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VOTE: Waking the Red Toronto FC Awards 2022

Our fifth annual blizzard of only the hottest takes.

By Waking the Red staff
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Graphics: JPN

Just like the club we love, we’re getting things done early this year!

Blah, blah “patience”! Yada yada “Play the kids”. That’s so TFC 2022.

Let’s put a bow on an underwhelming campaign, and here’s to tearing the league a new one in 2023!

The Danny Dichio Seat Cushion Award — Best Goal Scored

Derek Gagnon (DG) - It’s Criscito. Obviously.

Anthony Khoury (AK) - Criscito v. New England is the only answer here.

Tomas Karageorgos (TK) - Mimmo’s insane volley against New England.

Corey Brady (CB) - Criscito’s left foot volley. If you don’t think it’s amazing, go to your local pitch and just try it. You’ll pull your hamstring like I did.

Mike Newell (MN) - Criscito

Christopher Fung (CF) - Criscito’s over the top volley. The technique was sublime.

Jeffrey P. Nesker (JPN) - Yeah, it’s that Criscito Stunner. By a mile

Andrew Hockridge (AH) - Criscito’s rocket = goal of the year

Adam Palermo (AP) - Criscito’s volley. Haș to be.

Poll

The Danny Dichio Seat Cushion Award — Best Goal Scored

This poll is closed

  • 100%
    Domenico Criscito v. New England (08/17/2022)
    (74 votes)
74 votes total Vote Now

The Paul Mariner “Best Finish of the Modern Era” Award — Worst Goal Conceded

DG - Conceding to Riqui Puig and the Galaxy in the 89th of the August 31st game. Final nail in the coffin of the playoff hopes.

JPN - When LAG’s newer/other “Former Barcelona Man” mercifully ended our stretch run/ playoff hopes.

AK - Purata’s third in the 4-2 defeat still stings.

TK - Jack Skahan’s Tobias Time goal to salvage a draw for San Jose.

AP - I’m with Tomas. I was in the stands for Skahan’s late equalizer ... not fun.

CB - Inter Miami’s Jean Mota - when Bono’s “hands turned to squids”.

MN - Squid Hands goal v Miami. Killed the playoff run.

AH - Bono’s fumble against Inter Miami’s Jean Mota’s long range shot.

CF - There’s too many to choose from. The third CF Montreal goal by Kamara that broke Mavinga. He inexplicably let Kamara pick his pocket and effectively ended TFC’s slim playoff hopes.

Poll

The Paul Mariner "Best Finish of the Modern Era" Award — Worst Goal Conceded

This poll is closed

  • 20%
    Riqui Puig v. LA Galaxy (08/31/2022)
    (18 votes)
  • 3%
    Juan Purata at Atlanta United (09/10/2022)
    (3 votes)
  • 5%
    Jack Skahan v San Jose Earthquakes (07/09/2022)
    (5 votes)
  • 59%
    Jean Mota at Inter Miami (08/20/2022)
    (52 votes)
  • 10%
    Kei Kamara v. CF Montreal (09/04/2022)
    (9 votes)
87 votes total Vote Now

The Victor Vazquez Flamenco Dancer Award — Best Play

TK - The entire play that led up to Michael Bradley’s second goal against Charlotte.

JPN - Michael Bradley playing number 9 V Charlotte. The man is still good for a absolutely jaw dropping surprise every season.

CF - The first goal against CF Montreal by Ayo in the Canadian Championship. The build up Bradley to Nelson to Jimenez to Petrasso to Ayo was so fluid.

AH - Osorio vs Portland which featured a classic Richie Laryea run inside the box.

AP - Osorio’s winner against DC United. Such a satisfying buildup. The type of play we didn’t see enough of this season.

MN - Oso’s goal in Nashville. The Richie/Oso connection on full display OR Jayden Nelson’s 40-yard strike against RSL

Poll

The Victor Vazquez Flamenco Dancer Award — Best Play

This poll is closed

  • 73%
    Michael Bradley v. Charlotte FC (07/23/2022)
    (54 votes)
  • 1%
    Ayo Akinola v. CF Montreal (Can Champ) (06/22.2022)
    (1 vote)
  • 5%
    Jonathan Osorio v. Portland (08/13/2022)
    (4 votes)
  • 5%
    Jonathan Osorio v. D.C. United (03/19/2022)
    (4 votes)
  • 9%
    Jonathan Osorio at Nashville SC (08/06/2022)
    (7 votes)
  • 4%
    Jayden Nelson at Real Salt Lake (04/09/2022)
    (3 votes)
73 votes total Vote Now

The “Get Defoe Outta Here” Award — Worst Play

DG - Bernardeschi made me download an app to a game I had no intention of ever playing to see his announcement of signing with TFC.

