East Side Stand Up

Yes another scoreless ninety minutes for Toronto FC, in similar weather, with the majority of chances. It was a tough match to bear back in December and four months later, well not much changed. TFC's inaugural home opening opponent, Kansas City, returned but only managed one point this time in a 0-0 draw that saw Giovinco and Jonathan Osorio miss key chances to snag all three points. Instead the offence is sputtering early on in 2017 and the Reds will need to get into fifth gear coming into this weekend's match against Atlanta.

That's all TFC needed to get past their west coast Canadian rivals Vancouver Whitecaps in a 2-0 win. Three points on the road were key heading into the home opener and the start of the season is now looking pretty good. Brek Shea's red card opened up the game for the Reds as substitutions of Victor Vasquez and Raheem Edwards were the right move to change the face of the game and lead to the win. Vasquez and Altidore both contributed on each goal and with a week's rest, TFC should be feeling confident going back to BMO Field.

The Reds manage to net two goals in Philadelphia, but could not keep a lead as the Union levelled the game that finished 2-2. It was a gritty affair in the opening forty-five, but oddly enough once Giovinco left with injury, TFC came alive in the second half and probably should have done better than a single point. It is back to back games where they might have done more, but it's early on in the campaign with bigger games ahead, most notably next weekend against Vancouver where three points would do well to lift the side ahead of the home opener at the end of March.

Yes a 0-0 draw saw a near-identical MLS-Cup Finals Reds side get their chances against Real Salt but could not come away with the big W. Thankfully, this match was the start of the season and in the big picture, likely will be forgotten. However, there were several chances for the three points and much to discuss as the eleventh campaign for TFC begins. Unfortunately, there is only so much on the pitch to go over as there is plenty in the news off the pitch and we run through the week that was in Toronto.

Ian Clarke and Aaron Neilsen discuss the 2016 Sigma Showcase prior to an interview with Sigma FC's Technical Director Bobby Smyrniotis. First is a discussion surrounding the Sigma showcase and thoughts on the event, then moving into player development and how the NCAA leads to the MLS Combine and SuperDraft. Then is the interview with Bobby Smyrniotis, who discusses what the showcase means for soccer in Southern Ontario, then looking at this year's class, the players heading into the 2017 SuperDraft and finally going over what the Canadian Premier League could mean for them and Canadian Soccer.

It's all ESSU as Paul Marhue and Ian Clarke look back on the year that was for TFC. A quick, as painless as possible review of the MLS Cup then circles back to the start of the campaign, through the dog days of summer and into the playoffs that noted huge wins of Philadelphia, New York City FC and the unforgettable conference semi-finals against Montreal. Then it's all about the "best of" or awards as we look at the best matches, signings, young players and name or player of the year before a quick discussion on what to expect for 2017.

Have we accepted this yet? Toronto FC lose the MLS Cup in penalties after the Sounders scraped through 120 minutes without a shot on goal. It's a tough pill to swallow for TFC supporters as the chances were few, and the one golden chance was turned away with cat-like karma reflexes by Stefan Frei. It's not the most positive ESSU, but we do our best to get through a difficult episode where we felt somewhat robbed with how it all went down.

Let's be honest, who would have thought we'd still be talking TFC in early December? Not me. But here we are and we are all in, still speechless after the Reds hoist the Eastern Conference title, but careful not to celebrate too much as there is still business to take care of. That is in an old expansion foe in the Seattle Sounders, who have gotten the better of TFC many times since 2009 and this could be the year where Toronto finally edges ahead of their west coast expansion rivals. It will be a tough one-off affair, but one with home-field advantages and a team peaking at the right time. We cannot wait to knock out one more post-game ESSU in a few days time.

The Reds make history and appear to be a team of destiny as they came back not once, but twice, to get past the Montreal Impact 7-5 on aggregate after extra time. It was one of those rare instances where there were no weak links as key and role players all contributed on an amazing result. From Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore to Justin Morrow and Nick Hagglund, it was a match and performance that will not be forgotten. Up next is the MLS Cup as the Reds host the Sounders and look to finish the job on what has been an incredible ride thus far.

TFC get out of Montreal with some respectability and critical away goals in a 3-2 loss to the Impact. The Reds managed to fight back from a 3-0 deficit and showed grit and determination rarely seen over the last decade. It has been the hallmark of the side for the last two months, one that has stayed in game and fought until the end. Goals from Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley give TFC supporters hope that the home leg of this round can end with a win and sending the club into the MLS Cup Final.

