This article was written after recording The Designated Pundits‘ Toronto FC preview for the 2026 MLS Season with special guest Jeffrey Nesker from “Waking the Red.” You can find that video on Spotify below.
2025 Recap
The 2025 season for Toronto FC saw them finish 12th in the east with a 6-14-14 record. While wins were hard to come by, Toronto had a stretch of 8 straight draws, which set an MLS record. Toronto had identical home and away records of 3-7-7.
While Toronto FC was hamstrung by their offense, their defense was 3rd in the Eastern Conference with only 44 goals allowed. A lot of their offensive struggles reflected a lack of production from their two Italian Designated Players: Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi. Both were bought out during the season, and did not finish the campaign.
At last, the experiment from the previous seasons is complete. Toronto got aggressive midseason and brought in Djordje Mihailovic and Jose Cifuentes, two midfielders who should be central to TFC’s plans moving forward.
Transactions
While the biggest outgoing names last year seem to be addition by subtraction, they did also lose goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Johnson, one of the top players between the sticks in MLS, will be replaced with Canadian Luka Gavran.
Incoming players may be impactful, as Toronto signed one of 2026’s biggest MLS free agents – center back, USMNT regular and perennial “Defender of the Year” candidate Walker Zimmerman, from Nashville
They also brought in a diverse wingback named Matheus Pereira and MLS veteran William Yarbrough.
The biggest incoming piece should be acquired between my writing and your reading this article. All signs point towards USMNT hopeful (and current Norwich City striker) Josh Sargent joining later this winter, and would become another huge star signing for TFC.
Depth Chart
Toronto FC is going to be playing a 4-3-3 this season. If Josh Sargent doesn’t make the transfer, the center forward and both wingers would be positions that need use upgrading.
The midfield of Mihailovic, Coello, and Cifuentes should be one of the best in Major League Soccer. They also have Jonathan Osorio for depth, midfield this a strength of the team.
While Toronto lost a top keeper, they improved on defense by bringing in Walker Zimmerman. He should pair well with Nicksoen Gomis or Henry Wingo. Both had availability issues last year, but either one starting next with Zimmerman would create a solid pairing.
Questions
- Which player, outside our projected starting 11, has the best chance to win a job?
- Malik Henry. He is diverse and talented.
- What are some realistic expectations for 2026?
- Playoffs might be a stretch, but if all the pieces (Sargent) fall together, that should once again be an expectation.
- What are some storylines to follow throughout the 2026 season?
- In Jeff Nesker’s own words, “Last Chance Saloon.” It has been a long rebuild, and if this doesn’t work, fans will be calling for management and the whole FO to be scrapped.
- What styles does this team match up well against?
- That’s hard to say with all the unknowns, but TFC should pair up nicely against teams that overestimated them. Columbus did (twice) during that eight straight draw stretch.
- What styles does this team match up poorly against?
- TFC could be weak against teams that want to play wide and against teams that press.
- What player improves the most in 2026?
- It should be Coello. He has great soccer IQ and great passing, but needs to add defense to become a more complete midfielder.
- Which player regresses in 2026?
- Jonathan Osorio. Father Time is undefeated.
Hear more, and follow along as I preview all 30 MLS teams before kickoff of the 2026 season!
YouTube- youtube.com/@thedesignatedpundits
Audio Links- linktr.ee/thedesignatedpundits
Bob Ventimiglia is a leading soccer podcaster and handicapper, renowned for his sharp analysis and consistent success at the soccer sportsbook.
As a founding member and MLS expert on the BetUS MLS Show, he earned “Capper of the Week” honors four times during his debut season.
Now, he is producer for “The Designated Pundits” MLS podcast and “The High Impact Pundits” NWSL podcast.
💸 BetUS TV MLS Expert (4x Capper of the Week)
📝 Member- North American Soccer Reporters
