BRADENTON, FLA.

Head coach Greg Vanney told the Toronto Sun prior to Wednesday night’s match that he more or less knows the lineup he’ll toss out for the season opener in Vancouver. Here’s what TFC could look like to start 2015.

GOALKEEPER: Joe Bendik

A no-brainer heading into his third season with the Reds.

Bendik is exceedingly underrated in Major League Soccer, which he demonstrated — yet again — with a big-time performance in a recent preseason match against HB Koge.

But unless you’re former Chivas USA ’keeper Dan Kennedy, accolades for goalkeepers only arrive amid winning streaks — something TFC hasn’t had in, well, forever.

Yeah, his distribution could improve — he’s not Salt Lake’s Nick Rimando — but when it comes down to making stops, the 25-year-old has proven he’s one of the best in the league.

IN RESERVE: Chris Konopka.

LEFT FULLBACK: Justin Morrow

Another no-brainer, Morrow has had an excellent pre-season, picking up where he left off in 2013.

Over the past three seasons, the 27-year-old has become a household name in MLS, being mentioned among the league’s elite left-sided defenders.

He was an all-star in 2012. He was called up to the U.S. national team in 2013.

Toronto FC’s front office would be smart to lock this player up long-term, especially if the players get free agency rights in the next CBA.

IN RESERVE: Ashtone Morgan.

CENTRE BACK: Damien Perquis

The French-born, Polish international could be the reason the Reds finally break into the playoffs in 2015.

He has looked steady in pre-season and in just over six weeks has become an on-field leader who will undoubtedly provide another steady presence at the back.

Perquis could also free up partner Steven Caldwell to play with more freedom after the Scotsman spent most of the past two seasons teaching mistake-prone Doneil Henry.

What’s unclear is how Perquis, who has spent his entire career in Europe, will fare while frequently traveling cross-continent.

IN RESERVE: Nick Hagglund.

CENTRE BACK: Steven Caldwell

Caldwell says he doesn’t feel his age. He has looked very solid in pre-season, too.

What remains to be seen is how he’ll hold up over 34 games this season.

He hasn’t shown any signs of deterioration this month, putting in a dominating performance last weekend in a pre-season win over HB Koge.

One thing is clear: Opposing clubs aren’t going to win many arial battles against TFC’s twin towers.

IN RESERVE: Eric Zavaleta.

RIGHT FULLBACK: Warren Creavalle

The biggest question mark on Toronto FC’s roster at the moment.

It appeared to be Mark Bloom’s position to lose coming out of 2014, but head coach Greg Vanney might favour Creavalle come opening day in Vancouver.

Creavalle admitted to the Toronto Sun this week that he’s still learning the position, and that playing with two veterans next to him has helped immensely.

Opposing teams could pinpoint the right side of TFC’s lineup as a weakness through the first few weeks of the season.

IN RESERVE: Mark Bloom.

RIGHT MIDFIELD: Robbie Findley

The converted forward could begin the season on the right side of midfield, a spot where Toronto FC isn’t exactly flush with options.

Head coach Greg Vanney was honest in his assessment of Findley this week, saying while he’s good in tight spaces, he needs to be able to find the next pass.

As a striker throughout his career, Findley has always been the player to receive the final pass.

The 29-year-old former U.S. international will be a threat to get in behind opposing defences.

IN RESERVE: Jackson.

CENTRE MIDFIELD: Michael Bradley

Toronto FC’s new captain will control the tempo as somewhat of a roamer in the middle third.

He’s best when arriving late, picking up possession deep and distributing all over the pitch.

Bradley has demonstrated time and again that he’s capable of producing the final pass while also recovering and organizing things defensively.

There’s not much more that needs to be said about the two-time World Cup veteran.

IN RESERVE: Collen Warner.

CENTRE MIDFIELD: Benoit Cheyrou

The Frenchman was brought in to explicitly provide midfield balance for Bradley.

Similar to the American, he plays at both ends of the pitch and is excellent at switching fields.

If things go well for Toronto FC in 2015, Cheyrou could be a candidate for Major League Soccer’s Newcomer of the Year.

IN RESERVE: Jay Chapman .

LEFT MIDFIELD: Jonathan Osorio

It’s unclear what Osorio’s best position is.

Nonetheless, he remains one of Toronto FC’s best 11 players.

The Canadian’s ability to tuck in from the left provides Justin Morrow ample space to overlap. It also gives guys like Michael Bradley a third option to play to in the channel if Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore aren’t available.

Osorio is always a danger when he picks up possession in and around the area. He always seems to find the ball in good places.

IN RESERVE: Daniel Lovitz.

FORWARD: Sebastian Giovinco

A player pundits league-wide will be ready to take to task if he doesn’t produce immediately.

The Italian international arrives carrying massive expectations after signing a massive deal worth approximately $35 million.

