East Side Stand Up

One to remember as TFC finish the season as the highest all time point getters in MLS history. A 2-2 draw was enough to surpass the LA Galaxy and put the Reds in the books as one of the best ever. However, we all agree there is still work to do as Toronto will be looking at the post season as a chance at redeeming themselves from the Cup Final last year. It begins next weekend and sights will be set on a slew of rivals and whether Atlanta will remain in the picture. All opponents offer a good match up and we break it all down on ESSU.

In the south end, with supporters, with the players, it was a night to celebrate but it was dampened by a less than stellar performance as the Reds beat the Montreal Impact 1-0. It was a bizarre afternoon with torrential rain and gusting winds that impacted the pitch, but also the return of key players both from injury and World Cup collapses effected the overall play. In the end, it's three points and TFC need to step it up as they head into Atlanta for the last game of the season and look to repeat their playoff run from 2016.

This is the East Side Stand Up podcast for the September 30th game in 2017 which featured Toronto FC against the New York Red Bulls.

The Reds looked absolutely brutal in a calamitous display against Montreal, who punished them over and over for a 5-3 result. It was a disaster from the get go as Alex Bono hoofed the ball off Piatti's back into goal and it never looked good from there. Yes, Tosaint Ricketts scored a brace, but getting back into the game from allowing five goals is next to impossible. Was it a match to get out of our system? Here's hoping as TFC need to get healthy and primed as they head down the stretch for the 2017 playoffs.

Toronto FC once again put forth a dominant home display, this time taking out the San Jose Earthquakes 4-0 courtesy of a Jozy Altidore brace. However, it was what is becoming a classic home performance where there were no weak links and everyone chipping in from Victor Vasquez to Steven Beitashour, with Jonathan Osorio adding in insurance at the end. It was a near-perfect performance with a passing and possession highlighting the afternoon. Looking ahead, TFC are into the homestretch for the playoffs and have some key fixture to watch as they are in a position for a season of greatness.

Back with Aaron Neilsen, a bit behind on the recording, we look back at the 3-1 win over the Montreal Impact but instead of running through the match minute-by-minute, we have a more overarching discussion on the state of the club. We look at, compare and contrast them, to other "super" clubs in MLS history and run through some key performers in the month of August. Then we look ahead to the playoffs approaching and Supporter Shield race.

Yes, going solo once again, and once again it is celebrating a TFC win. The Reds keep on rollin' as they dispatch the Chicago Fire on the road and continue to establish themselves as the top contender in MLS and ignite the conversation of them being the best team in league history. It was another solid display as Marky Delgado, Alex Bono and Michael Bradley all stood apart in putting forth strong performances to ensure the win. Looking ahead, the Union come to BMO but likely TFC will be eyeing next weekend's clash against the Montreal Impact.

Toronto FC delivers them all, as they dispatch the Portland Timbers 4-1 at BMO on a sunny Saturday afternoon. It was another impressive display at home, lead once again by the creativity of Giovinco, with the finishing of Justin Morrow and support of Victor Vasquez. With some missing pieces, the Reds still managed to look dominant for long stretches and the second half completely took the heart of the Timbers to walk away with all three points. It was a critical result ahead of next weekend's clash against Eastern Conference contenders Chicago Fire that will open up the title race and playoff positions.

Toronto FC mangle NYCFC 4-0 and make several statements of who is the boss in the Eastern Conference. The visitors tried to go toe-to-toe, but on this day TFC were more determined and lead by their DP dynamo, Giovinco. David Villa the best DP of all time? The line has been drawn and once again the Italian came out on top in this fixture, as Giovinco scored a brace and set up his teammates. It was one of the best afternoons in recent memory and the Reds remain as serious contenders for the Supporters Shield, and look to build more momentum as the turn the corner towards the 2017 post-season.

Ok, well WE would have gotten the slice of pizza as the Reds drew 1-1 with the woeful Colorado Rapids. It was a cagey affair with the opposition happy to foul and happy to cramp up at every opportunity in order to drag the result into a draw. At the end of the day the ploy worked as Toronto could not get any real momentum after Benoit Cheyrou left injured in the first half. It was a game of real highlights and lowlights, as Giovinco, Clint Irwin and Jay Chapman all looked good, but the Rapids did their best to make it an ugly match with plenty of stoppages. The referee did not help the cause as he was unable to control the antics and the match ended earlier than it should have, but quite simply it was a game to move on from and forget.