Toronto FC is enjoying a surprise strong start to the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign under new manager John Herdman.
The team is off to its second-best start in club history with seven points through its first three games.
Toronto is also the only team yet to concede a goal in MLS play so far this season.
New manager Herdman says this early success is due to consistent effort and the team’s “next man up” mentality.
“No matter who we put out there, we can trust they’ll one: put the work in, and two: deliver at the best they can,” Herdman said in a media conference. “And I think that’s all I can ask of my players.”
The English manager technically joined the club as manager in August 2023 but only managed the final game of the season as he was winding down his duties with the Canadian men’s national team.
He said he keeps reminding the players to stay focused on the team’s goals is key to continued success as the season progresses.
“I’ll be saying the same thing all season,” Herdman said. “Just stick to the process.”
A key catalyst to Toronto FC’s success so far has been former Italy international winger Lorenzo Insigne.
Insigne joined TFC as a high-profile signing in the summer of 2022, but through injuries and a falling out with former head coach Bob Bradley, he failed to make a big impact before this season.
However, this season has been different. Insigne scored two wonderful goals in back-to-back 1-0 victories over the New England Revolution and Charlotte FC.
Both goals ended up winning the MLS goal of the matchday.
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The Italian told reporters through a translator that his relationship with Herdman has been very good from the start – even saying he now texts Herdman more than his wife.
Herdman said he enjoys the competitiveness and intensity of Insigne in and around the team.
“I’m really enjoying just the relationship at the moment,” the manager said. “At times it’s intense, he doesn’t give you a minute, he doesn’t give you a second, you’ve got to be at the top standard.”
While the vibes are high at BMO Field, the start hasn’t been completely perfect. One issue still plaguing TFC is a lack of scoring.
Toronto ranks in the bottom half of the league in shots and shots on target this season, showing the team is struggling to create a high volume of chances.
Insigne’s production has been good, but the team only has two goals through three games, with a clear lack of a quality centre-forward.
Ghanaian striker Prince Owusu has had moments of strong play but has not looked goal-dangerous, while Canadian attacker Ayo Akinola has not been able to do much in limited minutes.
Herdman even experimented with using midfielder and captain Jonathan Osorio in a “false nine” role at striker against Charlotte, which didn’t yield great results either.
“Due to the way the game went, I wasn’t able to show my best abilities in that role,” Osorio told reporters after the match. “But I gave, I think what the team needed in this game.”
It should be noted potential starting striker Deandre Kerr has been sidelined due to injury through these first three games. The young Canadian scored five goals in 16 starts last season.
Toronto next plays on March 16 against New York City FC.