We’ll see how he reacts to one of the biggest hacks in the league — Pa Modou Kah — kicking him in Vancouver in two weeks.

IN RESERVE: Luke Moore

FORWARD: Jozy Altidore

Similar to Giovinco, the U.S. international will have all eyes on him as he looks to put his Premier League goal drought behind him.

Fans south of the border criticized him for passing on European offers.

Some fans in Toronto criticized TFC for “overpaying” for the 25-year-old.

If he scores 20 this season, it should shut everyone up.

IN RESERVE: Bright Dike

TORONTO FC REVEALS CHEEKY NEW AD

BRADENTON, Fla. — It starts with a few decrepit “Blood Big Deal” posters — a parting shot at Jermain Defoe — falling off a downtown Toronto building.

After that, Michael Bradley shakes his head at the TV when a TFC commercial from 2014 comes on the screen.

Toronto FC released a 30-second spot prior to Wednesday night’s pre-season game that’s meant to tell fans they’re moving on from last year’s debacle.

The Reds appear to be going back with the slogan they entered the league with in 2007: “All For One”.

“United, with unwavering devotion, all sharing the same dream,” a voice in the commercial says amid a plethora of TFC highlights.

The commercial also served as confirmation the Bank of Montreal as signed on for an additional season to serve as TFC’s jersey sponsor.

Toronto’s new home kit — donned by Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore in the video — will be all red, with black Adidas stripes down the sleeve.

MLS MOVING INTO EUROPE

BRADENTON, Fla. — Major League Soccer is heading to the United Kingdom.

The league announced Wednesday a four-year deal with British broadcaster Sky Sports that will see UK viewers offered two MLS games per week.

In addition, every MLS playoff game and MLS Cup will be broadcast live across Sky Sports’ family of networks.

It’s unclear how much the new deal is worth. The league just recently agreed to a new eight-year, $600-million TV deal with FOX and ESPN.

“Football in the U.S. and Canada has enormous potential for growth,” said Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis. “Thierry Henry has joined us (as an on-air pundit).

“He created fantastic memories in MLS and we look forward to seeing more of those great stories from across the Atlantic.”

TFC FALL TO RED BULLS IN PRE-SEASON

BRADENTON, Fla. — Playing with a reserve lineup, Toronto FC fell 2-0 to the New York Red Bulls in the club’s penultimate pre-season fixture at the IMG Academy.

Goals on both sides of halftime from New York’s Bradley Wright-Phillips and Sal Zizzo were enough to see off a second-choice TFC lineup.

Head coach Greg Vanney stated before Wednesday night’s match his intentions to rest his starting group in order to prepare for Saturday’s pre-season finale.

Wright-Phillips opened the scoring minutes

Two minutes after TFC’s Bright Dike put a header off the post in the 20th minute, Wright-Phillips laced a half-volley that skipped through traffic and into the side-netting, despite Chris Konopka getting a hand to it.

Blustery conditions and immense fog made things difficult on both clubs, leading to limited chances on goal in what was an ugly display.

Zizzo put the game out of reach minutes after the break when he was at the back post to bang home a rebound after TFC ’keeper Alex Bono made an initial stop.

There were bright moments for the Reds’ reserves despite being down 2-0 after the Red Bulls started a first-choice lineup.

Second-year winger Daniel Lovitz was a standout for Toronto FC, providing quality service on the left side that led to multiple scoring chances late in the game.

With the loss, Toronto FC next meets the Costa Rican under-23 national team in its final pre-season match at the IMG pre-season tournament.

The club will return to Toronto on Sunday and is scheduled to depart four days later for Vancouver ahead of next weekend’s season opener.

PLAYERS ON THE RISE

Larson looks at which three reserves made a case for an opening day roster spot.

1) Jay Chapman

Toronto FC’s homegrown midfielder was active throughout the first half Wednesday night, connecting through midfield and switching the point of attack. When he wasn’t in possession, Chapman hunted the ball with the kind of energy that showed he’s willing to play both ways. Although he might not make too many starts in 2015, Chapman could be a fixture on head coach Greg Vanney’s bench. The first-year pro is certainly one to watch for the future.

2) Collen Warner

The veteran midfielder — likely Michael Bradley’s understudy — completed a few tidy passes in midfield under difficult conditions, surrounded by inexperienced players. Head coach Greg Vanney will undoubtedly want a players with Warner’s experience to be an option if Bradley or Benoit Cheyrou need to be replaced.

3) Daniel Lovitz

Lovitz likely isn’t going to beat out Jonathan Osorio on the left side of midfield, so head coach Greg Vanney started the second-year player on the right. Although he wasn’t on the ball often in the second half, Lovitz showed he’s one of the few players the Reds have who can provide dangerous service from wide positions. Lovitz could be the Vanney’s first option should one of this wide midfielders need to be replaced.