Toronto FC GM Jason Hernandez clears the decks, now has far larger blank canvas

By Canadian Press on October 25, 2025.

TORONTO — Having cleared the decks by declining 2026 contract options on veteran goalkeeper Sean Johnson and seven others, Toronto FC general manager Jason Hernandez has a far larger blank canvas to continue his roster rebuild.

The 36-year-old Johnson is the biggest question-mark. While the 15-year MLS veteran kept TFC in contention for a lot of games this season, he may be too costly to keep given his 2025 salary of $1,063,125 (all figures U.S.).

That places him along the league’s elite ‘keepers, in the same neighbourhood as St. Louis’ Roman Burki ($1.71 million), Orlando’s Pedro Gallese ($1.25 million) and Philadelphia’s Andre Blake ($1.18 million).

At this stage, despite his obvious talent, Johnson may be a financial square peg in a round TFC hole. Given his age, he will likely be looking to maximize his next contract while Hernandez will be looking for reduced terms.

Backup Luka Gavran is younger (25) and cheaper ($128,475). But he has just 16 regular-season games under his belt while Johnson has 418 (plus 16 playoff appearances).

Asked whether Gavran is ready to step up as the starter, Hernandez chooses his words carefully.

“I believe Luka has a lot of positives for us, specifically his growth within our environment in the second team, on having first-team matches this year, cup games and obviously getting recognized by the Canadian men’s national team, so I think Luka’s in position in a really good way to take another step. So we’re just happy with his progress.”

The six-foot-six Gavran was called into camp during the October international window by Canada coach Jesse Marsch after James Pantemis was sidelined by concussion.

Gavran, who started three league and one Canadian Championship game this season, called 2025 “a step in the right direction” but is hungry for more action.

“Not as much playing time as the year before (when he started nine games in place of the injured Johnson) unfortunately but that’s the position of a goalkeeper,” he told the club’s end-of-season availability Tuesday. “For me to stay level-headed and perform as best as I could when I was called upon and stay focused in training and still push my teammates was very important. So that was definitely a learning lesson.

‘The national team call-up is probably the high point of the season, definitely something that will push me going into next season and this off-season, pushing for that World Cup squad.”

Hernandez says talks continued with a “handful of guys” among those whose contracts options were declined. The eight in question are Johnson, defenders Kevin Long, Raoul Petretta and Sigurd Rosted, midfielder Nathaniel Edwards, and forwards Derrick Etienne Jr., Hugo Mbongue and Charlie Sharp.

Terms of a contract option can vary and are agreed upon when the original deal is struck. Some may come with a modest pay hike, while others feature a big enough bump to make a return unlikely.

Despite his age, Johnson will no doubt have other options after a stellar season that saw him rank fifth in the league in saves (just two behind Canadian Dayne St. Clair, a finalist for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year) and ninth in goals-against average (1.32) behind a team that recorded just six wins.

Atlanta could be an attractive landing spot for the Georgia native with veteran ‘keeper Brad Guzan retiring. Atlanta is currently without a manager, however, having fired Ronny Deila one day after the end of a 5-16-3 season.

Hernandez, a New Yorker who played collegiate soccer for New Jersey’s Seton Hall, knows all about allure of playing for your hometown club, joining New York City FC via the 2014 expansion draft after stints with the MetroStars, Chivas USA and San Jose. He finished his playing career in Toronto after two seasons with NYCFC.

Hernandez has been working on the TFC roster for months, stockpiling allocation money which can be used to expand the team’s ability to sign players under the MLS salary budget.

“It’s certainly the best position we’ve been in since I can remember … An exciting opportunity,” said Hernandez.

The hunt continues for a second designated player, a marquee forward who can serve as a target man for DP playmaker Djordje Mihailovic.

Petretta ($854,750), Rosted ($805,000) and Etienne ($745,566) were all big-ticket items. The 35-year-old Long ($468,521) was influential when healthy, but missed 10 games this season.

Sharp ($80,622) and Mbongue ($146,427) were sent out on loan to the USL Championship’s Tampa Bay Rowdies and the CPL’s Vancouver FC this season. Edwards ($86,604) mainly saw action with the reserve side.

While Toronto will likely be looking for help everywhere, it knows some of the reinforcements already.

Toronto will be boosted next season by the return of 2025 long-term casualties Nicksoen Gomis (whose 2025 salary was $80,622), Zane Monlouis ($127,891 this season), and Henry Wingo ($696,031). And it will be hoping for an injury-free season from influential Canadian star fullback/wingback Richie Laryea ($1.17 million).

Toronto, which finished out of the playoffs for the fifth straight year at 6-14-14, has 21 players signed for the 2026 campaign.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 25, 2025.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press