2020 Toronto FC season

The 2020 Toronto FC season is the 14th season in the history of Toronto FC. The club entered the season as defending MLS Eastern Conference champions. They were scheduled to compete for the first time in the Leagues Cup, however it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They participated in the MLS is Back Tournament, which was the beginning of the resumed season following the postponement of regular season matches due to the pandemic.

Toronto FC
2020 season
OwnerMaple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
PresidentBill Manning
Head coachGreg Vanney
StadiumBMO Field
Toronto, Ontario
Major League SoccerOverall: TBD
Conference: TBD
Canadian ChampionshipQuarter-finals
Leagues CupCancelled
MLS is Back TournamentRound of 16
Top goalscorerLeague:
Ayo Akinola (5)
All:
Ayo Akinola (5)

Squad

As of February 21, 2020.[1][2]

No. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age) Signed in Previous club
Goalkeepers
16 Quentin Westberg GK (1986-04-25) April 25, 1986 2019 Auxerre
25 Alex Bono GK (1994-04-25) April 25, 1994 2015 Syracuse Orange
90 Kevin Silva GK (1998-01-05) January 5, 1998 2020 Toronto FC II
Defenders
2 Justin Morrow LB / LWB / CB (1987-10-04) October 4, 1987 2014 San Jose Earthquakes
3 Eriq Zavaleta CB (1992-08-02) August 2, 1992 2015 Seattle Sounders
5 Julian Dunn CB (2000-07-11) July 11, 2000 2018 Toronto FC II
12 Rocco Romeo CB (2000-03-25) March 25, 2000 2020 Toronto FC II
22 Richie Laryea RB (1995-01-07) January 7, 1995 2019 Orlando City
23 Chris Mavinga CB / LB (1991-05-26) May 26, 1991 2017 Rubin Kazan
26 Laurent Ciman CB (1985-08-05) August 5, 1985 2018 Dijon
44 Omar Gonzalez CB (1988-10-11) October 11, 1988 2019 Pachuca
96 Auro Jr. RB / RWB (1996-01-23) January 23, 1996 2018 São Paulo
Midfielders
4 Michael Bradley CM (1987-07-31) July 31, 1987 2014 Roma
8 Marky Delgado CM (1995-05-16) May 16, 1995 2015 Chivas USA
10 Alejandro Pozuelo AM (1991-09-20) September 20, 1991 2019 Genk
18 Nick DeLeon RB / RM (1990-07-17) July 17, 1990 2018 D.C. United
21 Jonathan Osorio AM / CM (1992-06-12) June 12, 1992 2013 SC Toronto
27 Liam Fraser DM (1998-02-13) February 13, 1998 2018 Toronto FC II
31 Tsubasa Endoh MF (1993-08-20) August 20, 1993 2019 Toronto FC II
59 Noble Okello MF (2000-07-20) July 20, 2000 2019 Toronto FC II
Forwards
7 Pablo Piatti LW/RW (1989-03-31) March 31, 1989 2020 Espanyol
9 Erickson Gallardo RW (1996-07-26) July 26, 1996 2019 Zamora
13 Patrick Mullins FW (1992-02-05) February 5, 1992 2019 Columbus Crew
15 Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty FW (2004-06-16) June 16, 2004 2020 Toronto FC II
17 Jozy Altidore CF (1989-11-06) November 6, 1989 2015 Sunderland
19 Griffin Dorsey FW (1999-03-05) March 5, 1999 2019 Indiana Hoosiers
20 Ayo Akinola ST (2000-01-20) January 20, 2000 2018 Toronto FC Academy
24 Jacob Shaffelburg FW (1999-11-26) November 26, 1999 2019 Toronto FC II
80 Jayden Nelson FW (2002-09-26) September 26, 2002 2020 Toronto FC II
99 Ifunanyachi Achara FW (1997-09-28) September 28, 1997 2020 Georgetown Hoyas

Roster slots

Toronto has eight International roster slots and three Designated Player slots available for use in the 2020 season.

