East Side Stand Up

TFC almost played the spoiler, but a Chicago Fire loss saw Montreal squeak into the playoffs despite Toronto defeating them 1-0 on Saturday afternoon. It was a rare organized and efficient performance from the Reds as they thoroughly dominated Montreal more most of the ninety minutes. Even when Montreal were able to create solid chances, Joe Bendik was there to shut the door. The season is done and it's all looking back on the year and putting it all into perspective heading towards 2014.

Toronto FC are going out with a whimper as they could not offer anything to a very mediocre Chicago Fire who had very good chances, but needed a dubious call from the referee to win via penalty kick. This match though isn't about lamenting the game at hand or refereeing, but with one week left in the season begin asking question regarding the state of the team and moving into 2014. Plenty to discuss from the club, players and coaching that all have issues to overcome if Toronto FC are to ever become a top side in the league.

TFC once again surrenders a goal in the dying minutes against Philadelphia, but this time the lose all three points in a 1-0 loss. Good work was undone in the final sequence as despite the defeat, we still have some straws to grasp at. Bright Dike in particular is a player we are excited for, but truthfully after that it is still up in the air where Toronto will land in 2014.

Better late than never! Yeah yeah DC United's "B" team... we'll take it. Bright Dike, Darrel Russell and Alvaro Rey all looked good against a team who made them look real good, but it's about keeping this all in perspective. As in TFC are better in 2013 than 2012 and there are some performance to monitor in the final weeks of the season. Off the pitch Tim Leiweke and Tim Bezbatchenko keep talking about England and Italy DP's and that is going to be interesting to see who will want to leave a top flight European league to come play for Toronto.

What else is there to say about a miserable afternoon where Toronto showed their quality deficiency and were downed by a CJ Sapong brace in a 2-1 loss. The Reds, per usual, were in it for stretches, but at the end of the day didn't have the finishing or creativity moving forward to get that final ball into the back of the net. The loss keeps them stuck at their point tally from 2012 and this season looks to be finishing with a near carbon copy as the year before.

Toronto FC, despite looking better than would be expected, are still comfortably existing at the bottom of the table and out of their depth against the middle of the table through to the top. A 2-0 defeat at Red Bull Arena is somewhat respectable considering the history of playing away to New York, but still offered little in terms of true positives in the short term. ENBSport's Aaron Neilsen is on board and we discuss everything from TFC's players performing in this match, to the future of the team in the coming weeks and months

The Reds put in what has come to be expected as they drew 1-1 with the Chicago Fire and while Joe Bendik and the defence looked good, the attack lacked vision and quality finishing. It will go down as another forgettable result in 2013 as Toronto simply don't have the players, but also have not instilled any kind of creative approach that can unlock opposition. With the season winding down, and little to get excited about on the pitch, it's going through the motions to get a step closer to 2014.

Toronto FC never looked like they were at the level of their opposition as the Portland Timbers soundly outplayed the Reds and saw them off in a 4-0 route. TFC held on as long as they could, but awful defensive errors undid any positives and underscored a huge gap between where Toronto is now and where they need to go. As well we discuss the firings of Kevin Payne, Earl Cochrane and say adios to Tom Anselmi.

In retrospect there should have been more outrage as what looked to be a perfectly legitimate goal from Steve Caldwell was called back and TFC ended up with a 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution. The Reds wanted it more down the stretch as once again players stood up and made themselves noticed. It's a special pod with a whopping SIX guests - but most importantly three come on to discuss Justice for Matt and their experience meeting with Kevin Payne. A unique episode of the pod worth listening to.

I'll take those odds. Reggie Lambe comes through in the absence of Matia Laba and pulls the strings to ensure the Reds at the very least leave RFK with a draw. Armen Bedakian is on board to point out expectations should be set a bit higher against the worst team in the league, and missed chances are what ultimately underscored the result. Jeremy Brockie says his goodbyes as Maximiliano Urruti watches from the bench and the future still looks uncertain but not without discussion.

