How To "Fix" Toronto FC Heading Into 2024
In a tough Eastern Conference, Toronto FC were the first club to officially become eliminated from playoff contention. What went wrong for Toronto in 2023? Toronto FC had little depth from the jump this season. Then, once injuries began to build up, Toronto had a larger issue which included internal strife. Bob Bradley lost the locker room (then his job), their Italian stars became clearly unhappy, and academy products did not seem ready for MLS action. But let’s take a look at this roster as it is in 2023:
Designated Players: Winger - Lorenzo Insigne, Winger Federico Bernardeschi, and CM Jonathan Osorio
U22 Initiative Players: ST - Ayo Akinola and DM Franco Ibarra
There are a ton of issues, and some positives for Toronto FC here. Let’s start with the positives, and 31 year old Canadian Men’s International midfielder Jonathan Osorio. Osorio was rewarded in being named a Designated Player not too long ago, but 2023 was not his best season. He did have 4 goals and 6 assists in league play, but I am not sure if I would be able to say at this point he is deserving of that “DP” title. However, the positive here is that “Oso” is a leader for this club and should remain at TFC. I also do think that he has a contract which can be bought down to a high TAM level. Another positive is that Toronto FC can also open up some U22 Initiative spots in 2024, first when Franco Ibarra heads back to Atlanta after the expiration of his loan deal. Their other U22 spot is occupied by Ayo Akinola who is currently on loan at San Jose. If Ayo leaves (which I could see happening) that opens up a spot. If Ayo stays (which I could also see happening) he is reunited with John Herdman who he succeeded with at the international level. Now, the negatives… the two green, white, and red negatives. Former Serie A stars Insigne and Bernardeschi have not been a success within MLS. The two DPs have played a combined 80 games in a season and a half for Toronto FC. Their combined goal contributions have been 24 goals and 15 assists. Those numbers might not seem awful, but the consistency in which they’ve produced for TFC just has not been there enough for them to be high end DPs… in which they are being paid for, especially Insigne. With off the field drama, suspensions, and comments made by both players as well, I do feel like there is a strong chance we see the front office sell and move on from the two Italians.
Now, let’s take a look at the club’s potential upcoming players leaving:
Player With A 1 Year Club Option Post 2023 Season: Striker - CJ Sapong, Attacking Midfielder - Victor Vazquez, and GK - Greg Ranjitsingh
Players Leaving Club Due To Loan Deal Expiring: DM - Franco Ibarra
Players Retiring: DM - Michael Bradley
There is a lot here for Toronto FC. First off, Michael Bradley is retiring. When a club legend and captain is leaving after the time he has had in Toronto, that leadership needs to be replaced. Also, that leadership needs to be replaced especially when other “veterans” have had negative impacts on locker room chemistry. I personally don’t think that Toronto FC should pick up Franco Ibarra IF offered to them by Atlanta. I would move forward with the defensive midfielders that the club has on its roster. Now, the three player options that this club has in Sapong, Vazquez, and Ranjitsingh. Though I respect all three of these players all for various reasons… I think it’s time for the club to move on from them. My only argument would be for keeping CJ Sapong. He could be the type of player who could be a MLS veteran leader and backup striker option. However, unfortunately my end take here is… cut the players you can.
What does this 2024 team look like?
Unlike Colorado, Toronto has their manager figured out for 2024 and beyond. Former Canadian Women’s and Men’s National Team manager John Herdman will lead Toronto FC into the future. In the final three games for Toronto, we saw that Herdman is going to want to play with three in the back, similar to what he did with Canada. So, if we are assuming that Herdman will play a 3-4-3, here is how I feel he should try to line-up in 2024:
Left Wing: Need to transfer Insigne and make a DP level signing
Striker: Ayo Akinola
Right Wing: Need to transfer Bernardeschi and make a DP level signing
Left Wing-Back: Cristian Gutierrez
Central Midfielder: Jonathan Osorio
Defensive Midfielder: Brandon Servania
Right Wing-Back: Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty
Left Centerback: Sigurd Rosted
Centerback: Aime Mabika
Right Centerback: Need to sign a MLS veteran
Goalkeeper: Sean Johnson
Bench: Tomas Romero, Kobe Franklin, *Need a CB signing*, Alonso Coello, Latif Blessing, Deandre Kerr, Prince Osei Owusu
Obviously, this isn’t the same starting XI and bench that you can go into every single 2024 match with. Injuries happen, suspensions happen, shit happens… but, this is a rough idea of the “best” 18 in my eyes. If Toronto FC follow my plan and move on from Insigne and Bernardeschi, I am taking as much money as I can and I am throwing that right back into Designated Players. But this time, let Herdman get his crack at DP wingers, two that fit his system. I truly feel like the idea could work in Toronto, especially if Herdman can get the most out of Akinola again… he could have an immediate turnaround of attack next season. Personally, I would go after two wingers that like to bring the ball inside. With this system Herdman has, the two wing-backs of Marshall-Rutty and Gutierrez could stretch the field wide for him. This could allow two high level wingers to close down the space inside with someone like Osorio. This team would also have the likes of Deandre Kerr, Prince Owusu, and potential loan returnee Kosi Thompson added to the attack as well for next season.
I love their wing-back options. On the left, Cristian Gutierrez made the move to Toronto FC last off-season. I think he is easily an MLS quality left-back and could thrive here for Herdman if given the chance. He has been called into a Canada National Team camp by Herdman as well… making this a potential recipe for success. Then on the right, we have Marshall-Rutty who needs to just play. This kid is uber talented, we all know that and have been hearing of his potential for at least two seasons. Let this kid ball out and run, almost in the Alphonso Davies role for Canada but here for Toronto FC. Pairing those two with the midfield of a box to box guy in Jonathan Osorio and a more defensive player in Brandon Servania… I feel this could be a strong line as well in 2024. On the bench, Herdman would still have Alonso Coello, who proved to be a talented young academy player for them, as well as a MLS veteran in Latif Blessing who brings non-stop energy. There are also a few other Toronto FC II kids that I would give a look at in 2024 to bring up to the first team.
The backline is where help is needed. If Herdman is playing a back three… signings are needed ASAP. Rosted played LCB for Herdman down the stretch in 2023 and the same for Mabika as the central centerback. I don’t personally think that Shane O’Neil or even potential loan returnee Luke Singh is at the level to be starting as a RCB in MLS right now. This team also does NOT need a young centerback on this backline or in their locker room. So, I would recommend the Toronto FC front office to go out and sign a MLS veteran to play that role. Or in a perfect world, buy down Osorio’s contract and sign a “Andreas Maxso-esc” centerback for that role. This would leave bench options of O’Neil, Singh, and I would even suggest going out and signing another centerback as well. In net, Toronto FC is returning MLS and USMNT veteran Sean Johnson. They are locked and loaded here especially with El Salvador National Team keeper Tomas Romero backing him up.
I don’t think that Toronto FC has this GIANT project in front of them, but work is needed. It all starts with John Herdman and the TFC front office making moves. Sell Insigne and Bernardeschi back to Europe where they clearly want to go. Sign two more DP attackers that fit Herdman’s system. I would even buy down Osorio’s contract to a TAM level and sign a DP centerback to be part of Herdman’s back three. Get players healthy and organized in the off-season, as well as get the younger players on this squad into the right positions to succeed. There needs to be some hope that players like Ayo Akinola, Aime Mabika, and Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty can take a step forward in 2024… but this team should and could be a playoff side next year.
