2014 Toronto FC season
The 2014 Toronto FC season was the eighth season in club history. During the off-season, Toronto FC agreed to a one-year partnership with USL outfit Wilmington Hammerheads. Jackson, Justin Morrow, Dwayne De Rosario, Gilberto, Michael Bradley, Jermain Defoe, Bradley Orr, Collen Warner, Luke Moore, Dominic Oduro, Warren Creavalle and Júlio César came to Toronto.
Toronto opened pre-season on January 24. Toronto will start the season on March 15 against the Seattle Sounders FC and finish on October 25 against the New England Revolution.
Background
Background information
During the 2013 season, Toronto FC finished second from bottom of the Eastern Conference. They had finished 19th out of 19 teams in the 2012 season. Toronto held off renewal of season tickets "months later than normal — hoping that off-season moves have given ticket-holders a reason to get back on board." Toronto FC agreed to a one-year partnership with USL outfit Wilmington Hammerheads on January 22. In the deal, will receive a minimum of four Toronto FC reserve team players. Also included in the deal is invitation for the Wilmington Hammerheads to attend the club's pre–season training camp in Florida, the club's coaching curriculum, and an MLS club's professional environment which includes a business relationship and a friendly.During the off-season, Toronto acquired Jackson, Issey Nakajima-Farran, Justin Morrow, and Dwayne De Rosario. Gilberto signed as a designated player. Gilberto had "turned down deals in Mexico, Germany, and other countries." In addition to Gilberto, Michael Bradley and Jermain Defoe joined the club as designated players. Defoe was due to join Toronto on February 28 from Tottenham Hotspur. However, Defoe didn't join Toronto until March 9 due to International duty with England. Bradley Orr and Júlio César joined Toronto on loan.
The options on Gale Agbossoumonde, Joe Bendik, Mark Bloom, Bright Dike, Jeremy Hall, Chris Konopka, Reggie Lambe, Ryan Richter, Quillan Roberts, Emery Welshman, and Andrew Wiedeman were exercised. Joe Bendik signed a new contract. Greg Vanney was hired as Assistant General Manager and the Academy Director on December 11.
Tim Bezbatchenko confirmed that Darel Russell, Michael Thomas, Stefan Frei, Justin Braun, and Danny Koevermans would not return to the club in 2014 after their contracts expired or their options were declined. The right to sign Stefan Frei was traded to the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei was the longest-serving player at the club at the time of the trade. Richard Eckersley and Matías Laba were traded. Jonas Elmer and Toronto FC "mutually agreed to part ways." Emery Welshman and Reggie Lambe were placed on waivers.
Robert Earnshaw and Bobby Convey
Robert Earnshaw and Bobby Convey options were also declined. Bobby Convey had expected to return to the club. However, Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko stated that he wanted Bobby Convey back at the club and stated that he "could be an important piece." The club are "attempting to make the veteran's salary cap hit match his on-field production." Tim Bezbatchenko also stated that he wanted Robert Earnshaw back at the club. The rights to Bobby Convey were traded to the New York Red Bulls.Designated player search
The club was in the process of a "lengthy search" for a "marquee-designated player". MLSE President Tim Leiweke, Club General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko, and Head Coach Ryan Nelsen traveled to Europe in October 2013 to search for such a player. Leiweke was quoted, stating, that "the days of us putting our toe in the water and trying to find a cheap DP are over. We're going to go swing for the fences." The club wanted to sign two strikers in the January transfer window and were at the "top of the list." The attention was on clubs in the Premier League and Serie A. Jermain Defoe, Alberto Gilardino Samuel Eto'o and Fabio Quagliarella were rumoured to join Toronto FC. The club denied the report about signing Defoe, but Bezbatchenko stated that "it's obvious the public "knows" who the targets are." Bezbatchenko also stated that "We've identified 3–5 that would fit the role" and that "We're really on two." Another name in the media was Gilberto. Toronto FC was in competition with clubs in La Liga, Liga MX, Serie A, and Bundesliga for Gilberto's signature. Gilberto was in Toronto and was at the Toronto Raptors game on December 10. Gilberto signed for the club on December 14. Michael Bradley and Defoe joined Gilberto as designated players. Defoe joined Toronto on February 28. Defoe was part of a marketing campaign with the club. The club put together a television advertisement stating that it's a "bloody big deal" that Defoe is coming to Toronto FC. The ad was also online and had close to 60,000 views in a day. The ads were running on The Sports Network and Sportsnet with Toronto being the main focus of the marketing campaign. Even though MLSE was using Defoe in their marketing campaigns, British newspaper The Guardian stated "The money may be good but the club are woeful and playing in Canada may end the striker's World Cup hopes."Transactions
In
| Date | Player | Position | Previous club | Fee/notes | Ref | ||||
| December 9 |  Out
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