Toronto FC Preview With John Molinaro of TFC Republic

TORONTO – Tomorrow, Colorado Rapids take on Toronto FC at BMO Field. This will be the first matchup between the teams since TFC appointed former Rapids Head Coach Robin Fraser. This will also be the first matchup since the infamous Djordje Mihailović trade. We spoke with John Molinaro of TFC Republic, who has covered the Reds since their inception.

Burgundy Wave: Robin Fraser’s in his second full season back at TFC. It seems like the club has the top end of the roster figured out. But it’s a lot of new and moving parts. What are expectations for the team this year? How much patience does the fanbase have for 2026 and beyond? 

John Molinaro: The expectation is that, at the very least, they should make the playoffs. Fans are frustrated that the team hasn’t made the post-season since 2020 and patience is wearing thin. Even though this is a new-look team that is still going through a rebuild, the general belief is that TFC have enough talent on this roster, especially within the recent addition of DP forward Josh Sargent, that they should be able to meet the bare minimum requirement and make the playoffs.

BW: Djordje Mihailović was traded from Colorado to Toronto last summer with a lot of drama. This is Fraser’s first game coaching against Colorado since being fired in 2023. His staff has many Rapids connections. Is this a revenge game for anybody? Two and half years is a long time for Fraser. For Mihailović, many of the people he was close with aren’t with Colorado anymore. How do Robin and Djordje feel going into this weekend?

JM: I don’t get the sense at all that this is a revenge game for either Fraser or Mihailović. Fraser has always spoken positively about his experience with the Rapids, both during his time as a coach and a player, and I know he rather enjoyed living in Colorado. Mihailović has put whatever happened in Colorado behind him and fully moved on. 

BW: At the time, it seemed like TFC paid top dollar, even overpaid for Mihailović, at the time. How has he measured up to expectations 8 months into the trade? How dependent is the offense on him? 

It’s worked out well for Toronto. He was exactly the type of player that they needed and had been missing for several years – a playmaking midfielder who can orchestrate the attack and also score goals. Thus far, he’s produced and lived up to expectations. The offence relies on him to be a key figure, but it’s not totally dependent on him, especially with the recent addition of Daniel Salloi via a trade with Sporting Kansas City.

BW: Speaking of recent people to move between clubs, what do you think of Kosi Thompson? What does he do well and what are his weaknesses? 

JM: Thompson showed a lot of maturity and growth last season, his fourth at TFC while registering career highs in starts (23) and minutes (2,121), and had his contract option picked up for 2026. His start to this season was less than ideal, though. Thompson looked far from his best while playing in the back line in each of the Reds’ first two games. With new defensive recruits brought in and more experienced players ahead of him in midfield, Thompson didn’t appear to have much of a future at Toronto FC. He plays with a lot of energy and commitment. But many pundits here in Toronto questioned whether he would be anything more than a depth piece.

BW: Walker Zimmerman and Josh Sargent were two big acquisitions this transfer window. I know Sargent just got here and has only played two games, but what are your early impressions of them? Does Sargent start and go 90 minutes on Saturday? 

JM: Zimmerman got off to a bit of a slow start with Toronto but he’s looked very solid over the last three games and scored his first goal for the club last month. I think he could be a key player for the Reds this season. It’s difficult to judge Sargent because he’s only played 65 minutes and made one start across two appearances. He’s looked lively in moments. I think he’ll start but I would guess that he doesn’t go the full 90 as he’s still working his way into full fitness.

BW: Lastly, got a lineup and score prediction for us? 

JM: A 1-1 draw. Projected starting 11: Gavran – Edwards, Zimmerman, Kuscevic, Laryea – Osorio, Cifuentes – Salloi, Mihailovic, Kerr – Sargent

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