2012 Toronto FC season explained

Club:	Toronto FC
Season:	2012
Stadium:	BMO Field
Manager:	Paul Mariner
Mgrtitle:	Head Coach & Technical Director
League:	MLS
League Result:	Conference 10th Overall: 19th
Cup1:	MLS Cup Playoffs
Cup1 Result:	Did not qualify
Cup2:	Canadian Championship
Cup2 Result:	Champions
Cup3:	CONCACAF Champions League (11–12)
Cup3 Result:	Semi-finalist
Cup4:	CONCACAF Champions League (12–13)
Cup4 Result:	Group stage
League Topscorer:	Koevermans
Season Topscorer:	Johnson
Highest Attendance:	20,071 (June 30 vs. New York Red Bulls)
Lowest Attendance:	14,623 (September 12 vs. Chicago Fire)
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Prevseason:	2011
Nextseason:	2013

The 2012 Toronto FC season was the sixth season in Toronto FC's existence. The club missed the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, having never made a post-season appearance. Their season began on March 7 with the quarterfinal of the Champions League against the Los Angeles Galaxy. They ultimately reached the semi-finals of the tournament where they lost to Mexican side Santos Laguna.

Review and events

Season

Toronto FC started the 2012 Major League Soccer season with a nine-game losing streak; a new league record.^[1] Aron Winter was dismissed as head coach and was replaced by Paul Mariner.^[2] Winter had only won one away match during his tenure as head coach.^[2] Mariner became the 7th coach in franchise history.^{[2] [3]} Prior to Winter dismissal, he agreed to take over the youth academy and Mariner would become head coach.^[3] However, the night before the changes were to be announced, he asked to be relieved of all duties.^[3] Toronto FC failed to qualify the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs.^{[1] [4] [5] [6]} Torsten Frings suffered a hip injury late in the season and missed the remainder of the season, ending his Toronto FC career.^[7]

On September 27, Toronto FC stated on their Facebook page that, "waiving ticketing fees" for the remaining home games between 10 a.m. on the morning of September 27 and 10 a.m. on September 29.^[8] Many season-ticket holders were angry over the discount.^[8] Paul Beirne, senior director of business operations, stated "it's the cumulative effect of a really difficult season."^[8]

On October 6 against D.C. United, some people in the supporters section wore paper bags over their heads.^[9]

Olof Mellberg

Paul Mariner showed interest in Olof Mellberg after watching Sweden vs. England at Euro 2012.^[3] The club pursued the player and agreed to a deal worth $3 million over two years was agreed to in principle.^[3] However, the league refuse to let the deal happen.^[3] The club was furious the league had decided to not let the Bosman transfer to happen.^[3] Major League Soccer claims that they went to the MLSE board of directors and try to convince them not to sign Mellberg.^[3] MLS commissioner Don Garber stated "Let's put Mellberg aside. The league hasn't nixed that. Toronto has decided it didn't make sense for them."^[3] A source that the Toronto Star says that would know of the situation stated that Garber's statement was "absolutely untrue. Not 99 per cent untrue. It's 100 per cent untrue."^[3] A rumour circulated within the club that "the league had polled other teams for their thoughts on the deal."^[3]

Competitions

MLS regular season

Match results

See main article: article and 2012 Major League Soccer season.

Results by round

Canadian Championship

See main article: article and 2012 Canadian Championship.

2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League

See main article: article and 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League.

2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League

See main article: article and 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League.

