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Toronto FC: 5 big talking points after Champions League campaign

By Nick McAdam

ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - APRIL 25: Players of Toronto Fc react after being defeated the second leg match of the final between Chivas and Toronto FC as part of CONCACAF Champions League 2018 at Akron Stadium on April 25, 2018 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Refugio Ruiz/Getty Images)
ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - APRIL 25: Players of Toronto Fc react after being defeated the second leg match of the final between Chivas and Toronto FC as part of CONCACAF Champions League 2018 at Akron Stadium on April 25, 2018 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Refugio Ruiz/Getty Images) /
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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – APRIL 10: Bruno Valdez of America and Drew Moor of Toronto jump for the ball during the semifinal second leg match between America and Toronto at Azteca Stadium on April 10, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Luis Licona/Getty Images) /

3) Quality at the Back

Quality in defence is probably the biggest concern at the moment.

Let’s face it, heroics from defensive players such as Justin Morrow and Drew Moor really pushed TFC to a title last season. Even then, Alex Bono was left to bail out the back-line on numerous occasions.

Offensive firepower did the job in the Champions League to hold off Club America and Tigres. However, there were still some scary moments in those ties as well. It eventually all folded in the final against Chivas.

The quality has taken a dip in MLS, which is probably the worst transition from one competition to another. TFC have the third-most conceded goals in the Eastern Conference with 13 for a reason.

Pressure has taken a huge toll on the back-line, and other squads are starting to figure that out. The Reds liked to start play from the back last season. This year, teams are forcing the Reds to clear before they can get the ball to the midfield.

Five of TFC’s players that feature lowest on the match rating scale are defenders right now. One of those is Ashtone Morgan, who recently came off the bench but has failed to make a big impact in games.

Moor surprisingly has received some love with a top three finish on the scale. At 34-years-old, one has to wonder how much is left in the tank for the former Colorado Rapid.

Big positives revolve around Chris Mavinga, Auro and Eriq Zavaleta. Auro and Mavinga were each given steal deals from the Reds and they are both putting on some great displays. Zavaleta has the highest pass success rate on the squad and comes close to the team-lead with three clearances per fixture.

Trying to get Morrow going soon will be key to rounding out the defence for now. A new signing in Van der Wiel hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations, and the former PSG man is also getting up there in age.

Reinforcements at the back are a must for Toronto soon. Julian Dunn and Nicolas Hasler are hopefuls, but the Reds are going to need to get younger and faster to cope with their struggle against the counter attack and pressure from other teams.

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