Toronto FC Tryouts

Toronto Football Club is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Canada. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference.

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Toronto FC Youth Development System

Toronto FC Academy Overview

TFC Academy is the youth academy and development system of Toronto FC that was established in 2008. The academy consists of multiple teams spanning different age groups from U12 to U20. Starting 2020, the senior academy squad (known as Toronto FC III) plays in the MLS Next.

In June 2012, TFC academy moved to their new practice facility originally named Kia Training Ground, but subsequently renamed BMO Training Ground as the former’s naming rights expired at the end of 2017, located in Downsview Park in North York. Built at a cost of $21 million to MLSE, the facility has seven pitches: three full-sized grass pitches and four artificial turfs with two capable of being bubbled for year-round use. The 36,000-square-foot (3,300 m2) facility also contains first team facilities, gym, kitchen, and offices.

Toronto FC Academy

HISTORY, FACILITIES AND ENVIRONMENT

• At TFCA, our goal is to create the best professional environment for soccer education in North America, which is evident not only in the facilities, but the opportunity of our athletes to interact with our first team players on a regular basis in the halls of the Training Ground
• Toronto FC was founded in 2007, becoming the first Canadian team to compete in Major League Soccer. The Toronto FC Academy was launched in 2008, creating a blueprint for professional player development within Canada
• The Training Ground was built in 2012 for $23 million. It is an all-purpose, state of the art 40,000 square foot training facility with four full-sized grass fields and four synthetic turf fields, two of which, can be converted for indoor play during the winter months. Field maintenance is handled by Robert Heggie, who was named North American Sports Turf Manager of the Year in 2015
  • 8 team locker rooms (5 with wet areas)
  • 4 coaches’ locker rooms (3 with wet areas)
  • 2,810 square foot two story gym
  • Dining Room – fully staffed kitchen
  • Classroom
  • Amphitheatre
  • Medical rooms (one allocated to the First Team and one to the Academy)
  • High Performance room
  • First Team lounge
  • Academy lounge

Toronto FC PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

• Toronto FC Academy began in 2008 with two teams in the U-16 and U-18 brackets and now has a full player pathway from U-12 to U-20, Toronto FC II and the First Team (see player pathway here)
• Toronto FC Academy has over 150 athletes
• Toronto FC has a partnership with the Ontario Soccer Association which recognizes Toronto FC’s pathway as the elite pathway in Ontario for aspiring professionals. The partnership is centered around building grassroots soccer and player identification
• In 2014 Toronto FC acquired their own USL franchise (Toronto FC II) and acts as a stepping stone between Toronto FC Academy and the First Team
• The Toronto FC Academy identifies talented players from all over Ontario (GTA, Ottawa, Kitchener-Waterloo, Barrie) and North America, with certain players being placed into residency with local families*

Toronto FC STAFF AND SERVICES

• One full-time Academy Director, six full-time coaches and four part-time coaches
• Full service Medical Department overseen by the First Team Director of Sport Science, with two full-time Athletic Therapists, dedicated to treating the Academy athletes
• Full service Equipment Department overseen by the Manager of Equipment Operations, with one full-time staff member solely responsible for the Academy equipment

Toronto FC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

• The Academy has a Manager of Education whose sole responsibility is to help athletes achieve academic excellence and broaden their future options (soccer, school)
• Services provided to our athletes include:
  • NCAA information seminars
  • SAT diagnostic test and prep course
  • Tutoring sessions
  • Co-op course programming, created by Toronto FC and hosted at The Training Ground
  • Academic timetabling support, which allows athletes flexibility in their schedule and a more manageable lifestyle
• Toronto FC Academy holds an annual College Showcase for our high school athletes where the best college coaches in Canada and the U.S. come to the Training Ground to scout our athletes (Toronto FC College Showcase – May)
• Academy athletes have enrolled/graduated/earned scholarships at the following schools: Manhattan College, University of Toronto, St. John’s University, Ryerson University, Duke University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Coastal California University, Drake University, Syracuse University, York University, UC Santa Barbara, Grand Canyon University, Pittsburgh University, Oregon State, Michigan State, Sheridan College, University of Maryland

Toronto FC SOCCER CURRICULUM

• Toronto FC has a specific club curriculum, which outlines the club’s unique coaching methodology and pedagogy, that is utilized for all Academy teams, Toronto FC II and the First Team
• Our High Performance Department targets our high potential athletes and provides a curriculum, on top of their soccer, to help our athletes reach their full potential, whether that level is collegiate, USL, MLS or in Europe
• Each athlete in the Academy has an Individualized Development Plan (IDP) that evaluates and scores each player in the eight areas of Toronto FC’s holistic player evaluation methodology (click here for 8 areas)

