FanSided MLS
·16 January 2025
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Yahoo sportsFanSided MLS
·16 January 2025
In the first open press conference for Toronto FC, several key perspectives were shared, shedding light on the club's strategy for the upcoming season. Jason Hernández, deeply committed to the team's resurgence, emphasized the comprehensive project underway to restore Toronto FC to the upper echelons of MLS.
Following a disappointing 2024 season that saw the team fail to make the playoffs, Hernández confirmed that 2025 would mark a period of reconstruction. This process includes reshaping the team’s identity and implementing significant roster changes to foster a competitive edge.
Hernández’s confidence in head coach Robin Fraser is evident, as he believes Fraser’s leadership will be instrumental in translating their vision into success on the pitch.
"We are going to make a commitment to have players that are highly motivated, highly committed, will attack as one, defend as one, and are committed to outworking the opposition. There will be no free rides. So if you are wearing a TFC shirt, you will be running yourself to the ground for 95 minutes. That will be the ask. That will be the demand."Jason Hernandez
Fraser is tasked with not only improving the team's immediate performance but also instilling a winning mentality that will help Toronto FC re-establish itself as a powerhouse, reminiscent of their 2017 glory days. The club's primary goal is to secure a place among the top teams in the Eastern Conference and make a strong playoff run, a feat that has eluded them in recent years.
Key to this resurgence is the signing of Theo Corbeanu, whose role in the team's forward line is seen as pivotal. However, Hernández acknowledged that more additions are necessary, particularly to bolster the defense, which struggled throughout 2024.
The ongoing transfer window presents an opportunity for Toronto FC to bring in the right players to enhance the squad's depth and balance. Hernández and Fraser are actively evaluating potential signings that can seamlessly fit into the team’s strategy, aiming to build a roster capable of achieving their lofty aspirations for the 2025 season.