Ever since joining the league in 2007, it's been a roller coaster ride for Toronto FC. For their first eight seasons in the league, they failed to make the playoffs, but found some success soon after. They created an epic MLS Cup series against the Seattle Sounders, playing them in the final game in all of 2016, 2017, and 2019. Seattle took the first one in penalties, while TFC grabbed their lone title in the middle meeting, but the Sounders took back what was theirs in 2019. During the strange COVID-19 season, Alejandro Pozuelo won MVP and Toronto FC had a solid year, but their extra time knockout against Nashville SC put them on a downhill track to the current day. In 2021, TFC finished at 6-18-10, and 2022's 9-18-7 was barely an improvement. Across the last couple of years, Toronto has endured a multitude of failed signings and bad roster decisions. But in 2023, they're hoping they have fixed some of those problems.
Toronto FC made the signings they had to during the off-season, adding help at every line of the team. They acquired their new starting goalkeeper through free agency, adding former NYCFC netminder Sean Johnson to help a spot that has not been good in a long time. At center back, TFC added Sigurd Rosted from Brøndby IF after a long process of negotiations across multiple months. Also in the back, FC Dallas legend Matt Hedges jumped on board after spending his entire over-a-decade career in Frisco. At left back, Raoul Petretta came in from Turkey's Kasimpasa to replace Domenico Criscito, who seemingly retired from the game just to escape Toronto and rejoin Genoa. Most of the additions came in the back, but they did bring back Victor Vazquez in the midfield, grabbing the 36-year-old from the LA Galaxy during the Re-Entry Draft. Up top, Toronto set up another reunion, between Bob Bradley and his former LAFC striker Adama Diomande. Diomande is a big bodied striker that may naturally start due to the other options just... not being that good. They sent Jayden Nelson to Rosenborg for $1m, while Luca Petrasso joined Orlando City. Chris Mavinga left for LA Galaxy and Jacob Shaffelburg joined Nashville SC permanently. The GK room saw a revamp, as Quentin Westberg was shipped off to Atlanta, Alex Bono to DC United. Doneil Henry found a home in Minnesota, meanwhile Noble Okello, Auro, and Achara all saw the door as well. Eleven players out, seven brand new ones in.
Based on the sheer size of paragraph two, Toronto FC were one of the busiest in MLS during the past few months. Their fans demand more, and team President Bill Manning is looking to bring the glory days back. Now for the projected starting lineup, with Sean Johnson headlining in goal. Sigurd Rosted and Matt Hedges will create an entirely new combo, with Lucas MacNaughton and Shane O'Neill behind them. Petretta is the only viable option at left back, while Richie Laryea is the easy choice on the right. Michael Bradley continues to hold his spot in the center midfield, just behind Jonathan Osorio and Mark-Anthony Kaye. Depth at center mid is extremely rough right now, which is easily the biggest hole in this team. On the wings, the Italian combo of Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi will look to wreak havoc on Major League Soccer. Former Syracuse forward DeAndre Kerr and Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty are depth wingers. The options at striker are interesting, but it seems like Adama Diomande will start from day one. Jesus Jimenez looked pretty brutal over the course of the entire 2022 season, outside of the months of March and April where he scored seven out of his nine total goals. Ayo Akinola has had his moments as well, but he probably hasn't shown enough recently to start. With all of this in mind, Toronto FC have a capable lineup for 2023. The back line is where they had to improve, and they did, changing three of the starters. We know what to expect from the Italians, but the rest of the midfield and attack will need to prove that they can perform and support the work of both Insigne and Berna on the flanks. It's difficult to predict where they will end up in 2023, but they will undoubtedly be an exciting team to watch.
Projected XI: GK: Johnson
DEF: Petretta, Rosted, Hedges, Laryea
MID: Bradley, Osorio, Kaye
FWD: Insigne, Bernardeschi, Diomande
Off-Season Grade: B+
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