Toronto FC COMPETITION

• The competition structure for the Toronto FC Academy is a blend of the following:
  • The best local competition in Ontario [League 1, Ontario Soccer League (OSL), Ontario Youth Soccer League (OSYL), Ontario Player Development League (OPDL), York Region Soccer League (YRSA)]
  • The highest level of competition in the United States [Generation adidas Cup*, US Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) Showcases, Dallas Cup, etc.]
  • Top rated tournaments all over the world (Italy, Spain, France, Croatia, Qatar, South Africa, Mexico)
  • All Academy teams participate in International competition on an annual basis
• Toronto FC II competes in the United Soccer League (USL), which is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada.
• Generation adidas Cup: Every year Toronto FC Academy competes in MLS’ Generation adidas Cup (GA Cup). The GA Cup is a U-17 tournament, in which all MLS clubs in the US (and Toronto FC) compete. The tournament format involves MLS clubs divided into three conferences (Western, Central and Eastern); each group participates in two regional events (the first is over Thanksgiving weekend in October, and the second is over Family Day weekend in February). The top two MLS clubs from each group moves on to the Champion Division in the GA Cup final, which is hosted over Easter weekend.  Top International teams from all over the world are invited in to compete against the top MLS clubs as part of the Champions Division. In 2016, the following teams competed against the top MLS clubs, including our own TFCA team – Valencia, Mexico U-17, River Plate, Aspire Academy, Universidad de Chile, Villarreal.

Toronto FC ACADEMY ACHIEVEMENTS

• Toronto FC Academy U-17 teams have qualified for the Champions Division of the Generation adidas Cup, since the division’s inception in 2013
• Toronto FC Academy U-12 teams have competed in the elite U-12 division of the GA Cup since its inception (2015 – 1^st place and 2016 – 6^th place)
• Toronto FC consistently has the highest number of athletes called up to represent Canada (during International games and camps) at all age groups 

Toronto FC HEALTH, NUTRITION & COGNITION

• Toronto FC is the only club in MLS that has a High Performance Department which focuses on the cognitive development of all athletes (First Team, TFC II, Academy athletes (U-10 to U-20)
• Academy athletes undergo concussion baseline testing at the beginning of each season through our partnership with Holland Bloorview Hospital, the first partnership of its kind in MLS
• Academy therapists work in collaboration with the full-time kitchen staff to ensure Academy meals at Training Ground and offsite (during tournaments), meet the nutrition requirements of young athletes

Toronto FC YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM (“YPP”)

• Toronto FC Academy has a unique program designed for athletes who have been identified as a top talent within the Academy or who are currently on the TFC II team
• The program is a collaborative effort between coaches, the Director of High Performance and the Director of Sport Science
• Athletes are put in optimal learning environments with the objective of improving their neurological skills and decision making on the field
• Advanced technology is used in the process of monitoring their neurological development
• Athletes are also taught skills that are imperative to the life of a professional athlete (public speaking, social media, on camera interviews etc.)

Toronto FC FREE TO PLAY

• The Toronto FC Academy is 100% free to play
• Through Toronto FC Academy’s sponsorship with Adidas, all athletes’ equipment needs (cleats, jerseys, goalie gloves) are supplied by adidas at no cost
• Academy athletes have access to a full cafeteria, at no cost, where they are served meals following training on a daily basis
• The club covers all costs related to the annual events pertaining to an athletes’ training:
  • League registration costs
  • International and domestic trips for tournaments and league play (accommodation, meals, flights, buses, travel insurance)
• Stipends available for athletes who need financial support to cover commute costs
• Opportunities to train abroad are available to certain identified athletes, organized and paid for by the club

Toronto FC Juniors

The Toronto FC Juniors, also known as the TFC Juniors, is part of the youth academy and development system of Toronto FC. The program holds camps regionally and has held camps in Toronto, Pickering, Vaughan, Stoney Creek in Hamilton, Oakville, and Markham. The Toronto FC Juniors program is one of Toronto FC Academy’s main sources for prospects alongside their network of scouts. It is a curriculum based program, facilitated by a professional coaching staff, specializing in grassroots development for players aged six to thirteen.

To register for Toronto FC Juniors, please click here.
To learn more about Toronto FC Juniors, please click here.

Toronto FC Juniors Soccer Schools

Looking for a program that offers additional training at a higher level of training for your young athlete? Our Soccer School program is for you!

Our Soccer School is a supplemental training program that is open to all male and female players aged six to thirteen years old. This program is built to support the training that players receive at their clubs and academies and not intended to replace club/academy programming.

Our coaches follow the Me-We-Us curriculum that is specifically designed to increase technical fluidity in players, increase spatial awareness and attach more purposeful decision-making to the three critical soccer moments of 1v1, overloads and collective play.

It is our goal to create the best foundation for development by igniting a spark in every player that enables them to want to play more soccer, watch more soccer, and be better players.

