East Side Stand Up

The Reds managed to come back from a 2-0 deficit and level the score and leave with an important point. TFC now have four points to start the season and are in a good position to get through the opening eight game road trip. Once again it was Giovinco who lead the charge as he had a hand in all the goals, and some defensive errors made the difference on both sides of the ball.

New Yooooork are shut out by Toronto FC 2-0 as the Reds start the season off on the right foot. Certain underdogs, TFC's defence bent but did not break and as the match wore on, they found their moment down the final minutes - first with Giovinco finding Endoh in the area to draw a penalty, then springing Delgado on a 1v1 for a tidy finish. It's a dream start to the season and three points will go a long way in meeting club President Bill Manning's goal of eight points in the first eight games of the season.

Aaron Neilsen of Prospect XI joins Ian Clarke to run a quick review of the team's last preseason match, a 1-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union, before turning their attention to the upcoming season and specifically the Red's personnel. They run through the squad front to back and highlight concerns, but also their optimism for the 2016 campaign, which should be an improvement from last year's one-and-done playoff appearance.

It's 2016 and there is actually something to build upon as the Reds might have ended last season on a low note, but have some pieces in place to have an exciting team if the right moves are made. Paul Marhue is on the pod as we look back on 2015, specifically Giovinco's campaign and TFC's first playoff appearance. Then we look ahead to this year with players out, players in, and what goals should be actually achievable this season.

The Reds are dropped 2-1 by the Montreal Impact as Didier Drogba demonstrates his worth to his club with a brace within two minutes. Toronto had a first half lead, but the Impact came out in the second half and did what they needed to in order to earn a coveted home game in the first round of the playoffs. Toronto will need to change their approach and eliminate the threat that is Drogba if they are to have any hope of hosting a post-season match in 2015.

Will they finish second? Third? Or sixth? After losing an advantage this weekend via 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew, Toronto FC now have work left next weekend against the Montreal Impact. If TFC had won, they'd have been in the pole position for second place and now could potentially tumble down to sixth if the chips fall against their favour. Despite the loss, the final week of the 2015 season will be one to watch and see if Toronto are primed for their first ever playoff appearance.

Who else? The Italian DP literally flies in from international duty and scores one of TFC's biggest goals in club history. If only more people were watching them instead of the Jays! But fear not, the playoffs are in reach and the next two games will determine where the team sits and who they face in their first ever playoff appearance

Despite the on-field announcer celebrating the team making the post season, then adding "if Orlando loses", the first ever playoff appearance has to wait for another week as the Reds still need points to secure passage. A 3-1 win over Philadelphia instills confidence the teams is on track, but the next three games will be critical to giving support knowledge of whether TFC are a team who will beat the worst teams and struggle against the better ones, or whether they have grown since humbling defeats from August

TFC's Giovinco is tallying up the points, goals and assists, going down as one of, if not the, best ever in the league. His assists, and 'goal', helped lift the Reds to an important 3-2 win over the Chicago Fire. It was a reunion as last year's DP signing Gilberto netted a brace, while this year's DPs for TFC also scored, sort of. As well, south of the border, local-boy Cyle Larin scored a hat-trick to become the all-time rookie leading scorer in the league and is cause for much celebration for a Canadian perspective.

Greg Vanney can breath a momentary sigh of relief as Toronto down the Colorado Rapids 3-1 at BMO Field to earn a critical three points. It was another Giovinco masterclass as the Italian DP did it all with a brace and assist. The second half weather did not slow down the side as they managed it well and were able to see through the score to keep themselves firmly in the playoff race for another week.