CF - Bono. Oh I guess I should elaborate - when Inter Miami’s Jean Mota shot the ball at Bono and it went in through his hands.

TK - Bono’s blunder against Miami.

AH - Bono’s fumble against Inter Miami.

AP - Bono against Inter Miami. Hate to see it.

AL - Bono. Miami.

JPN - Pick your goalkeeper gaffe from this collection of hundreds, or don’t. Maybe don’t?

MN - Mavinga getting torched by Jhon Duran twice in Chicago.

Poll

The "Get Defoe Outta Here" Award — Worst Play

This poll is closed

  • 91%
    Alex Bono at Inter Miami (08/20/2022)
    (76 votes)
  • 8%
    Chris Mavinga x2 at Chicago Fire (07/13/2022)
    (7 votes)
83 votes total Vote Now

The #SebaThings Award — Best Sebastian Giovinco Thing

JPN - Signing for Sampdoria instead of us. Just kidding.

TK - Seba offering his services to Toronto FC, yet again. Sign the man!

AK - That Instagram story.

MN - Talking to the press. Helped me reaffirm my position that he shouldn’t be re-signed by TFC.

The D-Ro’s John Hancock Award — Best Goal Celebration

CF - Insigne’s first goal at home against Portland when he ran across the pitch.

TK - When Bernardeschi took a bow after scoring TFC’s insurance goal in Charlotte.

JPN - Fede pulling a Josmer and bowing to the crowd. I just love him.

AP - Was also a big fan of the bow from Bernardeschi. Pure class.

AH - Ralph Priso’s slide into the corner against Atlanta United with his teammates joining him.

MN - Kosi Thompson’s goal celebration; so pure.

Poll

The D-Ro’s John Hancock Award — Best Goal Celebration

This poll is closed

  • 14%
    Insigne v. Portland (08/13/2022)
    (11 votes)
  • 62%
    Bernardeschi v. Charlotte FC (07/23/2022)
    (48 votes)
  • 18%
    Priso v. Atlanta United (06/25/2022)
    (14 votes)
  • 5%
    Kosi Thompson at Real Salt Lake (04/09/2022)
    (4 votes)
77 votes total Vote Now

The Steven Caldwell “Quality” Award — Favourite Player

JPN - Andrea Belotti ... Come On! It’s Federico Bernardeschi by a mile!

AK - Federico Bernardeschi, what a guy.

DG - Terrence Boyd. LOLJK. I’m going with Criscito for his composure and calm.

CB - Andiamo Fede! Bernardeschi. No contest.

CF - What is shordie? If your answer isn’t Bernardeschi, I have questions.

TK - It’s Bernardeschi by 1000 miles.

AH - Bernardeschi - how can you not love this guy?

AP - “C’mon TFC!”

MN - Just to be different I’ll go Oso. Was our best player throughout the season.

Poll

The Steven Caldwell "Quality" Award — Favourite Player

This poll is closed

  • 82%
    Federico Bernardeschi
    (72 votes)
  • 1%
    Domenico Criscito
    (1 vote)
  • 16%
    Jonathan Osorio
    (14 votes)
87 votes total Vote Now

The Danny Koeverman’s Award — Favourite Opposing Player

DG - Kamal Miller/Alistair Johnston.

AK - Xherdan Shaqiri.

TK - Taxiarchis Fountas.

AS - Alejandro Pozuelo

JPN - Tesho Akindele and maybe Pozuelo

CF - Riqui Puig

AH - Luciano Acosta

AP - Ryan Gauld

MN - Thiago Almada

Poll

The Danny Koeverman’s Award — Favourite Opposing Player

This poll is closed

  • 32%
    Kamal Miller/Alistair Johnston
    (25 votes)
  • 7%
    Xherdan Shaqiri
    (6 votes)
  • 2%
    Taxiarchis Fountas
    (2 votes)
  • 38%
    Alejandro Pozuelo
    (30 votes)
  • 1%
    Tesho Akindele
    (1 vote)
  • 10%
    Riqui Puig
    (8 votes)
  • 0%
    Luciano Acosta
    (0 votes)
  • 6%
    Ryan Gauld
    (5 votes)
  • 1%
    Thiago Almada
    (1 vote)
78 votes total Vote Now

The Stefan Frei Award — Favourite Opposing GK

JPN - Our own GK’s, two season’s running.

