Does Toronto FC’s record season set them up for playoff success?

Sportsnet's James Sharman joins Sportsnet Central to discuss the incredible regular season record set by Toronto FC after their tie against Atlanta United FC and if their playoff performance will determine if their season was a success or failure.

Toronto FC capped the franchise’s most successful regular season on Sunday by setting the MLS record for most points.

Thanks to a 2-2 draw with Atlanta United FC in front of the largest crowd in league history, the Reds finished the 2017 campaign with 69 points, one more than the 1998 LA Galaxy.

Cheers to that.

While the significance of TFC’s accomplishment shouldn’t be downplayed, does this record-setting season actually set Greg Vanney’s team up for post-season success?

A look back at the five teams that had accumulated the most points in MLS history prior to the 2017 season yields some interesting results, most notably that just one of these clubs went on to hoist the MLS Cup.

Here’s a quick comparison of those five teams, plus the 2017 TFC squad, including each of their season results.

Team Points W-L-T GF GA GD Season result
2017 Toronto FC 69 20-5-9 74 37 37 TBD
1998 LA Galaxy 68 24-8-0* 85 44 41 Eliminated in Conference Finals
2011 LA Galaxy 67 19-5-10 48 28 20 Won MLS Cup
2012 San Jose Earthquakes 66 19-6-9 72 43 29 Eliminated in Conference Semifinals
2014 Seattle Sounders FC 64 20-10-4 65 50 15 Eliminated in Conference Finals
2005 San Jose Earthquakes 64 18-4-10 53 31 22 Eliminated in Conference Semifinals

*From 1996-99, matches tied through 90 minutes were decided via shootout.

Beyond that, teams that have finished first place in the MLS regular season over the last 10 years have won the title just twice. Looking back on the 21-year history of the league doesn’t paint a better picture for Supporters’ Shield winners.

TFC have a first-round bye and will play its first post-season match on either Oct. 30 or 31 in the conference semifinals.

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