Stop Playing it Safe: Why Jackson Gilman is the Spark Toronto FC Needs
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
Opinion: With a playoff spot on the line and a must-win game against Atlanta, Robin Fraser cannot afford to rely solely on veterans.
Toronto FC is staring down the barrel of another postseason absence, and as Sportsnet first reported, if we are actually serious about ending the drought that has lasted since 2020, it is time to stop playing it safe.
The Reds are currently tied for 10th in the Eastern Conference and sit four points shy of a playoff spot. The math is brutal: Toronto must win both of its remaining road games to have a legitimate shot at the playoffs, starting with a high-stakes clash against Atlanta United FC this Sunday. If they drop this game, they are eliminated.
In these pressure-cooker moments, the instinct for manager Robin Fraser will be to lean on the veterans. It is the safe play. But safe plays don't bridge four-point gaps against talented opponents. To break through, Fraser needs to throw Jackson Gilman into the fire.
Gilman, the 22-year-old rookie and former University of Pittsburgh standout, has already proven he doesn't shrink under pressure. According to Sportsnet, Gilman entered the fray during an injury crisis, making his senior debut in May. While he started his tenure with a loss to Atlético Ottawa in the Canadian Championship, his subsequent MLS debut against Charlotte FC was a revelation. Slotted into the center of the defense alongside veteran Walker Zimmerman, Gilman delivered a man-of-the-match performance that included two clearances, two interceptions, two tackles, and three blocked shots.
Since that night, Gilman has evolved from a draft pick into a Swiss Army knife for the Reds. Sportsnet notes that in 12 MLS appearances, he has played center back, both fullback positions, and central midfield. He has barely put a foot wrong, recording one assist and demonstrating a composure that belies his rookie status.
We saw this poise in action on Oct. 17 against the New York Red Bulls. When right fullback Kobe Franklin was forced out with a shoulder injury just 28 minutes into the match, Fraser turned to Gilman. The rookie stepped into the right side of the back four and helped secure a 2-0 victory—one of only three road wins for the club this season.
Gilman has spoken to Sportsnet about the surreal nature of his rise, noting that he didn't imagine being with the first team so soon after the 2026 MLS SuperDraft. He has also been working closely with assistant coach Steven Beitashour to sharpen his attacking game, drawing comparisons to Beitashour's own defensive-first approach during the 2017 treble season.
Waiting until the 'perfect' moment to start Gilman is a luxury Toronto FC does not have. We are out of time. Whether it is his versatility or his sheer tenacity, Gilman has shown he can handle the heat. If Fraser wants to avoid another year of 'what ifs,' he needs to stop treating the rookie as a contingency plan and start treating him as a solution. Throw him in. Now.