Seasons:	Fall, Winter and Summer
Session Length:	60-75 Minutes
Sessions/Wk:	1 Session per week in each of our 6 regional training centre
Age Range:	Girls and Boys aged six to fourteen
Locations:	Burlington, Mississauga, Downsview, Oshawa, Niagara, Bradford

To register for the TCF Juniors Soccer School, please click here.

Toronto FC Juniors Camps

Looking for a performance-based camp for your child? We strive to make every player better, regardless of their playing level, for all players in the community. Our Camps program is performance-based focusing on a day full of soccer following the Me-We-Us curriculum designed to increase technical fluidity in players, increase spatial awareness and attach more purposeful decision-making to the three critical soccer movements of 1v1, overloads and collective play.

Our camps are full day from 9:00AM to 4:00PM with an early drop-off at 8:00AM and a late pick-up at 5:00PM, unless otherwise specified.

To learn more about the latest dates for camps, please click here.

Toronto FC Juniors Embedded Program

Is your team, club, or academy interested in having a TFC Junior coach run one session per week as part of your in-club training? We are committed to work with local clubs and academies to develop players using our Me-We-Us Grassroots Curriculum and prepare young athletes for the next step.

We work with clubs and academies to train both male and female athletes at the grassroot level, to increase technical fluidity in athletes, increase spatial awareness and attach more purposeful decision-making to the three critical movements of 1v1, overloads, and collective play. It is our goal to create the best foundation for development by igniting a spark in every player that enables them to want to play more soccer, watch more soccer, and be better players.

DeRo United Year Round	Oshawa Civic Fields, 99 Thornton Rd S, Oshawa, ON L1J 5Y1 UOIT Field House, 80 Conlin Rd, Oshawa, ON L1G 7W1
Markham Soccer Club October to May	Markham Sports Dome 5300 14th Ave, Markham, ON L3S 3K8
Saltfleet Stoney Creek SC October to May	St Jean de Brebeuf Catholic Secondary School, 200 Acadia Dr, Hamilton, ON L8W 3K2 Cardinal Newman Catholic School, 127 Gray Rd, Stoney Creek, ON L8G 3V3
Bolton Wanderers SC May to September	Edelweiss Park 320 Glasgow Rd, Caledon, ON L7C 3L9
Brampton Youth SC May to September	Creditview Sandalwood Park 10530 Creditview Rd, Brampton, ON L7A 3G6

To learn more about TFC Juniors Embedded Program and to register, please click here.

Toronto FC Juniors Summer Select

Our Summer Selects is an invitation-only program where top players from our Soccer Schools, Camps and Embedded Programs are selected and given the opportunity to challenge themselves against the best players around the GTA and surrounding communities. This program focuses primarily on the upcoming age cohort that can be selected for TFC Academy, as well as the year younger.

Player’s in the program are given the opportunity to be a part of the player pool for our Toronto FC entry into the U12 Generation Adidas Cup 7v7 event held annually during the month of November in Atlanta, Georgia. This is the first taste of academy-style play for MLS clubs and the athletes representing Toronto FC will be selected from within the TFC Juniors athletes.

To find the closest embedded program near you, click here.

To register for TFC Juniors Soccer Schools, Camps, click here.

Toronto FC Regional Partners

TFC Academy has made regional partnerships with local youth clubs in other Ontario cities re-branding under the TFC name: Windsor TFC, London TFC, and Ottawa TFC. Windsor TFC was the re-branded name from Windsor Stars SC, whose senior team plays in League1 Ontario (L1O). London TFC was re-branded from FC London, whose senior team retained their name in L1O. Ottawa TFC was formed from a merger of Cumberland United SC and Capital United SC.

Toronto FC II

Toronto FC II was established in November 2014 and is the farm team of Toronto FC. Toronto FC II competes in the USL League One, the third division of the American and Canadian soccer league system. The team serves as a reserve team for TFC and a bridge between the Academy and first team. The team began play in March 2015. Their home stadium was the then-newly constructed 3,500-seat stadium at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan, just north-northwest of Toronto. Jason Bent is the team’s first head coach.

Toronto FC previously had a one-year partnership with the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL in 2014.

For the 2018 season, TFC II moved its home games to BMO Field and Lamport Stadium. On July 2, 2018, the team announced they would move down from the United Soccer League to USL League One for the league’s first season in 2019. With their drop to Division 3, the team moved their home games to BMO Training Ground.

To learn more about Toronto FC II, please click here.

Toronto Football Club is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home matches at BMO Field, located at Exhibition Place on Toronto’s shoreline west of Downtown Toronto. Toronto FC joined MLS in 2007 as an expansion team and was the first Canadian-based franchise in the league.