Overall

Overall record and club statistics

Games played	46 (34 Major League Soccer, 4 Canadian Championship, 8 CONCACAF Champions League)
Games won	10 (5 Major League Soccer, 2 Canadian Championship, 3 CONCACAF Champions League)
Games drawn	12 (8 Major League Soccer, 2 Canadian Championship, 2 CONCACAF Champions League)
Games lost	24 (21 Major League Soccer, 3 CONCACAF Champions League)
Goals scored	56 (36 Major League Soccer, 4 Canadian Championship, 16 CONCACAF Champions League)
Goals conceded	78 (62 Major League Soccer, 1 Canadian Championship, 15 CONCACAF Champions League)
Goal difference	-22 (-26 Major League Soccer, 3 Canadian Championship, 1 CONCACAF Champions League)
Clean sheets	8
Yellow cards	76
Red cards	4
Worst discipline	Logan Emory (1, 1)
Best result(s)	W 5 – 1 (H) v Águila – CONCACAF Champions League – August 1, 2012
Worst result(s)	L 2 – 6 (A) v Santos Laguna – CONCACAF Champions League – April 4, 2012
Most appearances	Ryan Johnson with 43 appearances
Top scorer(s)	Ryan Johnson (12 goals)
Points	Overall: 42/138 (30.43%)
Players who left the club during the season: (Statistics shown are the appearances made and goals scored while at Toronto FC) Top scorers Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted by shirt number when total goals are equal. width=15 width=15 width=15 width=150 Nationality width=150 Name width=80 Major League Soccer width=80 Canadian Championship width=80 2011-12 Champions League width=80 2012-13 Champions League width=80 Total 1 9 FW Jamaica Ryan Johnson 6 2 2 1 11 2 14 FW Danny Koevermans 9 0 0 0 9 3 11 MF Luis Silva 4 0 1 1 6 19 MF Bermuda Reggie Lambe 2 2 0 2 6 5 23 MF Terry Dunfield 2 0 0 1 3 6 7 FW Ecuador Joao Plata 0 0 2 0 2 22 MF Torsten Frings 2 0 0 0 2 8 3 DF Chile Miguel Aceval 0 0 1 0 1 4 DF Doneil Henry 1 0 0 0 1 8 MF Eric Avila 1 0 0 0 1 18 FW Quincy Amarikwa 1 0 0 0 1 18 FW Nick Soolsma 0 0 1 0 1 25 DF Jeremy Hall 1 0 0 0 1 29 FW Eric Hassli 1 0 0 0 1 32 FW Andrew Wiedeman 1 0 0 0 1 TOTALS 30 4 7 6 47 Top assists Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted by shirt number when total goals are equal. width=15 width=15 width=15 width=150 Nationality width=150 Name width=80 Major League Soccer width=80 Canadian Championship width=80 2011-12 Champions League width=80 2012-13 Champions League width=80 Total 1 5 DF Ashtone Morgan 5 0 0 2 7 2 9 FW Jamaica Ryan Johnson 4 1 1 0 6 3 18 FW Nick Soolsma 2 1 2 0 5 4 6 MF Julian de Guzman 3 1 0 0 4 8 MF Luis Silva 2 0 0 2 4 22 MF Torsten Frings 2 0 1 1 4 7 3 DF Chile Miguel Aceval 2 0 0 0 2 8 MF Eric Avila 2 0 0 0 2 14 FW Danny Koevermans 2 0 0 0 2 19 MF Bermuda Reggie Lambe 1 1 0 0 2 27 DF Richard Eckersley 2 0 0 0 2 29 FW Eric Hassli 2 0 0 0 2 13 4 DF Doneil Henry 1 0 0 0 1 15 MF Matt Stinson 1 0 0 0 1 18 FW Quincy Amarikwa 1 0 0 0 1 25 DF Jeremy Hall 1 0 0 0 1 48 DF Ireland Darren O'Dea 1 0 0 0 1 TOTALS 34 4 4 5 47 Clean sheets Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted by shirt number when total clean sheets are equal. width=15 width=15 width=15 width=150 Nationality width=150 Name width=80 Major League Soccer width=80 Canadian Championship width=80 2011-12 Champions League width=80 2012-13 Champions League width=80 Total 1 30 GK Serbia Miloš Kocić 3 3 0 0 6 2 24 GK Stefan Frei 0 0 0 0 0 40 GK Quillan Roberts 0 0 0 0 0 41 GK Bermuda Freddy Hall 0 0 0 0 0 TOTALS 2 3 0 0 5 Disciplinary record Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted by shirt number when total cards are equal. Name Major League Soccer Canadian Championship 2011-12 Champions League 2012-13 Champions League Total 1 2 DF Logan Emory 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 27 DF Richard Eckersley 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 1 3 6 MF Julian de Guzman 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 4 22 MF Torsten Frings 5 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 23 MF Terry Dunfield 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 7 0 0 6 5 DF Ashtone Morgan 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 7 4 DF Doneil Henry 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 9 FW Ryan Johnson 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 14 FW Danny Koevermans 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 19 MF Reggie Lambe 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 11 3 DF Miguel Aceval 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 11 MF Luis Silva 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 12 DF Adrian Cann 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 48 DF Darren O'Dea 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 15 20 DF Ty Harden 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 21 DF Aaron Maund 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 24 GK Stefan Frei 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 25 DF Jeremy Hall 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 29 FW Eric Hassli 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 32 FW Andrew Wiedeman 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 TOTALS 41 1 1 8 0 2 7 0 0 3 0 0 60 1 3

Notes and References

1. News: Girard. Daniel. Toronto FC eliminated from playoffs after 2-1 loss to Chicago Fire. September 12, 2012. Toronto Star. September 12, 2012.
2. News: Aron Winter steps down as Toronto FC head coach. November 3, 2012. CBC. June 7, 2012. The Canadian Press.
3. News: Kelly. Cathal. Toronto FC's hands tied by meddling MLS: Kelly. November 3, 2012. Toronto Star. October 28, 2012.
4. News: Wolstat. Ryan. TFC — finally — officially eliminated from playoff contention. September 13, 2012. Toronto Sun. September 12, 2012.
5. News: Hudes. Alan. Toronto FC eliminated from playoff contention with loss to Fire. September 13, 2012. National Post. September 12, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120913195955/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/09/12/toronto-fc-eliminated-from-playoff-contention-with-loss-to-fire/. September 13, 2012. dead.
6. Web site: The Canadian Press . Toronto FC can't overcome early deficit, continue playoff drought . Cbc.ca . September 13, 2012.
7. News: Larson. Curtis. TORONTO FC Frings to miss remainder of MLS season. September 13, 2012. Toronto Sun. September 5, 2012.
8. News: Girard. Daniel. Toronto FC's Facebook ticket promotion riles season-ticket holders. September 28, 2012. Toronto Star. September 28, 2012.
9. News: Girard. Daniel. MLS: Toronto FC winless streak hits dirty dozen with 1-0 loss to D.C. United. October 6, 2012. Toronto Star. October 6, 2012.