Toronto FC will try to improve on a historic 2017, but how do you keep climbing when you’re already at the top?
Head coach: Greg Vanney
2017 finish: 20-5-9, 69 points; No. 1 East
Posteseason: MLS Cup champion
Season recap
Carrying the burden of a 2016 MLS Cup defeat, Toronto FC returned to the league’s biggest game seeking redemption against reigning champion Seattle. The Canadians prevailed, snatching the title in front of their home crowd with a 2-0 victory.
Toronto is the first team from Canada to be crowned MLC Cup champion. The club also finished a historic 2017 with an all-time high 69 points to win the Supporters’ Shield and took home the Voyageurs Cup for the Canadian Championship.
Talent abounds: One look at the roster and that record-setting season is understandable. Former MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco provided 16 goals, U.S. men’s national team forward Jozy Altidore added 15 and newcomer Victor Vazquez finished the year with eight goals and second in the league with 16 assists. Plus, Toronto has U.S. veteran Michael Bradley holding down the midfield.
2018 goals
Toronto’s Greg Vanney was named MLS Coach of the Year, but he’s done celebrating 2017 success. His goal is to eliminate the few weaknesses he can find.
“It’s more about relationships and combinations,” Vanney said in December. “Whether we look to bring 1-to-3 players, it’s about, ‘How do they fit in with the guys we have?’ We have a good balance, it’s looking at depth, guys who can push.”
Season opener: March 3 vs. Columbus Crew, 1 p.m.
Offseason moves
There will likely be little turnover for the champs. The big spenders are working with limited cap space this offseason, but minor improvements will be made to increase depth.
Signings – F Ayo Akinola.
Trades – N/A
Re-signed – D Drew Moor.
Contract option declined – GK Mark Pais; D Brandon Aubrey; D Oyvind Alseth; M Sergio Camargo; M Armando Cooper; M Benoit Cheyrou (later retired); F – Ben Spencer; F Tsubasa Endoh.
Contract expired – D Steven Beitashour; D Jason Hernandez; D Eriq Zavaleta.
Other – D/M Raheem Edwards (selected by LAFC in expansion draft then traded to Montreal Impact).