East Side Stand Up

A 0-0 draw with Montreal pretty much says it all. It was not an exciting affair, however, a clean sheet is a start, but in the process Toronto couldn't show any teeth and it was all Impact down the stretch. To take something from this, hopefully no one is injured and the Reds will be geared up and ready to take on DC United on the weekend to try and avoid an unprecedented 8 straight losses to start a season.

Toronto FC are killed by mistakes as any chance of snapping what is on track to be the worst start to an MLS season is undone by poor decisions. A Reggie Lambe brace is wasted by slack defending and mental errors and there is little to be positive about in this one. At the end of the day it's an 0-6 start for the Reds with little signs they can turn it around. It will be a tough uphill climb for TFC to get this debacle of 2012 on track.

A 1-0 loss to Chivas USA was underscored by another match with a complete inability to finish chances. Luck is not on Toronto's side this year and now stand 0-5 to start the season. No team has been able to come back from such a start and it will take more than just preparation to turn this around. Next week is against Chicago and they are a team that has always come to BMO Field looking to make an impression.

Toronto FC are now off to their worst start since 2007, losing 2-1 to the Montreal Impact and giving them their first MLS win. It's becoming a reoccurring theme with the Reds in the league that they don't come out with fire in their bellies and don't have alot of ideas moving forward to create a killer ball. Two goals from Montreal on the counter once again highlights a lack of pace in the middle and defence, as Ty Harden and Logan Emory were not able to cope with the pace of Montreal's attackers. The Reds now have a week to try and get their campaign on track against Chivas USA.

Don't stop believing. Toronto FC bowed out of the Champions League in a very rough fashion as Santos Laguna humbled the Reds 6-2, but the score doesn't tell the whole story. Two penalties did in TFC in the worst way, but it cannot be forgotten they punched above their weight several times in the competition and ultimately stood toe to toe, and beat, some teams who were clearly better. With the tournament over for Toronto, it's 100% MLS ... for a month anyways when it all begins again!

That's right, another season and it's as though nothing has ever changed. Struggling at center back, struggling to finish, as Toronto FC are off to a tough start with two losses at home to start the year, and have yet to score at BMO Field. The Crew were there for the taking but the Reds could break through and now must regroup and get ready for their biggest challenge in history in heading to Torrean to face Santos Laguna Wednesday.

The Reds came in with a gameplan and for the most part executed an excellent strategy against Santos Laguna in the Champions League. However, you can never prepare for the degree of antics and straight despicable behaviour of Santos Laguna who were constantly down for the count and a pair of two footed challenges leading to red cards underlined the melee at the end of the game. A 1-1 draw will be tough to overcome in Mexico, but now TFC have a positive result to get their season back on track.

TFC are dropped 3-0 by the San Jose Earthquakes as once again Chris Wondolowski is unable to stay contained and punishes the Reds for two goals. Toronto were flat footed from the start and it was a performance to forget as they were out of it from the beginning and even when they found a way back in it, could not create anything of note. After two great results against Los Angeles, TFC will need to find a way to get their 2012 season on track sooner rather than later.

Toronto FC took a gamble leaving off De Guzman, Koevermans and Morgan, and with their anchor and top player Torsten Frings going down early on, it meant TFC just didn't have the horses to compete with a side like the Seattle Sounders. A David Estrada hat-trick sunk the Reds and once again raises concerns over a back line that doesn't look like it can compete without a sweeper to clean things up. Toronto will have a week to recover and try to get things right before hosting San Jose in their home-opener next weekend.

TFC are through to the Champions League Semi Finals and they do it in style with two beautiful goals that were supported by outstanding goalkeeping. Everyone pulled their weight as it was always going to take a full team effort to overthrow the MLS Cup Champions LA Galaxy.

Then the rest will be ok and back to the usual stuff you're used to. Tim Vickery and Spark set up the show for the 2012 season by going over the Champions League tilt with the LA Galaxy in front of an exceptional crowd of 47,000 at the Rogers Centre, then look to the away leg and take it home looking towards the start of the MLS season.

A late equalizer finishes off year five exactly like year one as Toronto FC draw New England 2-2. What a whirlwind five seasons it has been for both clubs, with New England struggling and Toronto still hoping for better days. The Dutch influence was in effect today as Nick Soolsma and Danny Koevermans scored both goals. We look at the game that was and the team that will be in 2012.

Toronto FC did well to stifle New York over 88 minutes and put in a good showing with the young player stepping up and making an impact. Once again Danny Koevermans proves his worth as his opening goal was was clinical, but like Pumas mid-week, his absence meant the end of the attack and without better quality in defence it was only matter of time. With nothing to play for in the league, all eyes will now go to Dallas after the international break.

Aron Winter knew the approach he needed to take against a technically superior side, and gets the minimum result required to still fight another day - October 18th against Dallas. Richard Eckersley once again stood out and the back four/five were able to soak up pressure with help from the woodwork. Spark and Andre run through the match, formation and players who made the difference in a redeeming performance.

A huge defensive effort from Toronto FC earns them all three points against the Colorado Rapids in a 2-1 win at BMO Field. A streak at home against the Rapids continues, who have never left Toronto with any points, as the Reds were the team to regain some form after a tough mid-week loss. After a listless first half, Toronto came out and Danny Koevermans, Eric Avila and Ashtone Morgan all played to a higher level to ultimately win the game.

San Jose once again find a late equalizer at BMO Field and Toronto FC get to look forward to the Champions League for the rest of this season. A 1-1 draw after a suspicious offside call on Joao Plata erased an insurance goal leaves supporters with a bitter taste in their mouth. We try to look on the bright side as we ate up deep fried twinkies and watched a KISS cover band at the CNE, but that will likely only make us feel more sick after watching the replay of Plata's 'non'-goal. There's a lengthy break for TFC and hopefully they come back recharged to end the season on a high note.

Capitol V. Finally Toronto FC have a win over a top level opponent and give supporters hope that this team is on the ascent. Defeating Real Salt Lake at home is no easy task and Aron Winter made many of the right decisions to ensure his team came out with the win. Milos Kocic more than earned his MOM honours making two key saves down the stretch. It is high optimism now with a great result and it will be needed as the Reds begin a tough final third of the season.

A win is a win? As much as TFC need a 'W', and 2-1 usually would be something to celebrate, an unconvincing scoreline will hurt Toronto in the short-term as Aron Winter now will have tough roster decisions with the games ahead. Spark and Andre go over the win, but how it impacts the approach of Portland and the return leg against Real Esteli and where the team is sitting at this point of the campaign.

Of course losing to FC Dallas 1-0 at home needs to be put into the context of half of TFC's outfield players have never played with each other, or the five other in red. Torsten Frings stands out as the new class of the team and with some mettle in the middle, Toronto looked more the part. It's a tough grind and the end of this season will likely look to the CCL.

That is right - Toronto FC are now the three-time, consecutive Canadian Champs and will be representing this nation in the CONCACAF Champion's league. Player for player it was one of, if not the, best overall performance by the Reds this season and plenty of optimism abounds. Bring on Real Estali!!