TORONTO -- It's early days in the MLS season but Toronto FC is already turning heads with its defence. And it is doing it on the road.
After a 2015 campaign that saw TFC tie with Chicago and New York City with a league-worst 58 goals conceded, Toronto (2-2-2) has given up just five goals and is tied for second in the league in goals-against at 0.83 per game.
Toronto, which has opened with long road trips for two years in a row due to $150 million worth of BMO Field renovations, had conceded 11 goals and was 2-4-0 at the same stage last season.
For head coach Greg Vanney, fixing a sieve-like defence was Job 1 in a season starting with eight straight away games. While its marks for artistic impression may be small, Toronto is proving to be a tough nut to crack.
"We have guys who understand what you need to do on the road in this league. Sometimes it's not pretty. It's more about being effective and grinding and being there for last-ditch tackles," said goalkeeper Clint Irwin, who has been a commanding presence in the penalty box in his first year with the Reds since coming over in a trade from Colorado.
"A lot of times it's more about desire than any pretty soccer and the guys in front is us have shown they really understand that."
Irwin and defenders Drew Moor and Steven Beitashour have added experience and stability in their first season in Toronto. And the rest have bought into Toronto's defence-first approach to start the year.
Captain Michael Bradley and fellow midfielder Will Johnson, another newcomer, have rolled up their sleeves to help do the dirty work on defence. At times in Saturday's 1-0 win at D.C. United, it seemed like Toronto was playing with a back six.
"We have similar opinions on how the game should be played, in terms of work rate and passion," Johnson said of Bradley, whom he played with growing up in the Chicago area. "We're a little different in other aspects but playing next to a guy like who you know is always going to have your back, no matter what, is priceless when you go into some of these tough games."
The Toronto defence will be tested Saturday in Montreal by the Eastern Conference-leading Impact, who unceremoniously bundled Toronto out of the playoffs last season. Led by the dangerous Ignacio Piatti, Montreal (4-2-0) is tied for fifth in scoring in 1.67 goals a game.
"We've defended very well. They're a team that has a lot of different options in attack," Vanney said after practice Thursday. "We're, I think, on the forefront of our attack really coming to life. It's an interesting matchup, to say the least."
With six goals, Toronto's attack has been limited but opportune. Vanney's team ranks 19th in the 20-team league in shots (65), shots on goal (19) and tied for 19th in corners (19).
It has reigning league MVP Sebastian Giovinco to thank for what offence it's had. The Atomic Ant, who has accounted for 31 of Toronto's 65 shots, has had a hand in all of Toronto's scoring with four goals and two assists.
Vanney says he is not concerned about the limited scoring attempts given the initial focus on defence.
"I'm 100 per certain we'll break out of being 19th in these positions," he said. "We can have this discussion again in mid-season and I'm sure we'll be in a different position than we are now."
There are already signs of improvement. Restored to health and playing up front with Giovinco, Jozy Altidore has been a physical presence the last two games.
Vanney says forward Tsubsa Endoh is available this weekend after being sidelined with a thigh contusion. Midfielder Benoit Cheyrou remains out with a quad strain.