It might have "technically" been New Jersey, but a bit of redemption in New York as TFC, in their biggest match in club history, win 5-0 in NYC. The league non-MVP Giovinco stood tall and put in an ... well I guess just average performance with a hat-trick, while birthday boy Jozy Altidore and Jonathan Osorio get the insurance goals. It was perhaps the best win in club history and this team is giving you the feeling the ascent won't hit the tipping point any time soon. Here's looking to Montreal and taking on the Impact for the right to go to the MLS Cup Final.

The Reds take a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference Semi-Final with a 2-0 win over NYCFC. In the driver’s seat, it will take another poised performance to ensure Toronto are in the Conference Finals. It will take another strong outing from Michael Bradley, playmaking from Giovinco, clutch scoring from Jozy Altidore, and contributions from the rest of the squad to keep New York honest. Next weekend will see where TFC fit in what has been a good 2016, but potential still to be reached.

TFC have gotten past the Union 3-1 and will be facing New York. New York, New York, twice if they hope to get to the MLS Cup Final. It was a home playoff match to remember as the Reds definitively dispatched the Philadelphia Union to advance to the Eastern Conference Semi Finals against NYCFC. It was a match with no real weak links as Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Jonathan Osorio and Giovinco all lead the way to earn the win. The next round is a real rivalry and a match up worthy to see first hand as TFC hosts on Sunday night.

Toronto FC finally get a home win and despite not getting a first round bye, will host their first ever playoff game. A 3-2 win over the Chicago Fire was irrelevant in the scheme of the final Eastern Conference standings, as NYCFC's victory put them ahead of the Reds, but the win was critical for any momentum going into Wednesday's match. Now TFC look ahead to the Philadelphia Union who are in a terrible run of form, but one of their few points recently has come against Toronto.

Oh yeah. Something to do with Toronto FC and watching their playoffs pole position slip away. What was such a promising run a month ago has turned into a very poor home stretch as the Reds wrap it up with 2-1 loss to DC United. The Giovinco-less side struggle to both clinically finish chances as well as remain focused on defence as they are now in a run of form that is not desirable heading into the playoffs. Toronto are in it, but how far will they go and will we get to see them deliver at home? The last two games will tell us much and this end of season will be one to watch.

Well, TFC draw the Philadelphia Union after a similar display from the previous week that was a tale of two halves that had Toronto looking quite poor in the opening forty-five, but finally coming alive in the second half to salvage a point. In truth, both teams have a case to not coming away with more, but the Reds should have been able to put this one away and secure a home fixture in the post-season. There is plenty to discuss on the field and in the stands and Spark and Andre are in good spirits going over the latest TFC result.

The team that clinches, instead of getting eliminated, from a playoff spot in September! The Reds fight back for a 3-3 draw with the New York Red Bulls to all but send themselves into the playoffs for the second straight season, but most importantly keep them in a position to be top of the Eastern Conference. It was a positive display from Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Jonathan Osorio - key players when sans- Giovinco, and it gives hope that the side will keep pace for the Supporters Shield and a coveted home playoff fixture.

Toronto FC get a result in Orlando, first reversing an earlier loss, but most importantly with the 2-1 propel themselves top of the Eastern Conference. It has been a month to remember as the streak has been impressive, most if it to do with players outside of Giovinco. Specifically Jozy Altidore, Tosaint Ricketts, Alex Bono and Drew Moor have been integral in the recent run of form. Ahead of Montreal TFC have confidence and should feel as though they are now officially the team to beat.

Could it be the most posi ESSU ever? Looking back the positivity is somewhat nauseating, however, a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union, away, is something to feel good about. Paul Marhue of ESSU is on board to share all the good feels and discuss an impressive run of results for Toronto FC that includes beating teams they couldn't last year, and getting road results that we only dream of outside of the first eight games of the season. Oh yeah, and Jozy Altidore is a beast. This is not the Twilight Zone, just TFC Posiville and we love it here. At least until the next stinker.

Toronto FC's rain delayed performance was one to forget as they could not put away a 10-man Houston Dynamo and had to settle for a 1-1 draw with one of the worst teams in MLS. However, Spark and Aaron qualify the performance and weigh out the result against the intangibles of playing in Texas during August. Should we have expected more? That is the question, but one answer we have is Jozy Altidore is playing like we hoped at the start of the year and Toronto have looked better with him involved. The next two games will determine how Houston should be measured in the big picture.