Reds will start season with lengthy road trip
TFC opens with eight games away from BMO, starting with Red Bulls March 6
Toronto FC has yet to kick off a Major League Soccer season at BMO Field, and 2016 will be no different.
The Reds’ schedule for the upcoming year, announced by the league Thursday, begins with eight games on the road, starting with the New York Red Bulls March 6.
Decision Day, the league’s final day of competition, however, will be played at home this year; Toronto hosts the Chicago Fire on Oct. 23.
The lengthy road trip to begin the season is due to construction on the second phase of BMO Field’s $120 million expansion. It also means Toronto will play at home for four straight games three times.
New TFC president Bill Manning is targeting eight points in those first eight away games, a difficult task when facing five opponents who placed ahead of Toronto last year.
The squad could face a hard time starting in June. Sebastian Giovinco could miss between four and six games starting in June if he is called up to the Italian national team for UEFA’s European championship.
Here are 10 TFC games to circle on your calendar for this season:
Sunday, March 6: Toronto FC at New York Red Bulls, 1:30 p.m. ET
Toronto won its season opener last year against fellow Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps, but this match against last year’s Supporters Shield winners is about as tough a start as the Reds could get.
Sunday, March 13: Toronto FC at New York City FC, 5 p.m. ET
Yankee Stadium was a challenging venue for Toronto last season; the Reds managed only one point out of apossible six. But on paper this is one of Toronto easiest early road games. The visitors will need maximum points to reach Manning’s target.
Saturday, April 23: Toronto FC at Montreal Impact, time TBD
The first time the Reds return to Saputo Stadium will certainly bring back some bad memories of the 3-0 drubbing that knocked the visitors out of the playoffs in October. Toronto will be looking to quiet the blue, black and white this time around.
Saturday, May 7: FC Dallas at Toronto FC, time TBD
Last year’s Western conference champions could put a damper on Toronto’s first home game of the year. FC Dallas has not visited Toronto since 2013, a game which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Saturday, May 14: Vancouver Whitecaps at Toronto FC, time TBD
The Reds walked away with a win in this game last year, and will be eager to do the same against the Canadian rivals again. Toronto has history on its side for this one: Vancouver has never defeated the home team at BMO Field.
Saturday, June18: LA Galaxy at Toronto FC, time TBD
Toronto could host ex-Liverpool man Steven Gerrard for the first time in an MLS game when the Galaxy touches down in June. Should Giovinco be called up to the national team for the Euros, this would be the Reds first game without him.
Saturday, June 25: Toronto FC at Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Reds got an away win and put nine goals past the Lions in two games at BMO Field last season. But Orlando could seek revenge in their first meeting of the season, which could be dangerous for a still Giovinco-less Toronto.
Saturday, July 16: Toronto FC at San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30 p.m. ET
With the mid-season game comes a new experience for the Reds, who will visit the Earthquakes’ Avaya Stadium for the first time. This is a good opportunity for the Reds to secure some crucial away points.
Saturday, August 27: Montreal Impact at Toronto FC, time TBD
Toronto FC fans will relish Montreal’s only regular season visit to BMO Field, if only to upstage the boisterous performance the Impact fans put on in back-to-back game at Saputo Stadium in October.
Sunday, October 23: Chicago at Toronto FC, 4 p.m. ET
All 20 MLS teams will play on this day, the league-designated “Decision Day.” If it’s anything like last season, there will be lots still to decide come kickoff.