DG - Dayne St. Clair

AS - Dayne St Clair

CF - Dayne St. Clair

AK - Cody Cropper.

TK - Djordje Petrović

AP - Djordje Petrović

CB - Bill Hamid, Future TFC keeper

AH - Sean Johnson

MN - Triston Henry

Poll

The Stefan Frei Award — Favourite Opposing GK

This poll is closed

  • 32%
    Our own GK’s
    (26 votes)
  • 36%
    Dayne St. Clair
    (29 votes)
  • 1%
    Cody Cropper
    (1 vote)
  • 17%
    Djordje Petrović
    (14 votes)
  • 1%
    Bill Hamid
    (1 vote)
  • 10%
    Sean Johnson
    (8 votes)
  • 0%
    Triston Henry
    (0 votes)
79 votes total Vote Now

The Maxi Urruti Award — Most Underrated TFC Player

JPN - JAK, coveted by Europe, relegated to bench duty.

DG - MB4 rose from the ashes to put up one of his best seasons with TFC, with 3 goals and 5 assists.

AK - Luca Petrasso.

CF - Luca Petrasso

TK - Does Jacob Shaffelburg count?

AS - Shaffelburg

AH - Deandre Kerr

AP - Deandre Kerr

MN - Shane O’Neil

Poll

The Maxi Urruti Award — Most Underrated TFC Player

This poll is closed

  • 9%
    JAK
    (8 votes)
  • 24%
    MB4
    (20 votes)
  • 16%
    Luca Petrasso
    (13 votes)
  • 27%
    Jacob Shaffelburg
    (22 votes)
  • 11%
    Deandre Kerr
    (9 votes)
  • 11%
    Shane O’Neil
    (9 votes)
81 votes total Vote Now

The “All For Me” Award — Most Overrated TFC Player

DG - This may be sacrilegious, but it’s Jesus Jiménez. Two world-class wingers arrive and he stops scoring.

AH - What happened to the Jesús Jiménez we signed at the beginning of the season?

AS - Michael Bradley. He’s not a 90 minute every game player any more.

CF - Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty. I’m not convinced he’s ready for MLS yet, let alone Europe.

TK - Jayden Nelson. Has shown some glimpses, but overall very frustrating to watch.

JPN - Lol, how quick we forget the strange adventures of Carlos Salcedo as our CB DP. Preperidge Farm remembers.

AP - Ayo Akinola

MN - Quentin Westberg

Poll

The "All For Me" Award — Most Overrated TFC Player

This poll is closed

  • 9%
    Jesus Jiménez
    (8 votes)
  • 12%
    Michael Bradley
    (11 votes)
  • 10%
    Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty
    (9 votes)
  • 17%
    Jayden Nelson
    (15 votes)
  • 28%
    Carlos Salcedo
    (24 votes)
  • 20%
    Ayo Akinola
    (17 votes)
  • 1%
    Quentin Westberg
    (1 vote)
85 votes total Vote Now

The Torsten Frings Award — Best Player Playing in an Unnatural Position

DG - Alex Bono

CF - Kosi Thompson

MN - Any of the kids, but I’ll go Kosi here.

AP - Kosi Thompson

AK - Jayden Nelson

JPN - Jayden Nelson

TK - Deandre Kerr

AH - Jacob Shaffelburg

Poll

The Torsten Frings Award — Best Player Playing in an Unnatural Position

This poll is closed

  • 12%
    Alex Bono
    (10 votes)
  • 25%
    Kosi Thompson
    (21 votes)
  • 17%
    Any of the kids
    (14 votes)
  • 29%
    Jayden Nelson
    (24 votes)
  • 9%
    Deandre Kerr
    (8 votes)
  • 4%
    Jacob Shaffelburg
    (4 votes)
81 votes total Vote Now

The “Hey Mista Mista” Award — Newcomer of the Year

JPN - It’s Bernardeschi. That’s it, that’s the tweet.

AK - Fede!

DG - Do you really need to ask?

AS - Bernardeschi. What a surprising revelation.

CF - Bernardeschi, the man who captured our hearts.

AH - Bernardeschi has been a joy to watch.

AP - Definitely Fede.

MN - Won’t be contrarian here. Mr. “C’mon TFC”.

TK - Criscito, purely based on consistency.

Poll

The "Hey Mista Mista" Award — Newcomer of the Year

This poll is closed

  • 86%
    Bernardeschi
    (74 votes)
  • 13%
    Criscito
    (12 votes)
86 votes total Vote Now

The Downsview to Downtown Award — Best Canadian Player

JPN - Oso.

