After recent
expansion work, Toronto re-open the BMO Field with their first home game of the
2015 season against Houston Dynamo tonight.
After their
gruelling seven-game road trip to start the season, we
take a look back at the Canadians’ MLS history ahead of the live Sky Sports
encounter.
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| Toronto return home to an expanded BMO Field |
Factfile:
Founded: 2006
Stadium: BMO Field (now 30,991)
Best MLS regular season finish: 11th
in 2010
Head Coach: Greg Vanney
Captain: Michael Bradley
Top MLS goalscorer: Dwayne De
Rosario– 28
Most MLS appearances: Jim Brennan –
84
MLS
History:
Toronto became MLS’ first Canadian franchise in 2007 and despite
vociferous support, the Reds finished bottom of the Eastern Conference in their
first two seasons.
They are still to qualify
for the end-of-season playoffs but have been more successful outside of the
MLS, winning four consecutive Canadian Championships from 2009 to 2012.
They also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in
2011-12 and despite their on-field struggles they have typically been ambitious
in their signings.
Previous designated players including ex-PSV and Netherlands
striker Danny Koevermans, German veteran Torsten Frings and Brazilian
goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
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| Vanney took charge in August 2014 |
Head
Coach:
Former LA Galaxy and USA international defender Greg Vanney joined
Toronto in December 2013 as Assistant General Manager and Academy Director.
With just 10 games left in the 2014 season he was appointed head
coach for the first time in his career, having previously been number two at
Chivas USA.
He took over following the sacking of ex-Blackburn Rovers centre-back
Ryan Nelson, leading the side to a 7th place finish in the Eastern
Conference.
Vanney named USA midfielder Michael Bradley as captain ahead of
the 2015 season that has yielded three wins and four losses from their seven
away matches so far.
Current
Stars:
Jozy Altidore
Altidore had an unhappy time in England, scoring just twice in 30
games in a season at Hull City and three times in 50 games for Sunderland.
However, the USA international has netted four goals in six
appearances since moving from the Black Cats in January in a part exchange deal
for Jermain Defoe.
Benoit Cheyrou
The younger brother of former Liverpool man Bruno racked up over
400 appearances in French Ligue 1 before joining Toronto in January.
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| Giovinco is MLS' top earner |
The 34-year-old Frenchman has already played an important role for
his new side since his arrival, scoring once and recording three assists.
Sebastian Giovinco
Acquiring MLS’ highest-paid player, on a reported $7m-per-year
salary, Giovinco’s signing was a statement of intent that Toronto intend to
compete domestically this year.
The diminutive Italian international has gone some way to
justifying his wage bill already, with an impressive four goals and three
assists from seven games so far.
Rivalries:
Montreal Impact
The 401 Derby, named after Ontario Highway 401 which connects the
two cities, began in the Canadian Championship in 2008 but intensified with
Impact’s entry into MLS.
Montreal won the first league meeting in April 2012 and came out
on top in their latest encounter, winning 1-0 win in the Canadian Championship
semi-final first leg.
Columbus Crew
Crew and Toronto have competed for the Trillium Cup since 2008,
and although the rivalry is a manufactured one, their meetings have often
sparked hostility.
Crew have five wins to Toronto’s two in the mini-competition,
although the Reds were victorious last year with an aggregate score of 8-4
across the three meetings.
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| Dichio celebrates after scoring for Millwall |
Club
Legends:
Danny Dichio
Veteran striker Dichio had more than 350 English league
appearances to his name when he joined newly-formed Toronto from Preston North
End in 2007.
He scored the first goal in Toronto's history (before being sent
off in the same game) and was part of the 2009 Canadian Championship winning side.
After three seasons, and 14 goals in 59 appearances, he retired
from professional soccer to become TFC Team Ambassador and the franchise’s
academy head coach.
Dwayne De Rosario
Born in Scarborough in the city of Toronto, De Rosario began his
career with then-A-League side Toronto Lynx and joined Toronto FC in 2009.
He was named the second club captain in Reds history in 2010 and
that year scored for the MLS All-Stars in a 5-2 defeat to Manchester United.
Although he left in 2011, he returned for a final season last year
and retired as the all-time top goalscorer for both Toronto and the Canadian
national team.
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| Defoe spent less than a year in Canada |
Premier
League influences:
As well as Altidore, Toronto’s squad contains former Burnley and
Wigan centre-back Steven Caldwell as well as ex-Aston Villa and Swansea City
striker Luke Moore.
Jermain Defoe scored 12 goals in 17 games before leaving the Reds
for Sunderland in January, when he was just 11 months into a four-year contract.
Former players who have previously also appeared in the English
top flight include Robert Earnshaw, ex-Tottenham man Rohan Ricketts, and former
Newcastle midfielder Laurent Robert.
Did
you know?
- Toronto are the only MLS side to complete a full season and never to qualify for the playoffs.
- From February 2008 to April 2009 Toronto’s head coach was none other than current Newcastle manager John Carver.
- Toronto currently hold the MLS record for the longest scoreless streak at 824 minutes, set between 7 July and 22 September 2007.
Images courtesy of Harry How, Victor Decolongon, Jamie Sabau, Paul Gilham and WireImage, with thanks
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