Toronto FC once again miss out on glory as a Federico Higuain brace sinks the Reds who've only lifted the trophy once in seven years. It was a disappointing performance considering the displays of the last month and few players stood out, most notably Joe Bendik who was called on time and time again to keep the score respectable. The arrival of Maximiliano Urruti did not open a floodgate of goals as TFC's offensive approach is still conservative and timid at best. It will take much more than a few South American signings to get Toronto's attack looking anything dangerous through the rest of the season.

Toronto FC are on back to back wins and life's never been so good. A Matias Laba goal in the opening minutes was all it took for the Reds to hold of the New England Revolution 1-0. It was a determined defensive effort as they bent but did not break against a strong attacking New England side. We go over Laba's influence in the side, the gaps still open in the roster, and look ahead to taking on Seattle next weekend.

Bring down the rain, as finally TFC rise up and through determination get that desperate, and year-long needed, three points at BMO Field. A resounding sigh of relief is felt after this game, as some players who've left it all on the pitch got a result that has eluded them for much of the season. Going over the likes of Jeremy Brockie, Jonathan Osorio and Bobby Convey, they all have started to really look the part. To finish it off we revisit "Justice for Matt" and question TFC's handling of supporters over the last seven years.

It wasn't a win, but given how poor the week has been, a point against a team like New York is a small achievement. A 0-0 draw might not have unlocked any offensive output, but defensively, against a strong attacking side, Toronto FC looked composed. It was a much needed result and if it weren't for it being such a terrible season, there might be more optimism around the result. We look at how this game went down and segue into talking about Tim Leiweke and the state of the team.

Nothing was solved midweek between Toronto FC and Montreal as they ended their clash in a 3-3 draw that had excitement in both halves. TFC did well to bounce back after a nightmare opening 30 seconds to gain a commanding lead, but it all crumbled away within a ninety seconds in the second half. Plenty to talk about as it was another good game for the Reds, but still one that ultimately keeps them firmly rooted near the bottom of the table.

Toronto FC are now closing in on the one year anniversary to their last MLS win south of the Gardiner as they lost their first home game to Real Salt Lake 1-0. It was another tough one to swallow for TFC fans as there were three late chances to level the score, but it wasn't meant to be. There are discussions about Doneil Henry's red card, Koevermans' fitness and form, and wade into another year of friendlies in the midst of a challenging season.

Toronto FC held it together and put forth a display with few complaints as they drew Houston Dynamo 0-0 on the road. Steve Caldwell stood tall for the Reds and quite simply bossed the backline delivering the experience needed to calm the team down the final stretch to hold onto a point. The first clean sheet of the year give genuine optimism TFC might be pulling it together and are in a good position now to return home and take another step upwards to consistent performances.

Toronto FC took care of business against the worst team in MLS thanks to a Daniel Woolard own goal. It wasn't pretty but three points is all that matters and with the winless streak over, there is no time to celebrate because plenty of work is still left to do. The Reds did not look great, but more DC came as advertised as an team with an impotent attack and one that struggles defensively. Toronto took advantage on both sides and got the win they desperately needed.

This twilight zone episode has got to be just about done as TFC ... wait for it ... you guessed it! Allowed a late goal to drop points as the Philadelphia Union came to BMO Field and stole a point in a 1-1 draw. The biggest disappointment is that Toronto FC actually were the better team, even after Doneil Henry was sent off at the 41st minute. Jonathan Osorio was a revelation in the midfield for the Reds, but it wasn't enough to fend off a last second goal as Toronto will need to keep plugging away to find the elusive second win of the season.

Five losses in a row, in the league, and winless since the second week of the season. Toronto FC drop another three points against a team, that under most circumstances, could be taken for at least a point. However, the Reds could not contain the youth of Fagundez and Agudelo as both scored and TFC had no answer at the back, or in the front. Another loss and looking forward to Philadelphia and the return of Danny Koevermans.