DG - Oso.

AK - Oso.

TK - Oso.

AS - Osorio

CF - Oso.

AH - Oso.

AP - Oso.

MN - Oso for the sweep.

Poll

The Downsview to Downtown Award — Best Canadian Player

This poll is closed

  • 100%
    Jonathan Osorio
    (73 votes)
73 votes total Vote Now

The Trillium Cup Award — Best Rivalry

JPN - Game plans vs. Game action

DG - Alex Bono vs the standings

CF - Bob Bradley vs. the squad he inherited

TK - TFC vs. conceding on set pieces

AH - TFC vs. conceding very early in games

AP - TFC vs. conceding right before halftime

MN - TFC vs. Transition Defending

The “Meadowlands Massacre” Award — Worst Game

DG - Home opener 4-1 loss to the Red Bulls of New York.

CF - The 4-0 drubbing by Orlando City.

JPN - Hard to pick only one, TBH. That one where we lost, bad?

AH - 4-0 loss to Orlando AND ending our playoff hopes.

TK - The 2-2 draw against Los Angeles Galaxy was tough, considering how late TFC conceded to drop two important points amidst a battle for playoff spots.

AP - 4-3 loss to Montreal at home. That defeat didn’t mathematically eliminate TFC from playoff contention, but it might as well have. Not what you want to see against your rivals.

MN - 2-0 loss to Chicago in July. Bottom team in the East handled us easily. We were never in it.

Poll

The "Meadowlands Massacre" Award — Worst Game

This poll is closed

  • 6%
    4-1 loss to NYRB (03/05/2022)
    (5 votes)
  • 39%
    4-0 drubbing by Orlando City (09/17/2022)
    (30 votes)
  • 7%
    2-2 Draw v. LA Galaxy (08/31/2022)
    (6 votes)
  • 39%
    4-3 loss v CF Montreal (09/04/2022)
    (30 votes)
  • 6%
    2-0 at Chicago (07/13.2022)
    (5 votes)
76 votes total Vote Now

The “Miracle in Montreal” Award — Best Game

JPN - Charlotte FC at home. That was some fun.

AK - 4-0 v. Charlotte or 4-0 CanChamp semi-final v. Montreal

DG - The Best Half in Club History game.

AP - Toronto FC 4-0 Charlotte FC

CF - Either the Charlotte FC home game or the CF Montreal Canadian Championship semis.

AH - The 4-0 win in the Canadian Championship vs CF Montreal.

TK - The win against Philadelphia to hand the Union their first loss of the season.

MN - 4-3 win in Nashville. Had to find a way to gut out a win on the road. Need to bottle that for next season.

Poll

The "Miracle in Montreal" Award — Best Game

This poll is closed

  • 73%
    4-0 v. Charlotte (07/23/2022)
    (57 votes)
  • 15%
    4-0 CF Montreal (Can Champ Semis) (06/22/2022)
    (12 votes)
  • 6%
    2-1 v. Philadelphia Union (04/16/2022)
    (5 votes)
  • 5%
    4-3 at Nashville (08/06/2022)
    (4 votes)
78 votes total Vote Now

The Tom Anselmi Award — Best Front Office Achievement

DG - Bernardeschi

AK - The three Italians.

CF - Convincing Insigne, Criscito and Bernardeschi to sign for TFC.

JPN - Staying the course on a tough season that was always going to be a tough season. ‘Playing The Kids’ on this crop of prospects so we FINALLY have answers on who can hack it at this level. Pulling the trigger on Pozuelo before it became another long drama.

AH - Bringing Richie Laryea back on loan.

AP - Signing the three Italians.

TK - I agree with Christopher and Adam.

MN - Getting Soteldo off the books.

The “All For One More Dollar” Award — Worst Front Office Achievement

DG - Starting the season without any natural wing backs.

AK - Not replacing several outgoing players.

AS - Agreed, no wingbacks had such a negative cascading effect throughout the line up.

CF - Playing most of our academy players out of position and expecting better results.

JPN - Maybe going a little overboard on the whole “cleaning house” thing. There were tumbleweeds in the locker room at the start of the campaign.

AH - No wing backs at the beginning of the season and playing the kids out of position.

AP - Not having a third DP to play alongside Bernardeschi and Insigne.

TK - Signing a Designated Player centre back...

MN - Starting JMR at RWB and not as a winger early in the season - when you have Kadin Chung. Not saying Kadin would have been an all star, but he would have been alright.

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