East Side Stand Up

Yes, it's another 2-0 home victory for the Reds, who keep on bettering opposition at BMO Field, despite playing at near exhaustion. On two days rest, Toronto mustered up a solid home display where there were no glaring weak links in the squad and the quality was enough to grab all three points. Determination and commitment abounds, it really came down to an Alex Bono super save and Giovinco's last second insurance goal to seal what was an entertaining Friday night of football.

Yes, it's become an ordinary score for TFC at home, however, it wasn't the usual result as it took the second half for the Reds to score their goals and DC United proved to be more stubborn than several other better sides in MLS. After a poor game in New England, Sebastian Giovinco bounced back with two assists that set up two solid goals from Jozy Altidore and Jordan Hamilton. It was a much needed three points as TFC are looking ahead at a crazy schedule that won't let up until the end of the summer.

A 3-0 loss to New England snaps TFC’s league unbeaten run and also puts Greg Vanney’s lucky shirt in the incinerator. I always thought that shirt was overhyped and it did not live up to it’s billing - oh and neither did Giovinco, who has been struggling to find his lethal form from the last two seasons. It was a forgettable result and one that likely was not watched by many people as the dog days of summer are upon us and matches with plenty of squad rotation. With a break ahead, it will do the team well as their next opponent is the struggling DC United.

Yes, a Trillium Cup to remember, and everyone's favourite trophy is lifted by the Reds via a 5-0 demolition of a hapless Columbus Crew. It was impressive in many aspects, as there was no Giovinco or Jozy, the team went down to ten men, and the final goals game in the dying minutes through classy finishes from players who appear to be on the fringe of the starting eleven. It was a pleasant return to form after a poor mid-week, and also erased any doubts the team would slip after their draw in New York City.

Oh well, what's important is the TFC locomotive keeps steamrolling ahead, and their sixth victim in a row is the expansion Minnesota United, who were dropped 3-2 at BMO Field. What's also impressive is the four wins in a two week span, and two of those wins were likely not expected at all. Greg Vanney rotates the line up on Saturday and they still grind out the victory. It's all coming up TFC these days and there is little to be critical of - but we still find a way to nitpick as even with an impressive start to 2017, comprehensive performances have been few and there is still room for this team to improve.

Was it redemption, revenge or any kind of satisfaction? No, not really. However, there was some confirmation that what happened in December 2016 was how TFC supporters saw it, that being the Reds were the better team, and with key players missing in 2017 went to Seattle and took all three points. It was a big performance from Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, while the depth players such as Jay Chapman, Raheem Edwards and Jason Hernandez were key to the result - putting faith in the complete roster that with players missing, TFC can still compete with the best.

That's right, an old foe from 2007, much like last week's Chicago Fire, went down to the Reds at BMO via a thorough 2-0 victory. Last week it was Giovinco, this week it was Jozy Altidore who scored the brace and left supporters feeling confident the team is beginning to hit their stride as top contenders. It wasn't just the goals, as Victor Vasquez and Raheem Edwards continue to emerge as key players, with Vasquez pulling the strings and Edwards really making the most of his opportunity. Up next is Orlando City then Seattle where TFC will be put to the test if they can maintain their current form.

TFC earn their first comprehensive victory of 2017, courtesy of a Giovinco brace, a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Fire. The Italian DP had fire in his belly as he was in vintage form taking shots whenever openings occurred, and topped it off with two slick finishes. But it wasn't a one man show, as the defence held up without Drew Moor and the midfield looked solid. It was a match of few complaints, and a performance needed ahead of two more tricky opponents in the Houston Dynamo and Orlando City.

Yes, the Reds, unbeaten in five (1W-4D-0L) ends with a 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew to not only keep them near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, but behind their rivals in the prestigious Trillium Cup. TFC got off to a solid start, opening the scoring and looking the better side, but lapses in focus, both in finishing and defending, were enough to undo any chances at points. Toronto will need to step it up a notch quickly as three home games in a row should be an opportunity for nine points, but if this form continues, will be opportunities lost.

Toronto FC once again come up short of all three points at BMO Field as a back and forth match ended in a 2-2 draw with Atlanta United. Even going up a man in the final stretch of the match wasn't enough of an advantage as the Reds played better at even strength and could not muster the game winning goal. Atlanta burned Chris Mavinga twice, but on the home side, both Victor Vasquez and Armando Cooper put in solid performances, while Giovinco opened his scoring account for 2017. It's still early in the season and TFC aren't falling behind, but sooner than later Toronto will want to see a win in our home field.