Toronto FC’s designated player Djordje Mihailovic enters the 2026 MLS season with renewed confidence following an extensive pre-season training camp in Spain, despite the team’s disappointing 12th-place finish in the Eastern Conference last year. Mihailovic’s positive outlook is rooted in the squad’s progress during their January and February preparations, as well as new roster additions aimed at improving both defense and attack.
Signs of Improvement Amid Past Struggles
Toronto FC has endured a challenging stretch, missing the playoffs for five consecutive years with its last postseason appearance in 2020. The Reds’ 2025 campaign concluded on a somewhat hopeful note, as the team recorded a club record eight consecutive draws and lost just one of its final 10 games. This late-season resilience, coupled with a strengthened squad, has raised expectations for 2026.
During their nearly month-long pre-season in Marbella, Spain, players had the opportunity to develop chemistry, especially newcomers like defender Walker Zimmerman. General Manager Jason Hernandez’s strategic roster moves have also provided valuable depth, which has boosted Mihailovic’s optimism about the team’s prospects.
I think we had a really good pre-season. I think we are miles better as a collective compared to the end of last season, and we ended on a good note last season. So, I think as a team, we’ve improved so much,
Mihailovic said.
It’s a very good energy around the locker room at this point and right now the only thought is, how can we start the season well? I saw something on Twitter that we haven’t won a season opener in a while, so I think it’s time.
Notably, Toronto FC has not won its opening MLS match since 2019, when they defeated the Philadelphia Union 3-1 on the road. The Reds also have not secured a trophy since the 2021 Canadian Championship, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Returning to the playoffs and adding new silverware remain top priorities.
Balancing Defense and Offensive Growth
Toronto FC displayed defensive resilience last season, conceding only 44 goals—a strong record in MLS—but struggled offensively, scoring just 37 goals, ranking near the bottom of the league. The club hopes to rectify this imbalance with the signings of forwards Dániel Sallói and Emilio Aristizábal, along with the recent acquisition of Josh Sargent, expected to arrive soon.
Mihailovic emphasizes that despite the desire to improve goal production, the team will maintain its defensive discipline.
When you control games, that doesn’t mean you have to have 60 or 70 per cent possession. You can control games without the ball, defending well, and at the end of the day, the better you defend, the better chance you have of winning trophies. And we take a lot of pride in defending,
he stated.
I do as well. Even though I’m an attacker, I take a lot of pride in defence, and I try to improve myself in that part of the game. But we have a good understanding as a team, our roles on the defensive side and now it’s about how we can get better in the attack and that’s the fun part. That’s the part I enjoy, is assisting and scoring goals and showing that side. And I think we’re getting better every day.
Personal Challenges Shape Mihailovic’s Resolve
The off-season has been an emotional roller coaster for Mihailovic. Shortly after his wedding in Florida with longtime partner Ajla, where family and their 19-month-old son Aleksi were present, Mihailovic faced the devastating loss of his mother, Zivka, who passed away at age 54 on January 6. The rapid succession of life-changing events has been taxing, but Mihailovic found solace in training camp and the support of his teammates in Spain.
It’s a roller coaster of emotion. … It’s been hard but the best thing that could have happened to me was going to go away pre-season with the team and take my mind away from being focused on playing. And I was happy doing that,
Mihailovic said.
Looking Ahead to the Season Opener and Beyond
Toronto FC’s 2026 campaign began on the road at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, facing FC Dallas in their season opener. While the team showed promise in pre-season, the challenge remains to translate that progress into consistent results, reversing the trend of opening day disappointments. Mihailovic and his teammates aim not only to secure a place in the playoffs but to compete for every trophy available this season.
The club’s combination of improved team cohesion, strategic roster additions, and Mihailovic’s leadership both on and off the field create a foundation for optimism. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Toronto FC attempts to end its playoff drought and reestablish itself as a serious contender in MLS.
