Another season with playoff expectations lay ahead for Toronto FC.  No point dwelling on the past.  We’ve been there, done that before.  Enthusiasm from another off-season of seemingly positive change has been tempered by pessimism.  Fool me once.  Fool me twice.  You get the picture.  A wait-and-see approach is fair, and perhaps setting the bar low for the new campaign is best for a group bristling with promise, out to prove the 2015 edition is different than the rest.  External expectations are on thing.  Make no mistake, the time to win is now.  No Toronto FC team has looked more poised to take the next step than this group assembled.  No more excuses.

Find out who TSN soccer analyst Jason deVos believes is the x-factor for Toronto FC

Brandishing this group as a bunch of outsiders fits them fine.  They are the rich kids out to prove they deserve to be driving the fancy car.  Flashy signings and a club flush with cash draws the ire of many.  So be it.  The thing is the mentality of the group gives off a much more blue-collar, lunch-pail kind of vibe.  It’s reflective in new captain Michael Bradley.  The 27-year old is the face of the current squad and regime; a tireless worker with the sole expectation of bringing winning football to Toronto.

There is certainly a different vibe that has come along with the new administration; a fresh set-up and approach with focus on consistency in vision and a clear path how to execute.  It all sounds good and well and has been affectionately referred to as “the project” by many.  It’s an expensive venture and one seen as necessary to establishing a solid foundation to ensure sustainable success.  Again, grandiose future planning is fine.  It all takes a back-seat to the importance of winning now.

Toronto FC made international headlines for the second consecutive off-season through surprise big-name and even bigger money acquisitions.  The substance added trumps the sizzle.  Toronto FC turned the page on Jermain Defoe, making the team markedly better in the process, with the swap for US Men’s National team striker Jozy Altidore from Sunderland, followed by an even bigger splash in signing Italian International striker Sebastian Giovinco from Juventus. 
The duo in attack is a proper fit; Altidore playing in an advanced role with the creative Giovinco playing in the space around.

Altidore struggled in the Barclays Premier League but has a goal-scoring pedigree, outstanding physical make-up and understanding of the North American game to suggest he will thrive.

Giovinco is a natural talent; only standing 5’4” possessing superior speed, quickness, creativity and ability to finish.  Altidore (25), Giovinco (28), and a healthy Bradley, gives Toronto FC three Designated Players in their prime, forming arguably the strongest spine in MLS.  They have to be difference-makers.  The play of Toronto FC’s Designated Players was nowhere near good enough a season ago and good reason the team failed to live up to expectations.

Midfielder Benoit Cheyrou and defender Damien Perquis are other key additions.  Cheyrou (33) brings a Champions League pedigree and looks very much the part alongside Bradley in midfield.  The left-footed player is equally talented on the ball as in distribution.  The club is high on his ability and how influential he can be.  Perquis is a former Polish International, comfortable on the ball providing balance on the left-side of central defence.  He is unquestionably an upgrade to a shaky Toronto FC back line from a season ago.  Returnees Justin Morrow and Jonathan Osorio will be key contributors among the new faces around them.

Greg Vanney remains as Head Coach after taking over last September.  It was baptism by fire for the first-time manager.  Toronto FC fell out of a playoff spot after he took charge, going 2-6-2 in the final two months, finishing seventh place in the Eastern Conference and eight points adrift of the post-season.  Vanney spent the off-season meticulously planning with General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko and his hand-picked staff.  It’s abundantly clear the leadership group at the club is all on the same page (finally) and for the first time ever Toronto FC has a stable squad heading into a new season.

The changes in team play under Vanney have not been subtle.  Vanney’s system requires his wing-backs to get forward into advanced positions with team build-up play regularly coming from the flanks.  Vanney’s team will not be content on soaking up pressure, simply playing on the counter.  The formation in the pre-season has been flexible, starting in a 4-2-3-1 before settling with a 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond.  The passing channels are much more defined and responsibilities seem clear; compact in defence and expansive in attack.  There’s no telling how beneficial a consistent message to a consistent squad can be for this group.

Toronto FC’s biggest challenge will be dealing with their first seven games of the season away from home.  The first stage of a $105 million expansion and makeover of BMO Field delays the home opener until May 10th.  Another challenge will be squad depth and balance.  The arduous 34 game schedule and International/Gold Cup play will force young and unproven players like Daniel Lovitz and Jay Chapman into significant roles.  The quality of team depth will reveal itself, as will the strength on the wings.  For all the talent in the middle of the park, wing-play is a question mark heading into the season.

The time will never be better for a legitimate playoff push.  Two new expansion teams (Orlando City, New York City FC) have pushed Sporting Kansas City and Houston Dynamo to the Western Conference.  DC United, Columbus Crew, and New York Red Bulls could all very well take a step back.  The door is wide open for Toronto FC to take advantage.  Establishing team cohesion as quickly as possible (with upwards of five new faces in the starting XI) and getting the most out of the star players will determine whether this is the year football will finally be played in November in Toronto.  I say get ready to bundle up.  And this time, I mean it.

Prediction: 3rd place (Eastern Conference)

Starting XI

Altidore - Findley
Giovinco
Cheyrou - Osorio
Bradley
Morrow - Perquis - Caldwell - Creavalle
Bendik

Off-Season Transactions

In: F Jozy Altidore (Transfer - Sunderland, England), M Benoit Cheyrou (Free – Marseille, France), M Marco Delgado (Dispersal Draft – Chivas USA), F Robbie Findley (Re-Entry Draft – Real Salt Lake), M/F Sebastian Giovinco (Free - Juventus), M Daniel Lovitz (Reacquired via trade after expansion draft – New York FC), D Damien Perquis (Free – Real Betis, Spain), D/F Eriq Zavaleta (Trade - Seattle)

Out: M Kyle Bekker (Trade - Dallas), F Jermain Defoe (Transfer - Sunderland, England), F Dwayne De Rosario (Option declined), D Doneil Henry (Loan expired), F Dominic Oduro (Trade - Montreal), D Bradley Orr (Loan expired)

National Tour: Vancouver (Mar. 7), Montreal (Oct. 25)