Niklas Dorsch wants to bring a winning mentality to Toronto FC
Niklas Dorsch has joined Toronto FC, viewing Major League Soccer as a competitive challenge rather than a final chapter in his career. Motivated by the chance to impact the team’s direction, Dorsch aims to instil a winning mentality developed at Bayern Munich. He is optimistic about the team’s potential and eager to contribute.
Photo: Mariano Sanchez / VM Sports
Niklas Dorsch did not come to Major League Soccer looking for a comfortable final chapter. At 28, the German midfielder sees Toronto FC as an opportunity to compete, help change the direction of a club and bring some of the mentality that has followed him throughout his career in Germany.
Dorsch was formally introduced by Toronto FC on Wednesday, speaking about his decision to cross the Atlantic, his first impressions of MLS and what he believes he can add to a team looking to turn its season around.
The move had been developing for some time. Dorsch explained that Toronto’s interest emerged after his former club was relegated in Germany and he began considering his next step. While other opportunities remained available in Europe, MLS was something he had already thought about before Toronto entered the picture.
“There were two or three other options in Europe,” Dorsch said. “But for me, a long time ago I started thinking about if there’s a chance of going to MLS, to do it. So here I am now.”
Niklas Dorsch sees MLS as a challenge, not a final stop
For Dorsch, timing was an important part of the decision. He pushed back against the perception that European players should only consider MLS near the end of their careers, making clear that his move to Toronto was driven by competitive ambitions.
“There’s no reason to go to MLS for the last two or three years just to end your career, getting some money and have a good life,” he said. “I’m here to achieve something with the team. That is what I did my whole career. I’m playing to achieve something.”
His early exposure to the league has also challenged some of the impressions he heard while playing in Europe. Dorsch described MLS matches as more open than many games in Germany, with teams more willing to attack rather than spending extended periods defending in a low block.
More importantly, he has been impressed by the level within his new locker room.
“When I compare the individual quality, especially in our team, for me we have crazy quality, we have an amazing team,” Dorsch said. “I’m really impressed.”
Bringing a Bayern mentality to Toronto
Dorsch spent eight years developing within Bayern Munich’s system, an experience he believes continues to influence how he approaches the game.
At Bayern, expectations were straightforward: winning was the standard.
“There’s some mentality you get into you, like there’s just a way to win,” he said. “There’s no way to get a draw or get losses. Everywhere you go, they expected you to be the best team or the best player.”
That mentality is part of what Dorsch believes he can bring to Toronto.
TFC’s recent struggles did not discourage him from joining. In fact, the challenge appears to have made the opportunity more attractive. After observing his new teammates during his first weeks with the club, Dorsch believes the difference between Toronto’s current situation and better results comes down to relatively small adjustments.
“We just need a little bit sticking more together, working all together in the defense,” he said. “And then with the ball, we have amazing players, we have amazing qualities and we can score every game.”
Dorsch added that he has “no doubts” about the group and expressed confidence in both the players and coaching staff.
Already settling into Toronto
His adjustment has also been helped by familiarity with the city.
Dorsch had visited Toronto roughly two months before completing the move, giving him an opportunity to explore the city and meet members of the club before officially arriving. That made the transition easier when he eventually joined the squad.
He has since found another connection to Toronto sports through baseball.
Dorsch has already attended two Blue Jays games and revealed that his interest in the sport began years ago in Germany. While playing for Heidenheim, the local baseball club trained near his football team’s facilities, giving him opportunities to watch games. A visit to the United States during a Bayern Munich training camp further developed that interest.
“Since then I’m following MLB,” he said.
His family will soon join him in Toronto, another important step in making the city feel like home. For Dorsch, though, the focus on the field is already clear.
After years spent fighting difficult battles in Germany, Toronto offers something different: a new league, a new environment, and a team he believes has more talent than its results suggest.
Now, he wants to help turn that quality into wins.
