East Side Stand Up

Rarely do we break format of post-match analysis, but another year has kicked off and there simply is too much to pass up on regarding discussion. So we're here at the start of 2014 to discuss, obviously, the big media splash surrounding the recent signings of Gilberto, Dwayne De Rosario, Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley. Of course, Ryan Nelsen is in the mix, and to wrap it up we weigh in on our expectations for the season.

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.