In a different year, I think you could make a really good argument that the New England Revolution and Toronto FC should be very similar teams.
Not just because they played out to a very even, if not frequently tepid, draw a few weeks ago, but I think both teams have above-average starting lineups in the East, probably some depth issues, and both have struggled with injuries, especially up front this year.
But as the Revs and Reds meet again for the second time in short order tonight at BMO Field (730 PM EST, Apple TV), their fortunes in 2026 could not be different.
While Marko Mitrovic has been able to generate enough scoring by committee, it's the Revs second-best defensive unit that has buoyed them up to third place in the standings. Meanwhile, TFC is in 12th at just under a point per game while giving up 32 goals this year, nine more than New England.
Seth Macomber
As has been pointed out by several members of the TBM politburo, the Revs aren't behaving like a third-place team in the transfer market currently. Yes Jack Harrison's addition should eventually help shore up not just the attacking wing depth but also fullback depth by putting Peyton Miller back at left back.
But New England has spent the bulk of this window transferring out players...notably Brayan Ceballos to Montreal and Allan Oyirwoth to Scotland's Dunfermline in the second division. While smaller deals like Eric Klein to RIFC and Tylon Smith in from QPR are in line with the Revs ethos of acquiring and developing young players, it's easy to wonder why the Revs perhaps aren't being aggressive right now.
Yes, the Mitrovic era is off to a tremendous start, but with rivals Chicago adding Robert Lewandowski and Atlanta United adding Breel Embolo as major striker additions, the Revs countering with just Harrison to shore up the wing is a choice and I think an understandable one.
With the MLS calendar switching over next year, it might be more beneficial for the Revs to wait on a big-name striker addition until then. New England being ahead of schedule in the standings maybe isn't enough for it to accelerate their plans of potential league domination.
New England is facing six of their next seven on the road, largely against Eastern Conference opponents. It would be nice for them to start this road trip on a high note. TFC is well out of the playoffs at this point, but New England will play NYCFC twice in this stretch (and the only home game on Aug. 23), have just one West Coast game against the Galaxy, and end this trek in Chicago on Sept. 13, a month from now.
Thomas Pinzone
Now to accomplish what would be a tremendously successful spell from home, the Revs absolutely need to get Dor Turgeman producing, Leo Campana just on the field, and I wouldn't mind an extended look at Wilson Harris who is giving off some Bobby Wood vibes in the best way as far as I'm concerned. But if New England at some point gets Harrison and Langoni on the wings with Peyton/Ilay Feingold in support from the fullback spot, I think they can survive without getting major production from a lone striker.
Toronto on the other hand, is still waiting for it to come together. On the surface, a team with Richie Lareya, Walker Zimmerman, Daniel Salloi, Johnathan Osorio, and Djordje Mihailovic should be a lot higher in the standings. This is still a dangerous team with that very strong core of league players, but perhaps a team that is more capable of competing with rather than beating people at the moment.
Not having Josh Sargent at full strength at times this year, however, has definitely hurt them and Osorio picked up a late knock in training and will not be available today.
Joining us as always is our good friend Tomas Karageorgos of Waking The Red to detail more of Toronto's lackluster year so far. Be sure to follow them for all of their game coverage.
Benedict Rhodes
1) Toronto has three draws and a loss since coming back from the World Cup, including our rather dour 0-0 affair a month ago, has this stretch been more good or bad for the Reds?
It is abundantly clear that this stretch has been bad for the Reds. Of course earning draws still gives you a point, but at this stage in the season, Toronto FC desperately need a victory having not won a single match since April 4.
TFC always find a way to either earn or drop points in devastating fashion. To explain further, Toronto had countless golden opportunities to beat bitter rivals CF Montréal on July 16, yet the match ended scoreless. More recently, the Reds suffered a 2-1 defeat away to D.C. United having conceded a second-half stoppage time penalty that was converted by United striker Tai Baribo.
This Saturday’s match against the Revolution is crucial if TFC wants to make a push towards the top half of the Eastern Conference.
2) Josh Sargent's transfer saga was pretty well known as he was leaving Norwich, has he finally settled in at Toronto? And what else needs to help jump start the attack?
In my opinion, Josh Sargent has struggled to find his footing with Toronto FC. He has only featured in 11 of 18 matches (mostly due to injury) and scored three goals and recorded one assist. That sort of return on investment has definitely not justified signing him from Norwich City for $22 million.
Attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic recently returned from a lengthy injury absence, and scored Toronto’s lone goal in 71 minutes of action at NYCFC last Friday. If TFC wants to start scoring more goals, it starts with Mihailovic because almost all the attack flows through him.
My player to watch will be Hungarian forward Dániel Sallói. He has gone through a rough stretch, going scoreless in the past seven matches. His goal scoring experience has helped the Reds earlier on in the season, and I believe that if he’s able to find the back of the net this weekend, then guys like Sargent and Theo Corbeanu will hopefully follow suit.
3) TFC is six points out of the play-in game currently but have five of their next six at home...any chance at making a run up the standings or is this going to be year six of missing the playoffs?
Right now, the outlook is bleak. Before the World Cup break, TFC played nine consecutive home games in league action. They were only able to pick up 11 points. Had they turned some of those losses into draws, and draws into victories, then I’m sure they would be in a much better spot in the table right now.
All of Toronto’s next six opponents currently sit in a playoff spot. For them to win at least three of those fixtures would be beyond impressive, although unrealistic considering the season they have had thus far.
My prediction is that the Reds won’t qualify for the playoffs for the sixth year in a row.
Projected Lineup/Injuries/Predictions/Etc.
Projected lineup: Gavran; Laryea, Zimmerman, Kuscevic, Gilman; Dorsch, Coello; Sallói, Mihailovic, Corbeanu; Sargent
Injuries: Jonathan Osorio
Scoreline prediction: 1-1
