Toronto FC: 3 takeaways from a disappointing night against NYC FC

2. Over-worked and under-gunned

From the outset of this tournament, Toronto knew a run at the title would be challenging. With TFC lifer Osorio out with an injury and top striker Jozy Altidore behind on training due to his needing to quarantine upon arrival in Toronto, two members of Vanney’s optimal starting XI were going to miss considerable time in Orlando.

Luckily for the Reds, the emergence of Akinola threw a tarp over TFC’s lack of match-ready depth at the top of the pitch. However, with Akinola’s hamstring seizing up, the tarp blew right off, and NYC FC was there to pounce.

By the time Altidore and Osorio were brought on against New York, the Reds were already down two goals, and those remaining on the pitch were in no shape to match the two newcomers’ energy. Michael Bradley played all 360 minutes of Toronto’s four-match stay in Orlando, and looked utterly exhausted on the evening. Omar González also looked gassed, consistently ball-watching and making some uncharacteristic mistakes.

Realistically, with Altidore relegated to substitute minutes, Toronto FC were going to go as far as the connection between Pozuelo and Akinola would take them. And if one of those two integral players isn’t in the side, well, it can only mean trouble.