Transfers
Note: All figures in United States dollars.

In
No. Pos. Player From Fee/Notes Date Source
12 CB Rocco Romeo Toronto FC II Homegrown signing January 21, 2020 [3]
15 FW Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty Toronto FC II Homegrown signing January 22, 2020 [4]
80 FW Jayden Nelson Toronto FC II Homegrown signing January 23, 2020 [5]
7 FW Pablo Piatti Espanyol Designated player February 7, 2020 [6]
99 FW Ifunanyachi Achara Georgetown Hoyas Signed draft pick February 21, 2020 [7]
90 GK Kevin Silva Toronto FC II Signed first team deal July 3, 2020 [8]

Draft picks
Main article: 2020 MLS SuperDraft

The following players were selected by Toronto FC in the 2020 SuperDraft held on January 9.[9]

Out

Transferred out
No. Pos. Player To Fee/Notes Date Source
14 MF Jay Chapman Inter Miami Traded for $100,000 in GAM November 13, 2019 [10]
3 CB Drew Moor Colorado Rapids Out of contract November 21, 2019 [11]
28 GK Caleb Patterson-Sewell Option declined November 21, 2019 [11]
5 DF Ashtone Morgan Real Salt Lake Option declined November 21, 2019 [11]
55 MF Aidan Daniels Colorado Springs Switchbacks Option declined November 21, 2019 [11]
54 FW Ryan Telfer Nea Salamis Option declined November 21, 2019 [11]
11 FW Jon Bakero Phoenix Rising Option declined November 21, 2019 [11]
7 MF Nicolas Benezet Colorado Rapids Traded for $50,000 in GAM January 12, 2020 [11]

Loaned out
No. Pos. Player Loaned to Fee/Notes Date Source
5 DF Julian Dunn Valour FC Season long loan August 10, 2020 [12]
12 DF Rocco Romeo HB Køge Year long loan August 14, 2020 [13]

Pre-season

Toronto FC's pre-season officially began on January 18 when players and staff attended BMO Training Ground to undergo medical evaluations. Their first official training session of the season occurred on January 20 in Orlando, Florida as part of the team's preliminary training camp. The team resumed training camp on February 5 at the University of California, Irvine and played a series of friendly matches.[14]

Matches
February 8 FriendlyToronto FC4–0Colorado RapidsIrvine, California
11:00am PT Gallardo  20'
Altidore  46'
Osorio  49'
Shaffelburg  67'		 Report Stadium: University of California, Irvine
Note: Match featured two 60-minute halves.
February 10 FriendlyUC Irvine0–2Toronto FCIrvine, California
10:00am PT Report Achara
o.g. 		Stadium: University of California, Irvine
February 12 FriendlyLos Angeles FC3–1Toronto FCLos Angeles, California
12:00pm PT Rodríguez  20'
Blessing  74'
Torres  81'		 Report Achara  51' Stadium: Banc of California Stadium
February 15 FriendlyLA Galaxy1–2Toronto FCCarson, California
3:00pm PT Katai  32'
Pavón  37'		 Report
Report		 Achara  45+2'
Pozuelo  77' (pen.)		 Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
February 19 FriendlyToronto FC0–2Chicago FireIrvine, California
3:00pm PT Report Slonina  15'
Collier  31'		 Stadium: University of California, Irvine
February 22 FriendlyToronto FC1–1Colorado RapidsCarson, California
12:00pm PT Endoh  1' Report Shinyashiki  3' Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park

Competitions

Major League Soccer
Main article: 2020 Major League Soccer season

League tables

Summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
2 1 1 0 3 2  +1 4 1 0 0 1 0  +1 0 1 0 2 2  0

Results by round
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
GroundAHNNNHAHAHHAAHAAHHHAHAAHHAHHAAHAHA
ResultDWDWD
Position[lower-alpha 1]54422
Source:
A = Away; H = Home; N = Neutral; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed

