East Side Stand Up

One to remember as TFC finish the season as the highest all time point getters in MLS history. A 2-2 draw was enough to surpass the LA Galaxy and put the Reds in the books as one of the best ever. However, we all agree there is still work to do as Toronto will be looking at the post season as a chance at redeeming themselves from the Cup Final last year. It begins next weekend and sights will be set on a slew of rivals and whether Atlanta will remain in the picture. All opponents offer a good match up and we break it all down on ESSU.

In the south end, with supporters, with the players, it was a night to celebrate but it was dampened by a less than stellar performance as the Reds beat the Montreal Impact 1-0. It was a bizarre afternoon with torrential rain and gusting winds that impacted the pitch, but also the return of key players both from injury and World Cup collapses effected the overall play. In the end, it's three points and TFC need to step it up as they head into Atlanta for the last game of the season and look to repeat their playoff run from 2016.

This is the East Side Stand Up podcast for the September 30th game in 2017 which featured Toronto FC against the New York Red Bulls.

The Reds looked absolutely brutal in a calamitous display against Montreal, who punished them over and over for a 5-3 result. It was a disaster from the get go as Alex Bono hoofed the ball off Piatti's back into goal and it never looked good from there. Yes, Tosaint Ricketts scored a brace, but getting back into the game from allowing five goals is next to impossible. Was it a match to get out of our system? Here's hoping as TFC need to get healthy and primed as they head down the stretch for the 2017 playoffs.

Toronto FC once again put forth a dominant home display, this time taking out the San Jose Earthquakes 4-0 courtesy of a Jozy Altidore brace. However, it was what is becoming a classic home performance where there were no weak links and everyone chipping in from Victor Vasquez to Steven Beitashour, with Jonathan Osorio adding in insurance at the end. It was a near-perfect performance with a passing and possession highlighting the afternoon. Looking ahead, TFC are into the homestretch for the playoffs and have some key fixture to watch as they are in a position for a season of greatness.

Back with Aaron Neilsen, a bit behind on the recording, we look back at the 3-1 win over the Montreal Impact but instead of running through the match minute-by-minute, we have a more overarching discussion on the state of the club. We look at, compare and contrast them, to other "super" clubs in MLS history and run through some key performers in the month of August. Then we look ahead to the playoffs approaching and Supporter Shield race.

Yes, going solo once again, and once again it is celebrating a TFC win. The Reds keep on rollin' as they dispatch the Chicago Fire on the road and continue to establish themselves as the top contender in MLS and ignite the conversation of them being the best team in league history. It was another solid display as Marky Delgado, Alex Bono and Michael Bradley all stood apart in putting forth strong performances to ensure the win. Looking ahead, the Union come to BMO but likely TFC will be eyeing next weekend's clash against the Montreal Impact.

Toronto FC delivers them all, as they dispatch the Portland Timbers 4-1 at BMO on a sunny Saturday afternoon. It was another impressive display at home, lead once again by the creativity of Giovinco, with the finishing of Justin Morrow and support of Victor Vasquez. With some missing pieces, the Reds still managed to look dominant for long stretches and the second half completely took the heart of the Timbers to walk away with all three points. It was a critical result ahead of next weekend's clash against Eastern Conference contenders Chicago Fire that will open up the title race and playoff positions.

Toronto FC mangle NYCFC 4-0 and make several statements of who is the boss in the Eastern Conference. The visitors tried to go toe-to-toe, but on this day TFC were more determined and lead by their DP dynamo, Giovinco. David Villa the best DP of all time? The line has been drawn and once again the Italian came out on top in this fixture, as Giovinco scored a brace and set up his teammates. It was one of the best afternoons in recent memory and the Reds remain as serious contenders for the Supporters Shield, and look to build more momentum as the turn the corner towards the 2017 post-season.

Ok, well WE would have gotten the slice of pizza as the Reds drew 1-1 with the woeful Colorado Rapids. It was a cagey affair with the opposition happy to foul and happy to cramp up at every opportunity in order to drag the result into a draw. At the end of the day the ploy worked as Toronto could not get any real momentum after Benoit Cheyrou left injured in the first half. It was a game of real highlights and lowlights, as Giovinco, Clint Irwin and Jay Chapman all looked good, but the Rapids did their best to make it an ugly match with plenty of stoppages. The referee did not help the cause as he was unable to control the antics and the match ended earlier than it should have, but quite simply it was a game to move on from and forget.

