Another season, another rebuild that really means a slow start with a team missing essential pieces and at various stages of fitness. Jason Hernandez may be cooking, but he sure does like to leave it late and borrow ingredients from his neighbours at 10 p.m.

Also of note, and maybe moreso than possibly ever, this team cannot have a slow start. The fates have decreed that TFC needs to bank some points on this front-loaded campaign, or we may be staring down another lost season before the circus that is the FIFA World Cup comes to town.

Toronto FC burned by mistakes in season-opening defeat to FC Dallas

But, even after taking all that into account, we must be objective enough to see that this beta-test of the 2026 TFC squad had plenty of positives mixed into the negative roux. So, let’s not scream that the sky is falling. Yet. 

Let’s find more of that patience we have in very short supply?

THE GOOD

Remembering that in 20 years, this team has NEVER won in Frisco, Texas… Following along with Jmo as he eats his way through some Texas BBQ… New Away Kits are properly dope, especially close up, but only the authentic version. The Replicas are glorified T-Shirts for near $200… The fact that I can write complete sentences whilst it’s still nil-nil in the North London Derby in the 32’… New recruits look good, if rusty and severely lacking in chemistry with each other… EZE!!!!! 1-0…

Jason Hernandez and the FO doing the business, regardless of the timing… This team has more fight in one pinky finger than it did the entirety of last year… OMG WTF 1-1 Spurs, I want to die… Losing 3-2 is better than losing 1-0, especially away… Djordje with a nice goal for the first. That Oso pass was FILTH.

Fraser, Osorio pleased with Toronto FC fight despite FC Dallas defeat

THE BAD

Some REALLY dumb yellows, looking at you, Malik Henry… Looks like Soul-Crushing Individual Mistakes are back on the menu, boys… Nobody had a complete performance, everyone faded in and out, which I suppose is for season opener reasons… 2nd and 3rd TFC Goals? Well, they all count in the end… Alonso Coello grew into that game and then goes off with a knock… Rusty, rusty, rusty, and this with what has been called a “proper” preseason… Canada Hockey is who number 2 works for… Don’t rush shots from outside the box when you have both time and space… A more calm and composed TFC finishes more of the chances they create and maybe win or steal a point instead.

THE UGLY

Derrick Eitienne Jr. was re-signed as DEPTH. The opposite of STARTING CENTRE FORWARD…  Kobe and Kosi got absolutely COOKED. Maybe give them some time on the bench to think about what they did?.. Oh, Luka. Oh Boy. We’re going to need to workshop that… Walker Zimmerman may not be enough on his own to cover for the loss of Sean Johnson… The starting line-up… Why not start some of the new guys? And if you are going safe AF to start, and it stops working, RoFraze, you have some new guys on the bench, you know… Henry Wingo = Adama Diomande… Gotta go!