East Side Stand Up

Joined by East Side Stand Up’s Paul Marhue, we run through seven questions we felt were pertinent to TFC from 2014, in the offseason and heading into 2015. From who or where would your key signing be if you were only able to bring in one player to what would you want Toronto FC’s identity to be under your reign? We brought in four other voices to weigh in on the questions and also offer a spectrum of opinions. RNO’s own TFC beat reporter, Steve Bottjer leads it off, analyst Aaron Neilsen follows him, JC Plante and Eric Anderton round out the discussion from a supporter perspective. The answers run the gamut of ideas and opinions and as always we are hoping to give the listener as many voices as possible to consider.

Ian Clarke and Steve Bottjer take a few days off after the New England loss to reflect on 2014. They discuss almost everything surrounding the club from the ground up, going over Jermain Defoe, Greg Vanney, Michael Bradley and Tim Leiweke. As well what is in store for 2015?

The Reds once again drop points at home and a 1-1 draw was all it took to finally take this season off life support. It's not eight straight seasons without the playoffs and there isn't much indication things will be on the right track moving forward. From failed DP signings to questionable quality depth, it will be another off season with plenty of questions from the front office to the sidelines right onto the field.

Well anyone who has watched this team over the last three months knows it's "match" but with two games left, Columbus could still mess it all up. However, New York made a statement they are primed for the playoffs in beating Toronto 3-1. We go over what that loss means to TFC's playoff hopes, the impact DP signings has had this season, what the coaching carousel is looking like and a bit of speculation as to what 2015 could look like.

A 1-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo all but confirms the Reds don't have what it takes to be a playoff contender. At home none the less, Toronto could not take out a 10-man Dynamo and even though they are not mathematically out of contention, one will have to seriously question the remaining motivation and self-belief the team will have with three games remaining, two of which against New York and New England who will both be fighting to stay in the post season picture.

Toronto FC came alive in the second half and show character inconsistently seen this season in a 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers. Down 2-0 in the first half, Nick Hagglund scored a brace and Michael Bradley took a free kick that found the back of the net for a critical three points. Anything less than a win would have all but been a nail in the coffin on the season, and now Toronto will have five important games to round off the year. We will see if whatever was said at the half is enough to see this team through the last month of the season.

Toronto FC down a Chivas USA side who now haven't won in eleven matches, 3-0 at BMO Field. It was what would be expected against such a woeful opponent and still leaves questions as to where this TFC side sits - which will likely be answered next weekend when Portland comes to town. There were positives to take from the match, such as another Gilberto goal and Steve Caldwell returning to the starting eleven. However, with Jermain Defoe supposedly returning next week, will the fragile mentality of the club be disrupted? With six games left TFC need to win at least three and draw one to be legitimately in playoff contention. Time is running out.

The final stretch of 2014 requires group therapy as Toronto are fighting, but not getting much help from the refs, as they drew 1-1 with Chicago in another must win match. Michael Bradley did not mince words and it's hard to argue that MLS referees are not up to the quality of the league as Dave Ganter had a howler in the final minute to call back what was a hard fought goal from Gilberto. With seven games to go, TFC will need to start winning at home and it begins next Saturday against Chivas USA.

The one TFC fans feel every year when they realize AGAIN the team won't make the playoffs? Well anyone who watched the Reds lose 2-0 to the Philadelphia Union are likely feeling that as despite the roster and potential, the poor mentality and confidence is too much to overcome. Another heartless display leaves much to be desired at Toronto are in free fall and there is little evidence where or how it will be reversed.

It's hard to stay positive after a display like this, in a game with playoff ramification. It was over before it really ever began as Toronto were downed 3-0 at home by the New England Revolution. There's no sugar coating this, it was a brutal display by TFC who never really showed up and their key players were never in the game. With the final third of the season to go, this team will need to turn things around quickly and drastically if they are to make the playoffs.