Matches

The 2020 Major League Soccer schedule was released in full on December 19, 2019, 12:00pm ET.[15]

February 29 1San Jose Earthquakes2–2Toronto FCSan Jose, California
5:30pm ET Thompson  33'
Ríos  53'
Yueill  70'
Kashia  81'
Alanís  90+5'
Wondolowski  90+6'		 Report Pozuelo  40' (pen.)
Laryea  51'
Altidore  71'
Endoh  90+4'		 Stadium: Avaya Stadium
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: Armando Villarreal
March 7 2Toronto FC1–0New York City FCToronto, Ontario
5:00pm ET Achara  81'
Auro  87'		 Report Ring  22'
Sands  35'
Parks  69'		 Stadium: BMO Field
Attendance: 26,171
Referee: Ted Unkel
March 14 3Toronto FCP–PNashville SCToronto, Ontario
Stadium: BMO Field
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of March 14 after the season was suspended on March 12, for 30 days, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16]
March 21 4FC CincinnatiP–PToronto FCCincinnati, Ohio
Stadium: Nippert Stadium
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of March 21 after the season was suspended on March 12, for 30 days, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16]
April 4 5Columbus CrewP–PToronto FCColumbus, Ohio
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of April 4 after the season was suspended on March 12, for 30 days, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16]
April 11 6Toronto FCP–PNew York Red BullsToronto, Ontario
Stadium: BMO Field
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of April 11 after the season's suspension was extended on March 19, until May 10, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]
April 15 7D.C. UnitedP–PToronto FCWashington, D.C.
Stadium: Audi Field
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of April 15 after the season's suspension was extended on March 19, until May 10, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]
April 18 8Toronto FCP–PLA GalaxyToronto, Ontario
Stadium: BMO Field
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of April 18 after the season's suspension was extended on March 19, until May 10, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]
April 25 9Inter MiamiP–PToronto FCFort Lauderdale, Florida
Stadium: Inter Miami CF Stadium
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of April 25 after the season's suspension was extended on March 19, until May 10, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]
April 29 10Toronto FCP–PNew England RevolutionToronto, Ontario
Stadium: BMO Field
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of April 29 after the season's suspension was extended on March 19, until May 10, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]
May 2 11Toronto FCP–PVancouver WhitecapsToronto, Ontario
Stadium: BMO Field
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of May 2 after the season's suspension was extended on March 19, until May 10, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]
May 9 12Sporting Kansas CityP–PToronto FCKansas City, Kansas
Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of May 9 after the season's suspension was extended on March 19, until May 10, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]
May 13 13New York City FCP–PToronto FCThe Bronx, New York
7:00pm ET Stadium: Yankee Stadium
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of May 13 after the season's suspension was extended on April 17, until June 8, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18]
May 16 14Toronto FCP–PFC CincinnatiToronto, Ontario
5:30pm ET Stadium: BMO Field
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of May 16 after the season's suspension was extended on April 17, until June 8, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18]
May 23 15New England RevolutionP–PToronto FCFoxborough, Massachusetts
7:30pm ET Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of May 23 after the season's suspension was extended on April 17, until June 8, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18]
May 27 16Atlanta UnitedP–PToronto FCAtlanta, Georgia
7:30pm ET Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of May 16 after the season's suspension was extended on April 17, until June 8, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18]
May 31 17Toronto FCP–PInter MiamiToronto, Ontario
6:00pm ET Stadium: BMO Field
Note: Match was postponed from its original date of May 31 after the season's suspension was extended on April 17, until June 8, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18]
June 13 18Toronto FCP–PMontreal ImpactToronto, Ontario
7:30pm ET Stadium: BMO Field
June 17 19Toronto FCP–PChicago FireToronto, Ontario
8:00pm ET Stadium: BMO Field
June 20 20Colorado RapidsP–PToronto FCCommerce City, Colorado
9:00pm ET Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
June 27 21Toronto FCP–PReal Salt LakeToronto, Ontario
8:00pm ET Stadium: BMO Field
July 4 22Orlando CityP–PToronto FCOrlando, Florida
7:30pm ET Stadium: Exploria Stadium
July 11 23Philadelphia UnionP–PToronto FCChester, Pennsylvania
7:30pm ET Stadium: Talen Energy Stadium
July 18 24Toronto FCP–PSeattle SoundersToronto, Ontario
7:00pm ET Stadium: BMO Field
July 25 25Toronto FCP–PD.C. UnitedToronto, Ontario
7:30pm ET Stadium: BMO Field
August 1 26Chicago FirevToronto FCChicago, Illinois
8:00pm ET Stadium: Soldier Field
August 8 27Toronto FCvColumbus CrewToronto, Ontario
7:30pm ET Stadium: BMO Field
August 15 28Toronto FCvPhiladelphia UnionToronto, Ontario
6:00pm ET Stadium: BMO Field
August 22 29Montreal ImpactvToronto FCMontreal, Quebec
8:00pm ET Stadium: Saputo Stadium
August 29 30Houston DynamovToronto FCHouston, Texas
9:00pm ET Stadium: BBVA Stadium
September 12 31Toronto FCvAtlanta UnitedToronto, Ontario
7:30pm ET Stadium: BMO Field
September 19 32Portland TimbersvToronto FCPortland, Oregon
9:00pm ET Stadium: Providence Park
September 26 33Toronto FCvOrlando CityToronto, Ontario
7:00pm ET Stadium: BMO Field
October 4 34New York Red BullsvToronto FCHarrison, New Jersey
4:30pm ET Stadium: Red Bull Arena