The first team is operated by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which also operates the USL League One affiliate team Toronto FC II and most other professional sports franchises in the city.

In 2017, Toronto FC won the domestic treble with the MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield and Canadian Championship. They are seven-time winners of the Canadian Championship and were runners-up of the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League, as well as the MLS Cup in 2016 and 2019.

As of 2019, the club has an estimated value of US$395 million and the highest player payroll in Major League Soccer.

Toronto FC Recruitment Trials

At the time of this writing, there is no official publishing’s on Toronto FC trials. Please come back at a later date while we monitor this club or click here to visit their official academy news section.

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Toronto FC History

Expansion

In 2005, the MLS granted Toronto a franchise. This was purchased for $10 million USD by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE). On May 11, 2006, the team’s name was officially revealed.

An online poll was held during which the public was able to vote on the name for a limited time. “Toronto Northmen,” “Inter Toronto FC,” “Toronto Reds,” and “Toronto FC” were the choices. Following this procedure, MLSE made the decision to select “Toronto FC” for two reasons. There were two reasons why Toronto FC was chosen: First, over 40% of the online voting favored the name, and second, MLSE thought that the generic name would let the new club gain an organic nickname from Toronto fans rather than having one imposed on it. The media and the team have referred to the team as “TFC” and “the Reds,” respectively. “FC” became the standard abbreviation for football teams.

Early years (2007–2010)

Since its inception, Toronto FC has swiftly established itself as a soccer team with a large following. A 3–1 home triumph over the Chicago Fire on May 12, 2007 at BMO Field was the club’s first victory. Danny Dichio scored the team’s first goal in the 24th minute. Despite finishing last in the MLS standings with a 6–17–7 record, TFC established themselves as the first Canadian team in the league. The 2008 MLS All-Star Game was held in Toronto during the club’s second season in 2008. Fans continued to fill BMO Field to capacity, despite the team’s 9–13–8 record in the Eastern Conference. Toronto FC competed for the Voyageurs Cup in the 2008 Canadian Championship to select the Canadian Soccer Association’s representative in the CONCACAF Champions League. The Montreal Impact defeated Toronto FC in the league’s inaugural season, despite TFC’s expectations.

Toronto FC was eliminated from the playoffs after losing 5–0 against New York Red Bulls in the last regular season game of 2009. After signing some high-profile players, the Reds still couldn’t consistently put together winning teams. Dwayne De Rosario and Amado Guevara were immediately impactful, but Guevara’s long-term prospects for the Canadian national team were clouded by the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup. First-year goalie Stefan Frei swiftly overtook Greg Sutton as the team’s first-choice starting.

Throughout the entire season, TFC only scored two goals in the final 15 minutes of games (last in MLS). They conceded 16 goals in the final 15 minutes of the game, the most in MLS, resulting in a 14-goal deficit. Vancouver Whitecaps‘ +4 goal differential was nullified by Toronto FC’s four-goal triumph over Montreal Impact in the 2009 Canadian Championship final. Vancouver would win the championship if they did anything less than that. Toronto FC fell behind early on, but a hat-trick from De Rosario helped the team come back and defeat the Impact 6–1. Guevara scored again, in the 69th and 92nd minutes, to round up the tally. TFC now leads Vancouver 1-0 thanks to a goal from Chad Barrett in the 82nd minute. This unexpected triumph has been termed the “Miracle in Montreal” by both fans and the media. As a result, Toronto FC was unable to advance further in the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League after a first-round loss against the Puerto Rico Islanders (1–0).

Toronto Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment indicated anything less than a playoff berth in 2010 would be unacceptable after failing to make the playoffs in 2009. Former director of soccer Mo Johnston hired Preki and made major squad adjustments to fit the US Hall of Famer’s desire to play a rugged, defensive style. TFC started out well, going seven games without a loss despite their inability to score. Following the World Cup break, the team was in a bind again. MLSE fired Johnston and Preki on September 14, citing issues inside the team and a desire to salvage the season. They replaced them with interim directors of soccer Earl Cochrane and Nick Dasovic. The players reacted positively to Dasovic’s more open and flexible coaching style, but it was not enough to keep the team in playoff contention with three games left in the season.

MLSE was forced to organize town hall meetings because of off-field disputes with season-ticket holders over the 2011 season ticket package. In the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round, Toronto FC faced C.D. Motagua of Honduras. Chad Barrett scored the only goal of the game in the first leg, and De Rosario and Barrett netted the other two goals in the second leg to help TFC advance to the group stage. Toronto FC beat Cruz Azul 2–1 in their opening group encounter on August 17, 2010. Real Salt Lake and Cruz Azul finished first and second in their respective groups, respectively, while Cruz Azul finished third.

