If you were looking for a worst-case scenario for Toronto FC in 2017, look no further than the Columbus Crew last season. After suffering defeat on home turf in the MLS Cup final in 2015, the Crew crashed to ninth in the Eastern Conference the following year, winning just eight of their 34 games.
During preseason, Toronto general manager Tim Bezbatchenko acknowledged the plight of teams like Columbus as evidence of the parity that exists in MLS, making it difficult for consistent powerhouses to emerge. Getting to an MLS Cup final is one thing; returning the next year is another entirely.