Can Toronto FC Bounce Back? A Look at How Bottom-Performing MLS Teams Fare the Following Season

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The previous summer was tough for supporters of Toronto FC as well as fans of the Major League Soccer franchise.Ontario betting sites .

Not only did beloved club icon Michael Bradley hang up his boots at the season's end, but the team also recorded the lowest performance in MLS history, finishing with a regretful 4-20-10 record, amassing only 22 points – the fewest victories the franchise has seen in its 17-year existence.

This situation is not new for Toronto FC; this marks the third occasion where the club has claimed the title of worst team in the league. D.C. United and the San Jose Earthquakes surpass them in this unfortunate statistic, with their own records of five and four last-place finishes, respectively, since MLS commenced play in 1996. This prompts us to consider: what trends can we observe in teams' performances after being at the bottom of the standings?

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How Teams That Finish at the Bottom of the MLS Standings Perform the Next Year

Year, Team Record, Points How They Fared Next Year
2023 Toronto 4-20-10, 22 pts TBD
2022 D.C. 7-21-6, 27 pts 10-14-10, 40 pts, Missed playoffs
2021 Cincinnati 4-22-8, 20 pts 12-9-13, 49 pts, Lost East semis
2020 Cincinnati 4-15-4, 16 pts 4-22-8, 20 pts, Missed playoffs
2019 Cincinnati 6-22-6, 24 pts 4-15-4, 16 pts, Missed playoffs
2018 San Jose 4-21-9, 21 pts 13-16-5, 44 pts, Missed playoffs
2017 D.C. (tied) 9-20-5, 32 pts 14-11-9, 51 pts, Lost East first round
2017 LA Galaxy (tied) 8-18-8, 32 pts 13-12-9, 48 pts, Missed playoffs
2016 Chicago 7-17-10, 31 pts 16-11-7, 55 pts, Lost East first round
2015 Chicago 8-20-6, 30 pts 7-17-10, 31 pts, Missed playoffs
2014 Montreal 6-18-10, 28 pts 15-13-6, 51 pts, Lost East semis
2013 D.C. 3-24-7, 16 pts 17-9-8, 59 pts, Lost East semis
2012 Toronto 5-21-8, 23 pts 6-17-11, 29 pts, Missed playoffs
2011 Vancouver (tied) 6-18-10, 28 pts 11-13-10, 43 pts, Lost West first round
2011 New England (tied) 5-16-13, 28 pts 9-17-8, 35 pts, Missed playoffs
2010 D.C. 6-20-4, 22 pts 9-13-12, 39 pts, Missed playoffs
2009 NY Red Bulls 5-19-6, 21 pts 15-9-6, 51 pts, Lost East semis
2008 San Jose (tied) 8-13-9, 33 pts 7-14-9, 30 pts, Missed playoffs
2008 LA Galaxy (tied) 8-13-9, 33 pts 12-6-12, 48 pts, Lost MLS Cup final
2007 Toronto 6-17-7, 25 pts 9-13-8, 35 pts, Missed playoffs
2006 Columbus 8-15-9, 33 pts 9-11-10, 37 pts, Missed playoffs
2005 Chivas USA 4-22-6, 18 pts 10-9-13, 43 pts, Lost West semis
2004 Chicago 8-13-9, 33 pts 15-13-4, 49 pts, Lost East final
2003 Dallas 6-19-5, 23 pts 10-14-6, 36 pts, Missed playoffs
2002 D.C. 9-14-5, 32 pts 10-11-9, 39 pts, Lost East semifinals
2001 Tampa Bay 4-21-2, 14 pts Franchise folded
2000 San Jose 7-17-8, 29 pts 13-7-6, 45 pts, Won MLS Cup
1999 NY MetroStars 7-25, 15 pts 17-12-3, 54 pts, Lost MLS semifinals
1998 New England 11-21, 29 pts 12-20, 26 pts, Missed playoffs
1997 San Jose 12-20, 30 pts 13-19, 33 pts, Missed playoffs
1996 Colorado 11-21, 29 pts 14-18, 38 pts, Lost MLS Cup final

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Toronto FC 2024 Prospects Seem Dim

The 2024 MLS regular season kicked off on Wednesday with Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi leading Inter Miami to a 2-0 triumph against Real Salt Lake. Toronto FC is currently regarded as a long shot with +15000 odds to rise from the bottom of the standings and claim the MLS Cup this season. Their journey begins this Sunday against FC Cincinnati.Caesars Ontario Sportsbook Looking at the club's historical performance, it appears Toronto has considerable work ahead if they wish to reclaim their position at the top of the league, reminiscent of their victory in the MLS Cup in 2017 alongside stars like Bradley, Jozy Altidore, and Sebastian Giovinco.

The team based at BMO Field in downtown Toronto has previously finished in last place on two occasions. In 2007, their record was 6-17-7, leaving them with 25 points, but they had a valid reason for this performance, as it was their inaugural season. They made strides in 2008, achieving a 9-13-8 record for 35 points, yet still fell short of making the playoffs. This year, customers at online sportsbooks do not need to worry about keeping track of any expansion teams since St. Louis joined the league in 2023.

Fast forward to 2012, when Toronto posted an unfortunate record of 5-21-8, earning only 23 points and finishing at the bottom once more. The subsequent year offered little improvement - a 6-17-11 tally yielded just 29 points, resulting in yet another season without playoff contention. In fact, the club endured eight seasons without making the playoffs before eventually qualifying in 2015, gradually building a roster that led to their championship win in 2017.Ontario sports betting apps Now aiming to clinch the Eastern Conference title in 2024, new head coach John Herdman faces a challenge to turn around the team and lead them back to postseason success. However, history offers examples that ignite a sense of optimism.

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A prime example of a worst-to-first scenario in MLS is the original San Jose Earthquakes. They found themselves at the bottom of the league with just 29 points in 2000, but in 2001, they made an impressive turnaround with a 13-7-6 record (45 points) that secured them a playoff spot, culminating in a magical championship run, which included a 2-1 victory over their archrivals, the Los Angeles Galaxy, to clinch the MLS Cup.
Two other franchises reversed their fortunes to reach the MLS Cup final in the season following their worst-record years: Colorado in 1997 and the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2009. Out of 30 teams we analyzed (with more teams than there are seasons due to ties for last place), 14, nearly half, managed to make the playoffs the very next year. The league is currently in good health - hence regardless of how this year unfolds for Toronto, there's little reason to fear a scenario similar to the 2001 Tampa Bay Mutiny, who ended up folding after finishing at the bottom of the table.

Biggest MLS Turnarounds Ever

The odds are currently set at +575 for them to win their opening match against Cincinnati, which reached the Eastern Conference final last season. Cincinnati holds a -275 chance of winning, while a draw stands at +400.

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Jim Tomlin
Jim Tomlin
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