East Side Stand Up

New Yooooork are shut out by Toronto FC 2-0 as the Reds start the season off on the right foot. Certain underdogs, TFC's defence bent but did not break and as the match wore on, they found their moment down the final minutes - first with Giovinco finding Endoh in the area to draw a penalty, then springing Delgado on a 1v1 for a tidy finish. It's a dream start to the season and three points will go a long way in meeting club President Bill Manning's goal of eight points in the first eight games of the season.

Aaron Neilsen of Prospect XI joins Ian Clarke to run a quick review of the team's last preseason match, a 1-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union, before turning their attention to the upcoming season and specifically the Red's personnel. They run through the squad front to back and highlight concerns, but also their optimism for the 2016 campaign, which should be an improvement from last year's one-and-done playoff appearance.

It's 2016 and there is actually something to build upon as the Reds might have ended last season on a low note, but have some pieces in place to have an exciting team if the right moves are made. Paul Marhue is on the pod as we look back on 2015, specifically Giovinco's campaign and TFC's first playoff appearance. Then we look ahead to this year with players out, players in, and what goals should be actually achievable this season.

The Reds are dropped 2-1 by the Montreal Impact as Didier Drogba demonstrates his worth to his club with a brace within two minutes. Toronto had a first half lead, but the Impact came out in the second half and did what they needed to in order to earn a coveted home game in the first round of the playoffs. Toronto will need to change their approach and eliminate the threat that is Drogba if they are to have any hope of hosting a post-season match in 2015.

Will they finish second? Third? Or sixth? After losing an advantage this weekend via 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew, Toronto FC now have work left next weekend against the Montreal Impact. If TFC had won, they'd have been in the pole position for second place and now could potentially tumble down to sixth if the chips fall against their favour. Despite the loss, the final week of the 2015 season will be one to watch and see if Toronto are primed for their first ever playoff appearance.

Who else? The Italian DP literally flies in from international duty and scores one of TFC's biggest goals in club history. If only more people were watching them instead of the Jays! But fear not, the playoffs are in reach and the next two games will determine where the team sits and who they face in their first ever playoff appearance

Despite the on-field announcer celebrating the team making the post season, then adding "if Orlando loses", the first ever playoff appearance has to wait for another week as the Reds still need points to secure passage. A 3-1 win over Philadelphia instills confidence the teams is on track, but the next three games will be critical to giving support knowledge of whether TFC are a team who will beat the worst teams and struggle against the better ones, or whether they have grown since humbling defeats from August

TFC's Giovinco is tallying up the points, goals and assists, going down as one of, if not the, best ever in the league. His assists, and 'goal', helped lift the Reds to an important 3-2 win over the Chicago Fire. It was a reunion as last year's DP signing Gilberto netted a brace, while this year's DPs for TFC also scored, sort of. As well, south of the border, local-boy Cyle Larin scored a hat-trick to become the all-time rookie leading scorer in the league and is cause for much celebration for a Canadian perspective.

Greg Vanney can breath a momentary sigh of relief as Toronto down the Colorado Rapids 3-1 at BMO Field to earn a critical three points. It was another Giovinco masterclass as the Italian DP did it all with a brace and assist. The second half weather did not slow down the side as they managed it well and were able to see through the score to keep themselves firmly in the playoff race for another week.

Canada eases by Belize 3-0 at home and appear to be on their way to the fourth round of Russia 2018 qualifying. Despite all the possession, it wasn't pretty in terms of the goals and what that means moving forward might not be seen until November. We go over the key players that suited up for Canada, specifically Atiba Hutchinson and Will Johnson, and discuss who else will be needed for the team to have success agains the likes of Mexico and Honduras.

Both midfielders put in a MOTM performances, and both will be staying with TFC through the international break coming up next weekend. Toronto down rivals Montreal Impact 2-1 to create distance between them and also keep pace with the top half of the Eastern Conference. It wasn't a pretty display, but three points were critical to bag all six from the recent home stand. The Reds will need to hope both Benoit Cheyrou and Giovinco's injuries aren't significant as both will be needed to put up a fight against the Sounders.