Canadian Championship
Main article: 2020 Canadian Championship

Qualification

As part of the MLS regular season, Canada's three Major League Soccer clubs will play each other three times from August 18 to September 16. The team with the most points from this series will qualify for the Canadian Championship.[19]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Toronto FC 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3 2020 Canadian Championship Final
2 Montreal Impact 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0
Updated to match(es) played on August 18, 2020. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) goal differential; 4) goals for; 5) away goal differential; 6) away goals for; 7) home goal differential; 8) home goals for 9) coin toss or drawing of lots.

Leagues Cup
Main article: 2020 Leagues Cup

Toronto FC was set to compete for the first time in the Leagues Cup after not qualifying the CONCACAF Champions League and finishing in fourth place in the Eastern Conference during the 2019 regular season. They were to host a club from Liga MX in Mexico and entered the draw as the fifth seeded MLS team.[20] The tournament was cancelled on May 19, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[21]

July 21/22 Round of 16Toronto FC v TBDToronto, Ontario
Stadium: BMO Field

MLS is Back Tournament
Main article: MLS is Back Tournament

Group stage

Group C
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Toronto FC 3 1 2 0 6 5 +1 5 Advanced to knockout stage
2 New England Revolution 3 1 2 0 2 1 +1 5
3 Montreal Impact 3 1 0 2 4 5 −1 3
4 D.C. United 3 0 2 1 3 4 −1 2
Source: MLS
July 13 3Toronto FC2–2D.C. UnitedBay Lake, Florida
9:00am EST Akinola  12', 44' Report Moreno  18'  45+6'
Felipe  71'
Canouse  82'
Higuaín  84'
Brillant  90+1'		 Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Note: The match originally scheduled for July 10, 2020, 8:00 p.m. EDT, was rescheduled to July 12 due to Toronto FC's delayed arrival in Florida. As a result, the match between San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders FC, originally scheduled for July 10, 2020, 10:30 p.m. EDT, was moved to 9:00 p.m. EDT.[22] The match on July 12 was postponed minutes prior to kickoff due to at least one player testing positive for COVID-19.[23][24] Later that day the match was rescheduled for the following day, July 13.[25]
July 16 4Montreal Impact3–4Toronto FCBay Lake, Florida
8:00pm EST Maciel  6'
Quioto  14'
Taïder  37' (pen.), 90+5' (pen.)		 Report Laryea  8'
Akinola  25', 37', 83'		 Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Note: The match originally scheduled for July 15, 2020, 8:00 p.m. EDT, was rescheduled to July 16 due to the rescheduling of Toronto's previous match.
July 21 5Toronto FC0–0New England RevolutionBay Lake, Florida
9:00am EDT Bradley  50' Report Rowe  38'
Caldwell  41'		 Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Jair Marrufo

