(ESPN)
Welcome to the second Season Preview of the 2023 MLS season! We are continuing this journey in the Eastern Conference with a team who had a very underwhelming 2022 campaign, Toronto FC. A full offseason for the team the gel around Italian star Lorenzo Insigne should do wonders for the club, but let's see how they look. For those of you who are new to MLS Now's work, thanks for reading today and check out all of what our podcast and blog site has to offer. Let's get into it below.
2022 Recap
Record: 9-7-18 (34 points/13th in East)
Team Leaders Goals: Jesus Jimenez 9, Jonathan Osorio 8, Federico Bernardeschi 8
Team Leaders Assists: Jonathan Osorio 6, Michael Bradley 5, Alejandro Pozuelo 5
2023 Outlook
Manager: Bob Bradley (2nd season)
Additions: GK Sean Johnson (free from NYCFC/33 years old), CB Matt Hedges (free from FC Dallas/32 years old), LB Raoul Petretta (transfer from Kasimpasa/25 years old), CAM Victor Vazquez (MLS Re-Entry Draft from LA Galaxy/36 years old), CF Adama Diomande (free from Odds BK/32 years old), GK Tomas Romero (MLS Re-Entry Draft from LAFC/22 years old)
Subtractions: LB Luca Petrasso ($400k GAM to Orlando City SC/22 years old), LW Jacob Shaffelburg ($300k GAM to Nashville SC/22 years old), CB Chris Mavinga (free to LA Galaxy/31 years old), LB Domenico Criscito (free to Genoa/36 years old), GK Alex Bono (free to DC United/28 years old), GK Quentin Westberg (free to Atlanta United/36 years old), CB Doneil Henry (free to Minnesota United/29 years old), CM Noble Okello (free agent/22 years old), CF Ifunanyachi Achara (MLS Re-Entry Draft to Houston Dynamo/25 years old)
Designated Players: Lorenzo Insigne, Federico Bernardeschi
Projected XI
The 2022 Toronto FC season was a disappointment. The team was hoping to tread water until the summer arrivals of Italian wingers Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, but the hole was too big to dig out of. A full offseason under both Insigne and Bernardeschi, along with prized MLS free agents Sean Johnson and Matt Hedges joining, 2023 will be a huge test for Bob Bradley in the second year of his project. The striker position is one to watch as the presumed starter Jesus Jimenez went ice cold in the second half of last season with just one goal in his last 16 regular season appearances. The club brought in former LAFC striker Adama Diomande on a free transfer, along with Ayo Akinola still on the roster. Competition is there but is someone going to win the job? I expect Toronto to be one of those clubs who missed the playoffs in 2022 but finishes well above the line in this incoming campaign. There's just so much talent here... oh and there's a third designated player spot open for the club to use in the summer.
Thanks for viewing our second 2023 season preview. There will be a new one out about every single day leading up to MLS kickoff. If you are a passionate fan looking to write about your club, we are actively seeking contributors for MLS clubs this season. If interested, message us on either Twitter or Instagram @MLSNowPodcast. We want to provide an outlet for fans to discuss their club on the site and also guest star on the podcast throughout the season.
Bryce Leslie
Twitter: @bleslie19
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