TFC Republic Weekly: September 2-8

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 offer a glimpse of what to expect at TFC Republic in the coming days. 

So, without further ado... 

TFC drops valuable points in home loss to D.C. United

The good news for Toronto FC is that it remains in the thick of a tight playoff race. The bad news is TFC squandered a chance to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the trailing pack in the Eastern Conference following a disappointing 3-1 loss to D.C. United at BMO Field on Saturday.   

TFC looked to have secured a draw with a late equalizer by substitute Deandre Kerr, only to concede with two minutes left in regulation and again in injury time to let a valuable point slip through their fingers.    

Although Toronto (10-15-3) remains in eighth place and continues to hold down the second-last playoff berth in the East, the teams below them in the table are catching up. The Philadelphia Union, Atlanta United and D.C. all moved to within four points of TFC with their wins on Saturday, and they all have a game in hand. Orlando City, seventh in the East, also won to move four points clear of the Reds.   

"The lads are disappointed; I’m disappointed. Certainly, in a playoff run, you have to be disciplined through that last 30 minutes of the game, and we weren't. …So, that's the message, if you are going to make the playoffs, if you're going to push for a genuine playoff run, you have to respect that defending part of the game,” coach John Herdman told reporters after the game. 

John Herdman issues stern warning after loss

John Herdman didn't mince words after Toronto's loss to D.C. on Saturday.

Herdman felt TFC lacked urgency and were too complacent against D.C., especially in a match against an Eastern Conference rival that is trying to catch them in the table. It's something he plans to address during the next two weeks when the Reds are off due to the international break before returning to action on Sept. 14 when they host Austin FC.

"As a staff collectively, as a player group, we have to die on the pitch and put everything out there for the fans, for each other to reach our goal. And I think we just didn't feel it. I didn't feel like we were all there ready to die for that performance," Herdman said in the post-match press conference

He also warned that if the club is going to qualify for the playoffs that everybody has to be much better.

"As a staff collectively, as a player group, we have to die on the pitch and put everything out there for the fans, for each other to reach our goal. And I think we just didn't feel it. I didn't feel like we were all there ready to die for that performance ... If we really want to reach what I think we are capable of, we’ve got to die for it. We’ve been on a decent run and tonight again it’s that Jekyll and Hyde TFC," Herdman stated.

Transfer deadline closed, but TFC can still make moves

The closure of the MLS secondary transfer window last month means teams can't make any more trades involving players or transfer signings for the rest of 2024. 

However, clubs can still sign free agents – players who are out of contract and unattached – so long as they do so by the MLS roster freeze date of Sept. 13. 

Among the other options still on the table for TFC are: 

• Loaning or selling a player to a non-MLS club, subject to the receiving club's applicable federation's transfer window, 
• Making trades with other MLS teams that don't involve players (draft picks, international roster spots, general allocation money and other assets), 
• Signing homegrown players from its youth academy, 
• Calling up players on loan from TFC 2. 

So, there's plenty of important work that GM Jason Hernandez can complete even though the transfer window is now closed. 

Aside from the possible signing of free agents, you'd have to think that accumulating general allocation money (GAM) would be at the top of Hernandez's to-do list. The more money he accumulates between now and the opening of the MLS primary transfer window in January, the better position he'll be in to strengthen Toronto's roster ahead of the 2025 campaign. 

CanMNT vs. United States on Saturday 

After strong showings at this summer’s Copa América, Toronto FC’s Jonathan Osorio and Richie Laryea have been recalled by the Canadian men’s team.  

Last week, coach Jesse Marsch unveiled his 23-man roster for this month’s international friendlies, and included in his list were TFC’s captain and wingback. Canada is scheduled to face the United States in Kansas City (Sept. 7) and Mexico in Arlington, Texas (Sept. 10). These games will be Canada’s first since its fourth-place showing at the Copa América.     

Other familiar names in the Canadian team include fullbacks Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) and Alistair Johnston (Celtic), midfielder Stephen Eustáquio (FC Porto), and forwards Jonathan David (LOSC Lille) and Cyle Larin (RCD Mallorca).    

Osorio, 32, has nine goals and eight assists in 78 appearances (54 starts) for Canada since making his international debut in 2013. Laryea, 29, has one goal and five assists in 55 appearances (44 starts) for Canada since earning his first cap in 2019. Both players featured in all six games at the Copa América. Osorio and Laryea won’t miss any games for TFC while they are away on international duty.   

"I think in terms of maturity level and understanding what real games are about, those guys are at a very high level. And even as I've watched them get back into the fold with TFC, they've helped stabilize the performances for Toronto, and it's not by accident that they're important for us, that they're important for Toronto, and that their professionalism and understanding of what the best games are about is at a very high level," Marsh said. 

"So, they'll continue to be a big part of our national team. I know that they're a big part of what they do in Toronto, and a big part of it is their maturity and professionalism. I'm excited to see those guys again, and we'll be for sure using them in everything that we do, including performances on the pitch once we get back together." 

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

Stories to look out for at TFC Republic

Shane O'Neill has had an up and down season for Toronto FC. The veteran centre back had a strong start to the campaign and looked revitalized under John Herdman while playing in a new-look back three. But then he suffered a hamstring injury in April that sidelined him until late June. Since coming back, the long-time MLS defender has reestablished himself as a key starter for the Reds. How does O'Neill view the current campaign on a personal level? I recently spoke to him one-on-one to get his thoughts. Look for this feature story later this week. 

Other stories that will be published later this week include:                 

• My piece on the state of the union at Toronto FC. 
• My “Random Thoughts on TFC” column.  
• My story on former Reds goalkeeper Alex Bono 
• A new audio interview piece with Jeff Carlisle of ESPN ahead of Saturday's Canada vs. United States match. 
• In-depth pre- and post-game coverage of Canada's friendly vs. the U.S.   
• Part two of our Q&A with Forge FC coach Bobby Smyrniotis. 
• An audio interview with CPL Executive Vice President Costa Smyrniotis 
• The TFC 2 report with James Grossi.    
• 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 Jojo Yanjiao Qian/Forge 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.