Hungry for more, Toronto FC looks to extend franchise-record win streak

“You have to be greedy for wins. You have to keep wanting more and expecting more,” he said. “Once we’ve gotten in the mood of winning and the feeling of winning and the spirit of winning, that’s something you never want to go away.”

Runner-up to Seattle in last year’s MLS Cup final, Toronto was unable to convert ties into wins in four of its first five outings this season. It has been perfect since a 2-1 loss in Columbus on April 15, however.

Toronto’s run of victories has come during a gruelling 20-day stretch that included trips to Seattle and Columbus. TFC has outscored its opposition 10-3 en route.

Saturday marks Toronto’s first look at Minnesota, which has found its footing after a dreadful start that saw Adrian Heath’s squad ship 18 goals in its first four outings (0-3-1). In contrast, Toronto has conceded nine goals in 11 starts.

The Loons are coming off an impressive 2-0 decision over Sporting Kansas City and have lost just once in four games (2-1-1). Still they have yet to win on the road (0-3-2).

“They’re progressing as a team and it’s a game that we have to, for sure, take very seriously,” said Toronto coach Greg Vanney.

“We have a lot of respect for Minnesota,” echoed Bradley. “Anybody who thinks this is the easy game at the end of a hard busy stretch is going to be sorely mistaken … We’re not looking past anything. This is a big game and a big chance for us.”

Such warnings aside, Toronto is on a real roll. Consider the fact there were no five-game winning streaks during the 2016 season, and just three in 2015.

Perhaps most impressively is the way Vanney has rotated his roster to keep the squad fresh. He has used 19 players during the win streak.

The last two victories stand out in different ways.

Toronto had just five or six regular starters in its lineup for the 1-0 win in Seattle last Saturday but still played a solid no-nonsense defensive game, limiting the Sounders to two shots on target.

Wednesday’s 2-1 comeback win in Columbus was uglier, with a tired Toronto struggling to contain the Crew. Vanney changed formations — “a lot of adjustments, too many in the grand scheme of things” — and Tosaint Ricketts came to the rescue with 81st- and 90th-minute goals, with fellow substitute Raheem Edwards and Spanish playmaker Victor Vazquez collecting assists on both plays.

“The guys worked through all the challenges on the day and just kept at it,” said Vanney. “This team has guys who can make plays and we made plays in the end and got the result out of it.”

Given all of that, the points from the Seattle and Columbus wins are especially treasured. “Gritty, determined results,” said Vanney.

Sebastian Giovinco, who has been nursing a heel contusion, returned to training Friday and should be available Saturday unless the injury flares up. Vanney said the heel was black and blue and the Italian star unable to pull on his boot after the Orlando game May 3.

Midfielder Jonathan Osorio has been sidelined by illness. Defender Drew Moor is still working his way back to full training after a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat.

Bono looks to return in goal.

After Saturday, Toronto doesn’t play again until Friday at the New York Red Bulls. That marks the first of five games in 16 days — including the two-legged Canadian Championship semifinal against Ottawa — as the schedule cranks up again.

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Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Hungry for more, Toronto FC looks to extend franchise-record win streak

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