Knockout stage

Round of 16
July 26 Round of 16Toronto FC1–3New York City FCBay Lake, Florida
8:30pm EDT Gonzalez  15'
Osorio  83'
Mullins  87'		 Report Medina  5'
Ring  12'
Castellanos  55'
Sands  66'
Moralez  81'		 Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Alex Chilowicz

References
  1. "Players". Toronto FC. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  2. "Toronto FC announces roster decisions to conclude 2019 season". Toronto FC. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  3. Steve Buffery (January 21, 2020). "Toronto FC sign Rocco Romeo as homegrown player". National Post. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  4. Tom Bogert (January 21, 2020). "Toronto FC sign 15-year-old midfielder Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty to Homegrown deal". Major League Soccer. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  5. Tom Bogert (January 21, 2020). "Toronto FC sign Canada national team midfielder Jayden Nelson to Homegrown deal". Major League Soccer. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  6. "Toronto FC signs Pablo Piatti as Designated Player". Toronto FC. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  7. Bogert, Tom (February 21, 2020). "Toronto FC sign forward Ifunanyachi Achara after stellar preseason". Major League Soccer.
  8. Butler, Dylan (July 3, 2020). "Toronto FC add goalkeeping depth by signing Kevin Silva from TFC II". Major League Soccer.
  9. "Toronto FC Select Four Players in First Two Rounds of MLS SuperDraft". Toronto FC. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  10. "Toronto FC Acquires Allocation Money from Inter Miami CF". Toronto FC. November 13, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  11. "2020 MLS Transactions". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  12. "Toronto FC loan Julian Dunn & Dante Campbell to Valour FC". Toronto FC. August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  13. "Toronto FC Loan Rocco Romeo to Hb Köge". Toronto FC. August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  14. Singh, Michael (January 18, 2020). "Toronto FC officially begin the 2020 MLS preseason". SB Nation.
  15. "MLS releases 2020 regular-season schedule".
  16. "MLS suspends 2020 season for 30 days due to coronavirus". mlssoccer.com. March 12, 2020.
  17. "MLS extends season suspension in accordance with CDC guidance on COVID-19" (Press release). Major League Soccer. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  18. "MLS postponement extended until at least June 8 due to ongoing impact of COVID-19 pandemic" (Press release). Major League Soccer. April 17, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  19. Davidson, Neil (August 13, 2020). "Canada's MLS teams to play each other for next stretch of schedule". Lethbridge News Now. The Canadian Press. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  20. "2020 Leagues Cup details released: MLS and Liga MX clubs, dates and format unveiled". MLS Soccer. February 20, 2020.
  21. "MLS cancels 2020 all-star game in Los Angeles, two other showcase contests". Sportsnet. May 19, 2020.
  22. "Nashville SC vs. Chicago Fire FC game postponed, two other MLS is Back Tournament games rescheduled". Major League Soccer. July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  23. "Toronto FC's MLS is Back Tournament opener vs. D.C. United postponed". Sportsnet. July 12, 2020.
  24. "MLS Postpones Toronto FC vs. D.C. United Match". Toronto FC. July 12, 2020.
  25. "MLS postpones Toronto FC vs. DC United; match to be rescheduled". Major League Soccer. July 12, 2020.

Notes
  1. Eastern Conference position at the completion of each matchday.
  1. All matches in the MLS Is Back Tournament will be played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida.
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