Will Herdman's strategy turn Toronto FC into an MLS contenders?

John Herdman, head coach of Toronto FC, is gearing up for his inaugural full MLS season and shared insights into the club's strategy during Media Day (h/t MLS soccer).

Emphasizing the need to enhance the existing setup and instill a high-performance culture, Herdman highlighted the team's motivation for redemption. He acknowledged the strength derived from a group that has faced adversity together, viewing it as a powerful narrative.

Herdman also stressed recognizing key elements in MLS and building a robust team spine. He emphasized recruiting individuals with a winning mentality, hunger, and resilience.

According to Herdman, having a spine filled with dedicated players, eager to compete for the club and stay injury-free, is pivotal for Toronto FC's success. The coach's approach combines a focus on the team's strengths and a strategic recruitment process to ensure competitiveness in MLS.

"I think that's a big step for Toronto to recruit real hungry warrior-type profiles that want it bad, really bad, not only for the city and the fans but for themselves," Herdman said.