Toronto FC, at home, were humbled by Sporting Kansas City 3-1. Added, it was an SKC missing their top players. The Reds once again were poor in defence and looked like they were just going through the motions waiting for the final whistle. It is a step back for a team who should be working towards firing on all cylinders ahead of the final stretch to the playoffs. With mostly home games on the schedule, it might be put behind them, but first up is another away game in New York that will be a tough test.

Our first ever episode in transit, Dan, Stephe and Spark kick it off in BMO Field and discuss what was another Giovinco masterclass as the Italian dynamo catapulted TFC to an impressive 4-1 victory over Orlando City. The opposition did not stand a chance when Seba was in possession, but he had good support from the likes of Benoit Cheyrou, Jonathan Osorio and Collen Warner. Overall, it was a positive result that will go a long way in ensuring TFC are on the home side should they make it to their first post season ever.

Toronto FC once again are letting in goals for fun and reinforcements did not make a difference in a 3-1 loss to New England. Jozy Altidore's red card in the 38th minute did not help the situation but the struggles went beyond being down to ten men. Another match where the Reds appear hopeless and disorganized defending set pieces is what resulted in the goals against and Greg Vanney has his work cut out for him to get the team harmonious from back to front with two critical home games approaching.

Toronto once again are undone by poor defence as they fought back in desperate 3-3 draw with Columbus. It was a more balanced attack from the Reds as it wasn't all Giovinco on this night, however, it was another game where it became an uphill battle to try and leave with something. The addition of Ahmed Kantari will remain to be seen if he is the missing puzzle piece that can improve the defence enough, as TFC are going to become punch drunk if they can't secure the back and keep goals out.

The Italian DP was once again in full control of TFC's result as he had his hand in both goals and almost had a brace as he was too much for the Philadelphia Union in a 2-1 win. It wasn't just Giovinco however, and Jozy Altidore looked good returning from the Gold Cup, Ashtone Morgan was solid at left back and there were few passengers in the side to ensure the Reds came away with an important three points in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto FC draw DC United 0-0 on a soggy, wet afternoon at BMO Field to stay on pace with the conference leaders. The question over the past week is how vital will the dropped home points be in the bigger picture? Aaron Neilsen and Ian Clarke have a broad discussion on the state of TFC, the recent performances and what to take from the latest results. Heading into the Gold Cup there is plenty to review regarding the play of the club to this point, how they will cope through July missing key players, and reintegrate them in August without missing a beat.

TFC were outmuscled by NYCFC and had no Plan B outside of Giovinco to come away with anything in a 2-0 loss. The battle of former Real Salt Lake coaches went to the one with the most experience as Jason Kreis didn't show off his background of fluid football, but was gritty and the perfect solution for a surging TFC and the technique of their attack. It's a match to move on from and use as motivation for Montreal midweek, but also keep in mind for the next time these two sides meet.

The CANMNT advances past Dominica as the younger players shine and give hope for the future. All eyes would have been on the likes of Cyle Larin and Tesho Akindele, but Samuel Piette, Ashtone Morgan and Jonathan Osorio all had their moments looking good for Canada in their 4-0 win over Dominica. The team advances to the next round of qualifying, but up first is the Gold Cup and what will be a much stiffer test and level of competition as this will be Benito Floro's real test of how far the team has come over the last two years.

Giovinco once again steals the show, as the Italian DP drives the Reds to a 3-1 victory over San Jose. It was a step up from last weekend as TFC finished more chances and the weak links were stronger in their performances. It was another fine outing from Justin Morrow and Luke Moore has proven to be valuable in Jozy Altidore's absence. Next weekend away to DC United will prove to be a strong measure of how far this team has progressed through the first third of the season.