Cup success and league failure (2011–2014)

Coach Jürgen Klinsmann and his SoccerSolutions firm in California were hired by Major League Soccer to improve the team’s performance on November 3, 2010. A candidate for the director of soccer role was nominated by Klinsmann after an assessment of the team over the next six months, during which time a playing style was identified. Toronto FC’s new executive team was unveiled on January 6th, 2011. Bob de Klerk, a fellow South African, was named first assistant coach to Aron Winter. This week, Paul Mariner was chosen the new director of soccer. Toronto FC selected Winter to bring the Ajax way of playing, including possession and the 4-3-3 formation, to the club. Before and during the 2011 season, the team’s management made significant squad changes, including the trade of its captain, Toronto native Abel De Rosario.

Toronto FC signed European stars Torsten Frings and Danny Koevermans to two-and-a-half-year contracts, filling its final two designated player slots. The squad went on to utilize 39 players, which was an MLS record. TFC missed the playoffs for the fifth year in a row despite a strong finish to the season with only two losses in their final 12 games. Nevertheless, they prevailed over FC Dallas in their last group stage match of the 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League, claiming a spot in the knockout stage against LA Galaxy. It was the first time a Canadian club has ever reached the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League after a 2–2 draw in Toronto in front of 47,658 fans at the Rogers Centre.

In the semifinals, they were beaten 7–3 on aggregate by Santos Laguna of Mexico. By refusing to be reassigned his post as head coach, Aron Winter resigned from the team on June 7, 2012, and his resignation set a new record for the worst start in MLS history. In 2012, the squad had a record of 1–9–0 in the league and 3–1–4, including a fourth-straight Canadian Championship, under the leadership of Winter. He was replaced by Paul Mariner, but TFC’s league record under him was still 4–12–8. Toronto FC also failed to move from their group in the CONCACAF Champions League, going 2–2–0. They finished the MLS season with five victories and 23 points after a 14-game losing streak. Kevin Payne’s departure from D.C. United as general manager of Toronto FC was officially confirmed on November 27, 2012. As of January 7, 2013, Ryan Nelsen was the new head coach at Mariner.

MLS designated player Matas Laba was signed by Payne on April 25th, 2013. For an unknown amount of allocation money, Payne traded Luis Silva to D.C. United on July 9. On September 4, the team sacked Payne. Tim Leiweke, the newly appointed president of Major League Soccer (MLSE), argued that Payne and Toronto FC’s new CEO had philosophical disagreements. David Beckham’s arrival in 2007 was a major coup for the LA Galaxy, and Leiweke made it clear that he wanted to replicate that success with TFC. Tim Bezbatchenko was named the new general manager of Toronto FC on September 20.

Toronto FC made a number of high-profile signings during the 2013–14 offseason under Bezbatchenko. Veteran MLS players Justin Morrow and Jackson made the move, as did Brazilian great Gilberto, American international Michael Bradley from A.S. Roma, and Toronto FC’s leading scorer De Rosario, all of whom returned to the club. Spurs announced on January 10th that they had reached an agreement with the team to move England international Jermain Defoe for a reported sum of £6 million as well as an Advertising Rights Agreement with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. According to reports, Jermain Defoe would be paid a staggering £90,000 a week, making him the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer.

To stay inside the MLS’s maximum of three designated players per team, these changes necessitated the trade of Matias Laba to Vancouver. Chelsea signed Jlio César from Queens Park Rangers on a short-term deal on February 7, 2014. Following a promising start in 2011, the team, like in 2010, fell apart after the World Cup break. Nelsen was sacked by Bezbatchenko on August 31 a day after a 0–3 loss to the New England Revolution at BMO Field, where Nelsen blamed Bezbatchenko for placing the team under unnecessary media pressure. Greg Vanney, a former American international and Chivas USA assistant coach, was named head coach. This was the eighth year in a row that despite their record-breaking success, they were unable to make the playoffs. On January 16, 2015, Defoe signed a four-year contract with Premier League team Sunderland after only 11 months with TFC. Jozy Altidore, the other part of Sunderland’s player exchange, arrived in Toronto the same day. The following day, the team announced the signing of Juventus‘ Sebastian Giovinco, who would earn $7 million a year.

Contenders in the league and treble (2015–2017)

After Steven Caldwell’s retirement in 2015, Michael Bradley was named team captain and is the squad’s longest-serving captain. In a 3–2 win over Chicago on September 26, 2015, Giovinco scored and assisted on both of his team’s goals, shattering Chris Wondolowski’s league record of 35 points. TFC’s Giovinco became the first player to win the MLS Golden Boot, MLS MVP, and MLS Newcomer of the Year Award with a final point tally of 22 goals and 16 assists. As the league’s leading scorer and assister, he became the first player in MLS history to be named to both the All-Star Game and MLS Best XI. On October 14, Toronto FC qualified for the playoffs for the first time in the club’s history. In the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, the squad lost 3–0 to Canadian Classique rivals Montreal Impact in the knockout round.

