Toronto FC kicked off the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) season with seven points from the opening three games. Results have been indifferent since, but can the Ontario outfit have a positive year in America’s top tier of soccer after last year’s dreadful campaign?
Who Will Win the Eastern Conference?
The battle to be the Eastern Conference champion in MLS this season promises to be fascinating. Having made a steady enough start, John Herdman’s men will certainly fancy their chances. Major League Soccer is a popular sport to bet on these days, and several of the top sportsbooks offer great odds. Soccer betting is an extremely competitive industry, so you can research review sites for the best odds and promotions. You can find vast sports and casino markets online, and Casino Stake’s online casino reviews show the latest betting offers. Right now in the MLS betting, Inter Miami is the favourite to win the Eastern division at 8/5, while Toronto is priced at 44/1.
The Reds made a great start to the 2024 league campaign, winning three of the opening five. After a goalless tie away against Cincinnati on matchday one, the Canadians picked up back-to-back 1-0 victories to make it seven points from a possible nine.
Italian legend Lorenzo Insigne scored the only goal of the game at Gilette Stadium to give Herdman’s side a 1-0 win against the Revs in game two. Six days later, Insigne was at it again, this time scoring late in the 1-0 home victory over Charlotte.
Back. pic.twitter.com/MMdNA7iI0J
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) April 6, 2024
After a narrow loss to New York City, Toronto returned to winning ways with a 2-0 triumph over Atlanta United in late March, with goals in either half doing the business. A couple of bad results have followed, but Herdam will be happy with his team’s start.
Looking Back on a Forgettable 2023
Last year was a bad season for all involved with Toronto FC. The experienced Bob Bradley only lasted a few months before Terry Dunfield took interim control from June to September. Neither could change the club’s fortunes, and Herdman was appointed in October.
Toronto went on to finish at the bottom of the pile in the Eastern section, suffering 20 defeats along the way. It was a disastrous campaign for the Canadian club, winning just four league games and conceding 59 MLS goals. They collected a mere 22 points and finished 29th out of 29 sides in the combined MLS table.
John Herdman says the team will look at what they can do differently to avoid conceding the way they did against the Vancouver Whitecaps. ⚪️🔴 #TFCLive
🗣️ "The goals we conceded were very disappointing tonight." pic.twitter.com/iNJaxHoMEy
— Toronto FC News Outlet (@tfcnewsoutlet) April 7, 2024
Herdman no doubt has a tough job on his hands at BMO Field. However, Toronto has already forgotten about last season and is looking ahead to a potentially positive future. The Englishman managed the New Zealand and Canada national women’s teams before being handed the role of the Canada men’s side in 2018. He had five successful years in charge of the Canadian international soccer side, guiding them to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Herdman is highly thought of in Canada, and the 48-year-old could be the man to take Toronto forward. After making a solid enough start, can the Canadians keep up the fine form and have a strong season in MLS? The Toronto soccer side is well worth keeping an eye on in 2024.
