Toronto FC Pre-Season 2017 Roundup

The 2017 Toronto FC Pre-Season took place in California and Florida from Jan 31-Feb 25, with the players taking part in a total of seven matches.

Toronto FC’s pre-season preparations came to an end on Saturday with the team playing a handful of matches against lower and higher level opposition over the month of February. The first training stint saw the Reds head to California, following which they were off to Florida for a more intense camp ahead of the 2017 MLS Campaign which begins on March 4 at Real Salt Lake.

A total of seven matches took place from February 2 to February 25 and Toronto FC won five of them (5-2-0). Here is a quick roundup of the games:

Toronto FC Pre-Season: California leg (Jan 29 – Feb 5)

February 2: Ventura County Fusion 0-3 Toronto FC

TFC won their opener 3-0 in a match that was broken into three 30-minute segments with the aim of helping the players build their match fitness. Nine first-team players who featured in the MLS Cup final (Altidore and Bradley were away on international duty) took part in the first 30 minutes of the match which saw Sebastian Giovinco score to put the Reds in front.

Mo Babouli was subbed in along with nine other players in the second half and made an impression on the manager by scoring two goals by the end of 60 minutes; one was a header from an Endoh cross and the other a curling free-kick just before time.

Other players on the periphery of the squad were introduced as Greg Vanney made more changes for the third 30-minute game, although the scoreline stayed unchanged as it ended 3-0.

February 3: San Diego State University 0-3 Toronto FC

Another 3-0 win for the Reds in a fixture that was similar to the previous one, except with two 45 minute halves and an extra 30 in the end. Jordan Hamilton opened the scoring with a header in the 20th minute as the team failed to convert their chances in an impressive first half.

Following a reshuffle of the team for the second half, he doubled the lead with the help of Jay Chapman. Toronto tripled their lead minutes later courtesy of a deflection and held on to the result till the end, in what was a sharp and aggressive display from the players.

February 4: California State University Fullerton 2-1 Toronto FC

A surprise defeat was in store for Toronto FC as they fell to Cal State Fullerton 1-2 in their last encounter in California. Despite playing with the same kind of intensity as the fixture before and even taking the lead after 15 minutes with the help of Sebastian Giovinco, Greg Vanney’s men couldn’t fashion out any clear cut chances to put the game to bed.

The opposition equalized with a 55th-minute penalty before scoring the winning goal in extra time to condemn the away side to their first loss of the pre-season.

Toronto FC Pre-Season: Florida leg (Feb 13-26)

15th February: Miami FC 1-6 Toronto FC

After flying into Miami on February 13, Toronto FC started off their second training camp in incredible fashion with a 6-1 drubbing of Alessandro Nesta-coached Miami FC. Sebastian Giovinco picked up a first-half brace following Justin Morrow’s early opener as the Reds raced to a 3-0 lead against the NASL side in the first half.

Benoit Cheyrou beautifully slotted in the fourth goal early in the second half after collecting a Jordan Hamilton pass and skipping past a defender. Two more goals were added by trialist Aikim Andrews and TFC II’s Raheem Edwards before Miami FC pulled one back in injury time to take some of the gloss off the final scoreline.

19th February: Orlando City SC 1-3 Toronto FC | Orlando City 0-4 Toronto FC

Toronto FC faced fellow MLS team Orlando City SC in a double header at the Champions Gate Sports Complex and won both games comprehensively. The first match saw most of the senior players take part for both sides while a more youthful approach was taken for the second half.

Jozy Altidore scored the opener for the Reds in the 4th minute and things were going well until a disputed penalty claim saw Kaka level proceedings before the close of the first half. Second half goals from Giovinco and Morrow ensured that the victory went to the visitors as Orlando City SC ran out of steam towards the end of the 90 minutes.

The second match started very much like the first with Toronto FC going 1-0 up, before a three-goal blitz in 10 second-half minutes sealed yet another positive result for TFC.

22nd February: Minnesota United 0-3 Toronto FC

The record was improved to 5-1-0 with a 3-0 dispatching of Minnesota United, which was the first defeat of the pre-season for the opposition. Seven starters from the MLS Cup final were included from the beginning in a match which also featured former Barcelona midfielder and new signing Victor Vazquez, who played his first minutes for the club in the second half.

Giovinco gave TFC the lead with a stunning solo goal which saw him fake past a defender before unleashing a powerful left-footed shot into the top-right corner. The Atomic Ant went on to notch a brace and his sixth goal of the pre-season with a tap-in before half-time, sending the Reds into the break with a two-goal advantage.

Jordan Hamilton made it 3-0 early in the second half after latching onto a delightful through-ball from Benoit Cheyrou and slotting it past the onrushing keeper.

25th February: Chicago Fire 4-1 Toronto FC

The Toronto FC pre-season campaign ended in disappointing fashion after they were put to the sword by Chicago Fire 1-4. Three goals in the ninth, 17th and 38th minutes respectively gave the opponents a 0-3 lead going into the break, and a fourth one was added 30 minutes into the second half.

The Reds’ only consolation from the match was a goal from Tosaint Ricketts in the 89th minute, arising from a spot-kick which was earned by Tsubasa Endoh.

Final Thoughts:

The Toronto FC roster seems to have some much-needed depth this year, which is evident from the number of quality options that have participated in the pre-season friendlies. Despite being on the receiving end of two losses (especially the 1-4 loss to Fire), the players don’t seem fazed and almost look ready for Gameday 1.

The core unit of players looks like a well-gelled one and along with the addition of new signings Chris Mavinga and Victor Vazquez, Greg Vanney’s side could be in for a very promising 2017.