Toronto FC defeated Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2–2 on aggregate on June 29, 2016, claiming the Canadian Championship on away goals. On July 23, 2016, Giovinco scored a hat-trick in Toronto FC’s 4–1 home win over D.C. United, surpassing De Rosario’s previous all-time record of 35 goals as Toronto FC’s best scorer. For the second year in a row, Toronto FC qualified for the playoffs. The squad then defeated the Philadelphia Union 1-0 at BMO Field in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round to advance to the first Eastern Conference Semifinal in franchise history.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, Toronto FC defeated New York City FC 7–0 on aggregate to go to a showdown with Montreal Impact. 3–2 win at the Olympic Stadium on November 22 for Montreal in the Conference Championship first leg. When Toronto defeated Montreal 5–2 in extra time in the return leg on November 30 at BMO Field in Toronto, the result was 7–5 in favor of the visitors, making Toronto FC the first Canadian team to appear in an MLS Cup Final. Vancouver defeated Toronto FC 5–4 in a penalty shootout on December 10 at BMO Field, after the teams played to a scoreless draw in extra time. Toronto FC earned a berth in the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League after defeating Montreal FC 3–2 in the Canadian Championship final on June 27, 2017.

Toronto FC won their inaugural Supporters’ Shield on September 30, defeating the New York Red Bulls 4–2 at home to secure the league’s top spot with the most points. For the first time in their history, they became the first Canadian team to take home the Supporters’ Shield. Toronto FC finished the regular season with 69 points, one more than the 1998 LA Galaxy, after a 2–2 draw away at Atlanta United FC on October 22, the final day of the season. After beating Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference Finals by a score of 1–0 on aggregate on November 29, 2017, Toronto FC advanced to the MLS Cup Finals for the second time in three years. It was a repeat of the MLS Cup final from the previous year when Toronto FC beat Seattle 2–0 at home on December 9, 2017. Toronto FC became the first MLS team to win a domestic triple and the first Canadian team to win the MLS Cup with their victory in the playoffs.

Post-MLS Cup win (2018–present)

On February 20, 2018, Toronto FC beat the Colorado Rapids 2–0 in the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League round of 16 away from home in the United States. A goalless draw in the return leg against Colorado on February 27 put TFC in the quarterfinals against Tigres UANL of Mexico, who they beat 2–1 at home in the first leg. TFC was defeated 3–2 in the second leg of the quarterfinals in Mexico on March 13 but still advanced to the semifinals on away goals following a 4–4 aggregate draw.

TFC tied 1–1 with Club América at the Estadio Azteca on April 10 to move 4–2 on aggregate to the finals for the first time in their history after a 3–1 home win on April 3. A 2–1 away loss in Toronto on April 17 led to an aggregate tie, but a 4–2 defeat in the CONCACAF Champions League final on penalties. Toronto FC won the return away leg 2–1 on April 25, which led to a draw. When Toronto FC took the field in the inaugural Campeones Cup versus Tigres UANL later in the season on September 19, they lost 3–1 at home. After a 2–1 home loss to Vancouver on October 6, 2018, with three games remaining in the season, they failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Ali Curtis was named general manager of Toronto FC on January 4, 2019, following the resignation of Bezbatchenko. Toronto FC traded Giovinco to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal for an undisclosed sum on January 30, 2019, after failing to reach a contract deal with the club. In the wake of the departures of Sebastian Giovinco and Vctor Vázquez, Toronto FC signed Alejandro Pozuelo, a Spaniard, as a designated player on March 4, 2019.

After the Italian wore the number ten shirt, Pozuelo took it over. Tsubasa Endoh, a Japanese attacker, scored the fastest goal in TFC history against Atlanta United FC on June 26, 2019. They qualified for the 2019 Playoffs after missing them the previous season due to injury. It was the third time in four MLS Cup finals that Toronto FC had to face the Seattle Sounders in the final; they lost 3–1.

Argentine Pablo Piatti joined Toronto FC in February 2020 as a designated player, while Michael Bradley signed a new contract with the club at a lower wage. While Toronto FC made it to the round of 16 of MLS is Back at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Bay Lake, Florida, on July 16, 2020, they were beaten 3-1 by New York City FC.

Following the MLS is Back Tournament, Toronto FC played its six regular-season home matches at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut, due to Canadian government limitations linked to the pandemic.

Toronto FC Stadium

The $62.5 million project to build a new soccer stadium at Exhibition Place in Toronto was finished in time for the 2007 MLS season. When the naming rights were revealed on September 20, 2006, MLS’s official website stated that BMO Financial Group had purchased them. It’s Canada’s largest soccer stadium. City of Toronto-owned, but operated by MLSE (the team’s owner). A natural grass playing surface will be installed at BMO Field in time for the 2010 MLS season following criticism of the stadium’s use of FieldTurf and its rapid deterioration. MLSE paid $3.5 million to install a heating and drainage system in addition to the grass.

