Could TFC get even better?
We’re left impressed, yet frustrated, by Toronto FC’s remarkable six- game winning streak, a feat rarely accomplished in this era of MLS parity.
Impressed because the Reds find themselves six points clear of second- place Columbus. Frustrated because we’ve yet to see exactly how good the league’s hottest team can be.
Consider this: coach Greg Vanney hasn’t been able to field anything resembling a fully stocked, first- choice team since Toronto’s 2-1 win over Orlando two weeks ago. And even that match didn’t include defensive anchor Drew Moor.
Toronto FC has been without Sebastian Giovinco while resting top playmaker Victor Vazquez. On Saturday, Jozy Altidore took a seat until Giovinco needed to be replaced.
And just when it looked like the Reds would return to full health in preparation for Friday’s massive tilt at Red Bull Arena, Giovinco hobbled off injured and Nick Hagglund suffered an undiagnosed knee injury.
It leads me to believe Toronto FC still has another gear.
The evidence? Saturday’s 3- 2 win over visiting Minnesota, a side TFC played off the park through the final quarter- hour after Vazquez provided a spark and Altidore became a schoolyard bully while creating the game-winning goal.
It’s all a warning to the rest of the league. The Reds are doing what they’re doing without any sort of rhythm or lineup consistency. Remember, TFC made seven lineup changes in Columbus before benching five wouldbe starters Saturday.
Looking forward, Toronto FC might have to wait another two weeks before it can truly say it’s playing at full capacity. Giovinco could miss Friday’s game and Moor might need another week to reach match fitness.
Still, that should give Vanney a string of six matches to see exactly how good his squad is before the league breaks for this summer’s Gold Cup.
We know the Reds are deep. What I want to see is how close TFC actually is to being in elite company.
THINGS I’ M THINKIN’
In winning their sixth straight, the Reds are now two off the all- time record in a single season. The Los Angeles Galaxy won eight straight matches in regulation during both the 1996 and 1998 seasons, according to Elias Sports Bureau ... Sporting Kansas City owns the longest regular season winning streak (nine). However, it spanned the 2011-12 seasons ... The Reds have two early season MVP candidates right now: Altidore and Vazquez. If Altidore ( six goals, four assists) can at least get to 15 and 10, he’ll be in the running alongside Vazquez ( one goal, eight assists), who’s currently on track to approach 20 assists ... Jonathan Osorio is having tests done to make sure an irregular heartbeat was due to a recent illness and not something more serious.