Yes, it's another 2-0 home victory for the Reds, who keep on bettering opposition at BMO Field, despite playing at near exhaustion. On two days rest, Toronto mustered up a solid home display where there were no glaring weak links in the squad and the quality was enough to grab all three points. Determination and commitment abounds, it really came down to an Alex Bono super save and Giovinco's last second insurance goal to seal what was an entertaining Friday night of football.

Yes, it's become an ordinary score for TFC at home, however, it wasn't the usual result as it took the second half for the Reds to score their goals and DC United proved to be more stubborn than several other better sides in MLS. After a poor game in New England, Sebastian Giovinco bounced back with two assists that set up two solid goals from Jozy Altidore and Jordan Hamilton. It was a much needed three points as TFC are looking ahead at a crazy schedule that won't let up until the end of the summer.

A 3-0 loss to New England snaps TFC’s league unbeaten run and also puts Greg Vanney’s lucky shirt in the incinerator. I always thought that shirt was overhyped and it did not live up to it’s billing - oh and neither did Giovinco, who has been struggling to find his lethal form from the last two seasons. It was a forgettable result and one that likely was not watched by many people as the dog days of summer are upon us and matches with plenty of squad rotation. With a break ahead, it will do the team well as their next opponent is the struggling DC United.

Yes, a Trillium Cup to remember, and everyone's favourite trophy is lifted by the Reds via a 5-0 demolition of a hapless Columbus Crew. It was impressive in many aspects, as there was no Giovinco or Jozy, the team went down to ten men, and the final goals game in the dying minutes through classy finishes from players who appear to be on the fringe of the starting eleven. It was a pleasant return to form after a poor mid-week, and also erased any doubts the team would slip after their draw in New York City.

Oh well, what's important is the TFC locomotive keeps steamrolling ahead, and their sixth victim in a row is the expansion Minnesota United, who were dropped 3-2 at BMO Field. What's also impressive is the four wins in a two week span, and two of those wins were likely not expected at all. Greg Vanney rotates the line up on Saturday and they still grind out the victory. It's all coming up TFC these days and there is little to be critical of - but we still find a way to nitpick as even with an impressive start to 2017, comprehensive performances have been few and there is still room for this team to improve.

Was it redemption, revenge or any kind of satisfaction? No, not really. However, there was some confirmation that what happened in December 2016 was how TFC supporters saw it, that being the Reds were the better team, and with key players missing in 2017 went to Seattle and took all three points. It was a big performance from Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, while the depth players such as Jay Chapman, Raheem Edwards and Jason Hernandez were key to the result - putting faith in the complete roster that with players missing, TFC can still compete with the best.

That's right, an old foe from 2007, much like last week's Chicago Fire, went down to the Reds at BMO via a thorough 2-0 victory. Last week it was Giovinco, this week it was Jozy Altidore who scored the brace and left supporters feeling confident the team is beginning to hit their stride as top contenders. It wasn't just the goals, as Victor Vasquez and Raheem Edwards continue to emerge as key players, with Vasquez pulling the strings and Edwards really making the most of his opportunity. Up next is Orlando City then Seattle where TFC will be put to the test if they can maintain their current form.

TFC earn their first comprehensive victory of 2017, courtesy of a Giovinco brace, a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Fire. The Italian DP had fire in his belly as he was in vintage form taking shots whenever openings occurred, and topped it off with two slick finishes. But it wasn't a one man show, as the defence held up without Drew Moor and the midfield looked solid. It was a match of few complaints, and a performance needed ahead of two more tricky opponents in the Houston Dynamo and Orlando City.

Yes, the Reds, unbeaten in five (1W-4D-0L) ends with a 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew to not only keep them near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, but behind their rivals in the prestigious Trillium Cup. TFC got off to a solid start, opening the scoring and looking the better side, but lapses in focus, both in finishing and defending, were enough to undo any chances at points. Toronto will need to step it up a notch quickly as three home games in a row should be an opportunity for nine points, but if this form continues, will be opportunities lost.

Toronto FC once again come up short of all three points at BMO Field as a back and forth match ended in a 2-2 draw with Atlanta United. Even going up a man in the final stretch of the match wasn't enough of an advantage as the Reds played better at even strength and could not muster the game winning goal. Atlanta burned Chris Mavinga twice, but on the home side, both Victor Vasquez and Armando Cooper put in solid performances, while Giovinco opened his scoring account for 2017. It's still early in the season and TFC aren't falling behind, but sooner than later Toronto will want to see a win in our home field.