Toronto FC still seeking winning formula despite unbeaten streak

Toronto FC finds itself in an interesting situation, having put together a six-game unbeaten streak to claw its way back into the MLS playoff race. 

On the one hand, TFC have collected 10 out of a possible 18 points during this six-game run and are just two spots and one point below the playoff line in the Eastern Conference with 11 matches remaining in the regular season. But on the other hand, the Reds have had to come from behind four times during that same six-game stretch to earn a share of the points on offer. 

Last Saturday’s dramatic 4-4 draw against the visiting Chicago Fire was just the latest example of the Reds falling behind and having to rescue a point from a losing position. Josh Sargent’s first MLS hat trick looked to have been completely wasted before teammate Derrick Etienne Jr. came off the bench to score a dramatic injury-time equalizer. 

Only twice during the previous six games has Toronto been out in front, and it has only held a lead for 78 minutes during that same span. But this hasn’t been a new problem for TFC; it’s been going on since the start of the season. Before this six-game unbeaten streak, the Reds had a lead in only seven of 17 MLS contests.  

Putting itself in a hole only to eventually dig itself out isn’t a trend; rather, it's become one of the defining themes of Toronto’s campaign. And while showing resilience and being able to fight back is a very good thing, playing with a lead and finishing off opponents is even better, a fact not lost on coach Robin Fraser, who cut a frustrated figure when speaking to reporters after the game against Chicago.  

"You have to be able to stop good teams, and I didn't think we were good enough in that aspect. ... The work and the character and the fight that we see every week, [I] can't say enough about it. But we can't wait 'till we're down to show that sort of urgency, and I think we're too good to be in a hole every week, and we show how good we are because we kind of climb our way out of it," Fraser vented. 

"But the fact of the matter is, we can't keep putting ourselves in holes. I want to make it very clear that I'm super proud of what we did to come back and to at least rescue a point. But I just feel that we are too good to put ourselves in this hole every week, even though we kind of claw our way out. We know at this point, we need three points, not one point." 

Simply put, this situation isn’t tenable for Toronto. It can’t afford to consistently gift its opponent the lead in games and then expect to get something from it. The Reds are making it harder on themselves by continuously having to fight back in matches rather than play from a position of strength that comes from having the lead. 

Just as worrisome for TFC has been its inability to put the hammer down. TFC’s 2-1 road win over Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Aug. 22 marked the first and only time in the campaign that they enjoyed a two-goal advantage in a game. 

Toronto has to find a way to jump out in front in contests, and by more than just a goal, to give itself a better chance at winning, especially as the regular season enters the home stretch and the playoff race heats up.

Elsewhere in MLS this past weekend

• The Vancouver Whitecaps still sit atop the Western Conference and second overall in MLS. But they were taken down a peg in a 3-1 home loss to St. Louis City SC. Emmanuel Sabbi scored in the losing cause against St. Louis, a side now unbeaten in their last 13 MLS matches

The loss capped off a tough week for Vancouver, who was coming off a disappointing 1-1 home draw vs. CF Montreal in the first leg of its Canadian Championship semifinal. Things don’t get any easier for the Whitecaps, who will host the LA Galaxy on Wednesday in their third match in eight days. 

• Wins remain elusive for CF Montreal, who are coming off a 2-0 road loss to the Philadelphia Union. The club is now winless in its last three MLS games and only has one victory in league play in 12 matches.

What’s more, Saturday’s defeat dropped Montreal into last place in the Eastern Conference, six spots and six points below the playoff line. A late-season push for a playoff berth appears beyond Montreal, who has the third-worst attack (30 goals scored) and third-worst defence (48 goals conceded) in the East. 

• Lionel Messi announcing his international retirement may be bad news for Inter Miami’s opponents in MLS. Playing in his first game since the announcement, Messi put in a man-of-the-match display in a 2-2 home draw vs. Atlanta United by setting up both Miami goals.  

With his two assists, Messi has 30 goal contributions (18 goals, 12 assists) this season. The World Cup winner is the first player in MLS history to reach that milestone in three different campaigns. The Argentine legend is also in pole position to claim an unprecedented third consecutive league MVP award. 

• It was an emotional night for Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau in Orlando City’s 1-0 home win over San Diego FC. Crépeau made two saves to earn his third shutout this season and the ninth of his MLS career. 

But Saturday’s clean sheet had to have been the most meaningful for Crépeau after his father Rémi recently passed away. Crépeau said: “It’s like you need to (compartmentalize) and put in a little drawer inside your head what’s happening and then focus on the game, and then after the 90 minutes are done, you can open that drawer again.” 

• Games don’t come much wilder than the Portland Timbers’ 5-4 home win over Minnesota United. Dutch striker Vincent Janssen scored twice to give the hosts a 3-0 lead inside the first half hour, only to see the visitors fight back to tie at 3-3.

Janssen completed his hat trick early in the second half, and Portland added a fifth goal in the 71st minute, which ultimately stood as the winner. Janssen is the first player in club history to score a hat trick in an MLS match after only joining the Timbers via a free transfer in July.  

• It was also a wild affair deep in the heart of Texas when FC Dallas posted a thrilling 4-3 win over Sporting Kansas City. Petar Musa's second-half stoppage-time goal from the penalty spot won it for Dallas. 

Musa had a brace on the night to increase his season tally to 18 goals, tied with Lionel Messi for first in the Golden Boot race. The Croatian forward also collected an assist (his fourth of the campaign) to help Dallas remain in fourth spot in the Western Conference.