During the 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League, TFC played its first-ever match in the Rogers Centre, the 49,982-seat home of Major League Baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays, and the former home of the Argonauts. Toronto FC’s only away match from BMO Field, the 2013 home opener against Sporting Kansas City on March 9, 2013, was held at the retractable roof stadium, which was also the venue for a friendly against Liverpool of the English Premier League in July of that year.

As a result of the Canadian government’s response to limit cross-border travel during the pandemic, Connecticut governor Ned Lamont announced on September 11, 2020 that Toronto FC would finish their season’s home matches at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut, as well as during the playoffs.

Expansion

To prepare for the start of the 2010 Major League Soccer season, the team invested $2 million in a north end expansion that added 1,249 seats. The official announcement of a $120 million stadium makeover took place on September 23, 2014. The stadium’s capacity was increased by 8,400 seats, bringing it to 30,991. A new concourse, suites, washrooms, and roof would be included in well. The first phase of construction began in September 2014, and the project was scheduled to be completed in two phases by May 2016. When the Toronto Argonauts move to BMO Field in 2016, the expansion will fit a Canadian football field with artificial turf end zones, as well as hosting the Grey Cup that year.

Club Culture

Supporters

TFC’s first three seasons sold out, setting a new milestone for MLS fan participation. MLS commissioner Don Garber called the squad a “model franchise off the field,” and they were credited with kicking off “MLS 2.0” with their embrace of fan culture. The lack of success on the pitch sparked fan demonstrations against the team’s owners. As a result, MLSE reduced ticket prices in 2013 to 2007 levels in recognition of the poor quality of the on-field product. After the additions of key players Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley sparked renewed interest in the team, the team decided to cap season tickets at 17,000 for the 2014 season.

The Red Patch Boys, U-Sector, Kings in the North, Tribal Rhythm Nation, and Original 109 are Toronto FC’s recognized supporters’ organizations. To punish Inebriatti for starting a fire at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa during Toronto FC’s Canadian Championship match against them on July 18, 2018, Toronto FC permanently terminated Inebriatti’s fan status on August 23, 2018.

Toronto FC Mascot

Staff at BMO Field falconry keep Bitchy the Hawk, a female Harris’s hawk, as a deterrent to seagulls. BMO Field’s hawk was brought in to keep seagulls from attacking customers in 2007 and has since become an integral part of the stadium. Molson Canadian Amphitheatre (renamed Budweiser Stage in 2018) in Ontario Place to the south employs her as a seagull deterrent since the early 1990s. However, despite the lack of formal statement from the club, she has been considered a team mascot.

Rivalries

The Columbus Crew SC and the Montreal Impact are two of the club’s main rivals in Major League Soccer (MLS). There is a rivalry between Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Toronto FC competes in the Canadian Championships with the likes of Montreal Impact and Montreal Impact.

Montreal Impact

Montreal Impact, Toronto FC’s main opponent, joined Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2012. Their rivalry in the Canadian Championship had grown in the years preceding this point. Toronto and Montreal have long been bitter rivals in the National Hockey League (NHL), which makes it inevitable that these meetings will be confrontational. The 401 Derby, which refers to the Ontario Highway 401 that connects the two cities, has become a Canadian soccer classic since both teams joined MLS. The Canadian Classique is another name for this rivalry.

On March 16, 2013, 3,200 Toronto FC fans traveled to Montreal to watch TFC lose 2–1, breaking their own MLS record of 2,400 established in 2008 when they traveled to Columbus Crew. The Eastern Conference Finals of the 2016 MLS Cup were also a part of the 401 Derby, with Toronto FC winning the series 7–5 on aggregate to win the Eastern Conference.

Columbus Crew

The Trillium Cup has been contested since 2008 between Columbus Crew and Toronto FC. Despite the fact that the white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) is the state flower of both Ontario and Ohio, the gatherings have since stirred animosity. Nearly 1,700 Toronto FC fans traveled to Columbus Crew Stadium on March 28, 2009, where they watched a 1–1 draw and allegedly vandalized the stadium with flares. After the game, there were a few fights between the two fan groups.

A Toronto FC fan was tasered while being detained by police after overburdened security called them in. The cops were able to put a halt to the fights and make arrests. Toronto FC supporters boycotted the first replay at Columbus Crew Stadium when Crew management imposed limitations on them. For its part, Toronto FC won the Trillium Cup Eastern Conference Finals in 2017, defeating New England Revolution 1–0 on aggregate.

Colors

They use red as their primary color and other colors like black and white as their secondary colors.

