Toronto FC Season Preview

When was the last year that Toronto FC had a double-digit goal scorer in an MLS regular season?

Rewind to 2019, when Alejandro Pozuelo netted 12 regular season goals and Jozy Altidore was close behind him with 11. While there have been a few players that came close, it means that TFC has lacked a consistent goal-scorer since pre-COVID. Consequently, 2019 was the year that Toronto made a somewhat improbable run to the MLS Cup final that season.

Toronto FC supporters have been waiting years for their marquee striker to be signed. Thanks to the Insigne-Bernardeschi debacle, the club had to put that ambition on hold. With the 2025 season behind them, the fans are still waiting for their big-name signing to come to fruition. With rumours of Josh Sargent coming to Toronto being put on hold, what are TFC's options at the top of the pitch?

Heading into the 2026 MLS season, Toronto FC’s forward line is arguably the biggest question mark on the roster. Following a disappointing string of singings and loan spells, the attack is undergoing a youth-focused transformation. While the front office is still reportedly hunting for a marquee No. 9, the current group leans heavily on internal development and fresh international recruitment.

Deandre Kerr - Believe it or not, Kerr is entering his fifth season with the senior club. The 23-year-old enters the 2026 season with 95 appearances and scoring 15 goals in MLS play in After netting four goals in just under 900 minutes last season, the 2026 campaign is his opportunity to prove he can be a consistent starter rather than just a rotational piece. Kerr, or "DK" as Robin Fraser refers to him, has a stretch of games to demonstrate his goal-scoring prowess. Hopefully he's able to seize this opportunity.

RELATED: Toronto FC Season Preview - Midfielders

Emilio Aristizábal - The most recent addition to the squad, the 20-year-old Colombian arrives on loan from Atlético Nacional with high expectations. Coming off a 12-goal season in Brazil, Aristizábal is a young, exciting signing for 2026 - he brings the predatory box movement and high-pressing energy that Robin Fraser’s system has lacked, occupying a vital U22 Initiative slot. While he might not start right away, look for the youngster to log regular minutes as a sub.

Theo Corbeanu - The Canadian international provides the creative flair and 1-v-1 dribbling ability that vanished with the veteran departures. After Bernardeschi's departure last summer, Corbeanu logged regular minutes and led the team in scoring with six goals. Capable of playing as a true winger or a secondary forward, Corbeanu’s ability to deliver quality service into the box will be the primary lifeline for the strikers. Now that his loan deal has been made permanent, perhaps Theo will be able to settle with TFC and be a regular contributor on the wing.

Jules-Anthony Vilsaint - A physical powerhouse with immense raw potential, Vilsaint enters 2026 looking to turn occasional flashes of brilliance into consistent production. His speed and ability to stretch defenses make him a dangerous weapon, though he must improve his final-third decision-making to secure a permanent spot in the starting eleven. Look for Vilsaint to be a super-sub in the final 30 minutes of the match.

Malik Henry - Having made the jump from TFC II, Henry is the wildcard of the group. A natural playmaker who can drift into forward positions, his technical skill and fearlessness on the ball offer a spark of unpredictability that could be crucial during the dog days of the summer schedule. His pace can add a legitimate threat coming off of the bench.

The 2026 strike force stands as a fragile monument to "potential" in a league that increasingly rewards proven, ruthless production. While the injection of youthful energy from the likes of Aristizábal and the raw athleticism of Vilsaint offer a refreshing break from the stagnant, overpriced veteran era of years past, TFC’s front line currently lacks a proven killer instinct at the MLS level. There is a flickering hope that these young pieces will coalesce into a dynamic, modern attack—and they certainly possess the pace to punish a tired defense—but until they can produce a consistent goal-per-game average, they remain a high-stakes gamble. If this group can’t find their clinical edge quickly, Toronto risks another season of dominating possession only to be undone by a toothless finishing rate that has become a frustrating hallmark of the club's recent history.