Toronto FC: 3 things we learned from 2019 season

Toronto FC made it all the way to MLS Cup in 2019, eventually falling to the Seattle Sounders. Here are three things we learned from an up-and-down campaign

Despite a slow start to the 2019 season, Toronto FC managed to make a miraculous playoff run, finishing runners up to the Seattle Sounders in the club’s third MLS Cup appearance in four years. By the end of the year, it was quite the campaign. But it did not always run smoothly.

They began the season by winning their first three matches, but then found victories hard to come by prior to and during the Gold Cup. The Reds won just five of the fourteen matches preceding the Gold Cup, which was largely the result of their inability to defend. Greg Vanney’s side scored 23 goals during this period (1.6 goals per 90 minutes), while conceding 22 (1.57 per 90 minutes). With Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Jonathan Osorio, and Ashtone Morgan unavailable over the next five matches due to their international commitments, Toronto FC’s struggles continued, picking up one win and conceding two goals per game.

Buoyed by the returns of Altidore, Bradley, and Osorio, as well as the additions of center-back Omar Gonzalez and winger Nicolas Benezet, Vanney’s men turned things around in the second half of the regular season en route to the club’s third trip to the MLS Cup. Toronto FC only lost two of 15 games to close out the regular season, becoming a more balanced side due to Vanney’s switch to a 4-3-3 formation, as well as Gonzalez’s contributions at the back.

TFC excelled in attack as they had prior to the Gold Cup, finding the back of the net 1.7 times per 90 minutes, and improved defensively, allowing 1.3 goals per 90 minutes also. Toronto FC secured home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs by defeating the Columbus Crew on Decision Day. But their victory came at a cost as Altidore sustained a quad injury during a collision with Crew defender Jonathan Mensah that would render him unavailable until MLS Cup. To make matters worse, Gonzalez picked up a hamstring injury in preparation for the playoffs that kept him on the sidelines until the final as well. Nevertheless, Toronto FC battled their way to the finals, knocking off D.C. United in extra-time prior to pulling off dramatic upsets over NYCFC and Atlanta United.

Eventually, however, they fell short, losing 3-1 to the Seattle Sounders in MLS Cup. They dominated the match, but the absence of Altidore to provide an attacking focal point was hard-felt and chances were difficult to create. It was a successful year that ultimately ended in disappointment.

Here are three things we learned from Toronto FC’s 2019 season.

3. Toronto FC need an alternative to Altidore

My suggestion that Toronto FC ought to acquire another striker is not an indictment of Jozy Altidore. The American international performed well despite being limited to 23 appearances as a result of injury issues and international duty, finishing second to Alejandro Pozuelo in both goals (12) and assists (5). Though 12 goals might seem like a meager tally for a striker of Alitdore’s caliber, he was more effective than the raw data suggests. He scored nine goals in 18 starts, which is not a bad strikerate at all.

It may also seem odd to criticize the offensive capabilities of a team that found the back of the net as often as Toronto had during their 2019 campaign. They scored 57 goals in the regular season, after all. But the lack of flexibility limiting TFC’s attacking play accounts for their need to acquire a striker with a profile differing from Altidore’s.

Toronto FC would be wise to add a pacey and direct striker to their roster to avoid predictability. Altidore excels at playing with his back to goal, winning aerial duels, and off-ball movement, but lacks the speed required to play on the shoulder of the last defender and latch onto balls played beyond his marker. As such, TFC’s patient offensive approach became stale and stagnant at times, since their opponents were able to get men behind the ball and defend in a compact mid-to-low block.

Moreover, they struggled to pose a threat on the break without a quick striker to lead the line, finding the back of the net just twice via counter-attacks during the regular season according to WhoScored. Toronto FC are currently in the market for another attacker and have been linked with a move for Mario Balotelli this week. Hopefully the club’s upper brass bring in a striker whose abilities can be utilized by Vanney to diversify the offensive approach of a dangerous attacking side rather than sign a big-name player to excite fans.