Scoring goals wasn’t a problem for Toronto FC this past season. Preventing them was another matter entirely.
TFC conceded a whopping 58 goals in 34 games during the Major League Soccer regular season, tied for the worst goals-against record in the 20-team league. Toronto’s defensive woes were further exposed in the first round of the playoffs when it lost 3-0 away to the Montreal Impact.
Injuries, suspensions and international call-ups meant the Reds’ back line was unsettled for most of the campaign. It also didn’t help that a number of its starting defenders went through rough patches of form.
Soccer Central podcast: SPORTSNET.CA’s Soccer Central podcast, hosted by John Molinaro and James Sharman, takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues. To listen and subscribe to the podcast, CLICK HERE.
Justin Morrow, however, was one of the exceptions, cementing his status as TFC’s top defender and his place among the best left fullbacks in MLS with a solid 2015 campaign.
With that in mind, Toronto wisely signed the veteran defender to a new multi-year contract. TFC made a formal announcement on Monday, but did not release details of the deal.
“Justin has been an important player for Toronto FC over the past two seasons, and he is part of our core group we feel we can build our defence around,” TFC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in a news release.
Morrow, 28, was a year away from qualifying for free agency, so the fact TFC locked up its most reliable defender and one of its most consistent players was a major coup.
Re-signing Morrow also makes sense in light of comments made by new club president Bill Manning, who said the major off-season priority for TFC is to address the defence. Manning also set a target for his team of conceding fewer than 45 goals in 2016.
Morrow has made 69 appearances, scoring two goals and tallying five assists in all competitions since joining TFC in 2014.
He showed his versatility this past season when he played a significant portion of the campaign at right fullback, a problem area for the club as injuries prevented Mark Bloom from playing a single game.
“He prepares very well. He’s very organized; he’s very meticulous in how he prepares week in and week out,” coach Greg Vanney said of Morrow during the season.
And while centre backs Damien Perquis and Ahmed Kantari struggled at times—at that’s being charitable—Morrow was his consistent self.
In total, he played 32 regular season games and made 31 starts. Only Sebastian Giovinco—33 games and 32 starts—had better numbers, as clear an indication as any of just how important Morrow has become for Toronto.
“He has been one of most reliable, consistent players, in terms of minutes, in terms of who he is as person,” Bezbatchenko said earlier this month.
The team and player restarted contract negotiations after TFC’s season ended. After the Reds’ playoff exit, Morrow let it be known he wanted to stay.
“Toronto has got to be up there within the top places to play in MLS. The team wants to win, so I’d like to be here. I’m looking for the team to show me that I’m an important part,” Morrow said.
Morrow also became a father for the first time with the birth of his daughter Chiara in September.