A black sleeve with red trim and a vertical black band that extends the whole length of each sleeve make up the primary uniform, which is red with alternating lighter and darker horizontal bands. With white socks and blue trim, the secondary uniform features white socks with a big red horizontal band beneath a smaller blue horizontal band across the chest with either red or navy blue shorts (the choice of which is subject to the opponent uniform). Toronto FC’s secondary jersey colors were pale and dark grey throughout its first three seasons. White was the secondary uniform color for the next four seasons till it was replaced to onyx in 2014. Adidas produces the uniforms for all MLS teams. Toronto FC’s primary jerseys featured a shadow-print maple leaf in 2013 and 2014.

Toronto FC Ownership

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), which also owns the National Hockey League Toronto Maple Leafs, the National Basketball Association Toronto Raptors, and the Canadian Football League Toronto Argonauts, also owns the United States Soccer League’s Toronto FC II. MLSE also owns the USL League One’s Toronto FC. Leafs Nation Network, NBA TV Canada, and GolTV Canada are all owned and operated by MLSE. Sports arenas like the Scotiabank Arena are owned by the firm, as well as Maple Leaf Square, which is a joint venture partner in the construction of the nearby Maple Leaf Square. Leaf Sports & Entertainment’s partners include Larry Tanenbaum, the CEO of rival media companies, Rogers Communications and Bell Media, each of which operates one of Canada’s most prominent sports television networks (Sportsnet and TSN respectively).

City of Toronto, Canada

The city of Toronto is the capital of Ontario, a province in Canada. It is Canada’s most populated city and North America’s fourth-most populous city, with a 2016 population of 2,731,571. The Golden Horseshoe, which encompasses the western end of Lake Ontario and a population of 9,245,438 people (as of 2016), is anchored by Toronto, which had a 2016 population of 6,417,516 in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Toronto is one of the world’s most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities because of its international business, banking, arts, and culture hub.

Geography

In all, the city of Toronto measures 630 square kilometers (243 square miles), with a maximum north–south distance of 21 kilometers (13 miles) (13 mi). On the northern shore of Lake Ontario, it has a 46-kilometer (29-mile) long beachfront frontage and a maximum east–west distance of 43 kilometers (27 miles). There is a Toronto Harbour to the south of the city area thanks to the Toronto Islands and Port Lands. Outer Harbour, built to the east of downtown in the 1950s and 1960s, is today a popular spot for recreational activities. City limits are defined by Lake Ontario, Marie Curtis Park’s Western Boundary, Etobicoke Creek, Eglinton Avenue and Highway 427 to the West, Steeles Avenue to the North, and Scarborough–Pickering Townline to the East.

Climate

Until the turn of the 20th century, Toronto was on the cusp of a warm summer humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb), although this climate is still present in the metropolitan area, with hot, humid summers and freezing winters. The city of Toronto is classified as a plant hardiness zone 7a by Natural Resources Canada, with certain suburbs and surrounding municipalities in lower zones. There are four distinct seasons in the city, each with a varying length. Variability in the weather occurs year-round as a result of quick passing of weather phenomena (such as high and low pressure systems). Because of its dense population and closeness to water, Toronto has a narrow day-night temperature range.

Nighttime temperatures in cities are consistently warmer than those in rural areas throughout the year, with an average difference of 3.0 °C (5.40 °F) in all months. However, a lake wind can make it feel colder in the afternoons in the spring and early summer because Lake Ontario is cooler than the surrounding air at these times of year. During the summer, these lake breezes provide a welcome break from the sweltering heat. In addition to lake-effect snow, fog, and seasonal lag, there are other low-scale maritime impacts on the climate.

The winters are bitterly cold, with plenty of snow to contend with. Temperatures in the winter typically fall below zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). The wind chill in Toronto’s winters can make the city feel much colder during the city’s occasional cold spells with highs below 10 °C (14 °F). Sometime they fall below 25°C (13°F), however this is extremely rare. Accumulating snowfall is possible from November through mid-April in the northern hemisphere, with snowstorms disrupting work and travel plans. However, there are often periods of mild weather that help to melt the snow. The hot and humid weather during the summer is a common feature of the season. Most days, the mercury rises beyond 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). When temperatures rise above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and significant humidity is present, this can be dangerous.

When it comes to the transitional seasons, spring and fall are often mild or chilly with alternating wet and dry spells. During these seasons, daytime temperatures range from 10 to 12 degrees Celsius (50 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit). As a rule, summer is the wettest season; however, most of the precipitation falls during thunderstorms. About 831 mm of rain falls on average each year, and about 1,220 mm of snow falls each year (48 in). The number of hours of daylight in Toronto varies from 28 percent in December to 60 percent in July, with an average of 2,066 hours of sunshine every year.

Toronto Lifestyle