Toronto FC: Three hopes, one fear

Sep 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley (4) acknowledges the fans after a game against New York Red Bulls at BMO Field. Toronto and New York tied 3-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley (4) acknowledges the fans after a game against New York Red Bulls at BMO Field. Toronto and New York tied 3-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 26, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley (4) reacts to the winning goal against the Chicago Fire by Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore (left) at BMO Field. Toronto defeated Chicago 3-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley (4) reacts to the winning goal against the Chicago Fire by Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore (left) at BMO Field. Toronto defeated Chicago 3-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto FC are back in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Can they make this one count?

Last season, Toronto FC made the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in their history. So now that little piece of history is taken care of the question is now when will they do something in the playoffs?

On paper, this side is as imposing as any side in this year’s playoffs. With the three-headed monster of Sebastian Giovinco (18 goals in 2016), Jozy Altidore (10 goals), and Michael Bradley Toronto have had a tremendous regular as evidenced by their number three seed in the playoffs. Having already won the Canadian Championship The Reds appear primed to make a deep run and quite possibly deliver Canada their first-ever MLS Cup title.

But there is something standing in the way of Toronto’s grand designs: playoff win number one. If the club can get past the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday (7:30pm ESPN2, TSN) they will exorcise that demon. But until then there is a big fear with Toronto FC: that fear of when they are going to get that first playoff win.