To understand Toronto FC’s season you really have to look at it in two parts – the team’s play prior to the transfer window and its play since the reckoning that took place during. Let’s call it Before Reckoning (BR) and After Reckoning (AR).
There is little arguing that the BR Toronto was terrible. They had a 3W 3D 9L MLS record, had only scored 17 goals (1.13 goals per game) and had allowed an astounding 36 (2.4 GPG). The club’s 0.8 points per game record was second to last in MLS behind only Canadian cousins Vancouver.
AR it’s been better, although the perception of some fans might be that it’s been better than it actually is. TFC was so bad BR that any improvement AR is going to glow in comparison. However, the 2-3-3 record is refreshingly mediocre. They’ve scored more goals (13, or 1.625 GPG) and allowed much fewer (15, or 1.87 GPG). It’s hardly MLS Cup territory, but it’s a start.
Toronto’s AR record looks even better when you eliminate the games that took place in July, while the reckoning was still taking place. Once the dust had settled the Reds were 2-3-1 (1.33 PPG). That’s a low playoff seed.
Vancouver has also improved since the window. Pre-transfer window the ‘Caps were 2-8-10, for a league worst 0.7 points per game. They scored 21 goals (1.05 GPG) and allowed 28 (1.4 GPG). After the opening of the window Vancouver is 2-2-3 with 9 goals for and 15 against (1.14 PPG, 1.28, 2.14 GPG)
How do the Canadian teams measure up post window? Find out below the jump:
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- Galaxy 5-1-1 (2.28 PPG)
- Seattle 4-1-2 (1.85)
- Kansas City 5-3-2 (1.88)
- SLC 5-0-4 (1.66)
- Colorado 4-2-3 (1.55)
- Portland 4-4-3 (1.45)
- Columbus 4-2-4 (1.4)
- DC United 3-2-3 (1.375)
- Dallas 3-3-3 (1.33)
- Houston 3-4-3 (1.3)
- Vancouver 2-2-3 (1.14)
- Toronto 2-3-3 (1.125)
- Chicago 2-3-3 (1.125)
- New England 2-5-3 (1.1)
- Chivas 2-3-4 (1.0)
- Philly 1-5-3 (0.88)
- San Jose 1-4-4 (0.77)
- New York 0-5-2 (0.71)
Clearly, there is still work to do. However, it could be worse for Toronto and Vancouver – they could be the free falling Red Bulls.
We will track this as the season continues.