It’s a busy week ahead for Toronto FC, with the Reds hosting Orlando City on Wednesday and Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.
Here are some news and notes from today’s TFC training session….
Jozy could face further suspension
American forward Jozy Altidore picked up a red card late in the first half of the Reds’ 3-1 road loss to the New England Revolution on Saturday. Altidore petulantly kicked out at Jose Goncalves following some rough treatment from the Revs defender.
Altidore’s expulsion means he also earned an automatic one-game suspension, ruling him out for the Orlando match. But Major League Soccer could take further action against Altidore—the league has suspended players extra games for being sent off for violent conduct.
“We haven’t heard anything more (from MLS); I’m not sure what to expect,” Vanney said. “As per league rules they’ll review it and they will determine if there’s anything more on it. … We’ll see what happens.”
Vanney said he has spoken privately with Altidore, who served as team captain against New England, about his lack of discipline.
“He knows he let the team down,” Vanney said. “He had the responsibility of the (captain’s) armband, so he’s clearly aware of that.”
Vanney admitted he thought it was out of character for Altidore to respond the way he did.
“He’s harbouring some frustrations over the past month between the (U.S.) national team and injuries. I think it just emerged in one moment there and my hope is that we got it out and he’s ready to focus and help us out down the stretch,” Vanney explained.
Altidore was not made available to speak to reporters after Tuesday’s practice.
Kaka and Larin: Orlando’s 1-2 punch
Defensive issues have plagued TFC this season.
The Reds have given up 34 goals in 20 games, and has only kept four clean sheets since the start of the campaign. Since a 0-0 draw against D.C United on June 27, Toronto has conceded a whopping 15 goals over their last five matches.
Things won’t get any easier with Brazilian star Kaka and Canadian sensation Cyle Larin coming to town on Wednesday.
Larin, a 20-year-old native of Brampton, Ont., ranks fourth in MLS scoring with 11 goals in 16 games for Orlando, tying the league record for most goals by a rookie in a season. He’s coming off a two-goal performance in Orlando’s win over Columbus on the weekend. The game before Larin netted a hat trick in a win against New York City FC, and was named MLS player of the week.
One of Larin’s strength’s has been his ability to quickly separate himself from opposing central defenders who try to close him down in the final third of the pitch—even when he’s been outnumbered.
“He’s been one against two at times in the box but he’s been able to create that (space) where he’s turned things on goal and found the net. For me, when you have two against one there’s always this feeling you can ‘zone’ something and that to me is dangerous with (Larin) who can pull away and get an extra yard,” Vanney stated.
So how do you stop him?
“We have to have a physical presence on him. One guy always has to have contact with him. It can’t be two of (our defenders) just marking the space in front and behind him. We have to be physically connected to him at all times and make sure he doesn’t get a clean look on goal,” Vanney explained.
Kaka has nine goals and four assists in 21 appearances for Orlando.
“Kaka is a difference maker on the field. You have to know where he is at all times,” Vanney said, later adding that the Brazilian is “crafty and great server of the ball.”
Injury update
Captain Michael Bradley didn’t play in the loss to New England because of a calf injury and according to Vanney he remains “very questionable” for Wednesday’s contest. Vanney indicated that Bradley could be ready for Saturday’s home match against Kansas City.
Left fullback Ashtone Morgan is fit again and is available for selection vs. Orlando. The Canadian defender has sat out the last few games with an abductor strain.
Defenders Clement Simonin (knee) and Nick Hagglund (recovery from appendectomy) remain sidelined for Toronto. Forward Luke Moore (ankle) is also out.
Midfielder Collen Warner has served his one-game suspension, and will likely be in TFC’s starting line-up versus Orlando.
Williams has to earn his spot
Toronto picked up right fullback Josh Williams off waivers last Friday, but TFC fans will have to wait a bit longer to see what he can offer on the pitch.
Williams, 27, made his MLS debut in 2010 with the Columbus Crew before being traded to New York City FC last December. Williams played five games with NYCFC this season, and was released by the club on July 25.
“I was plagued by injuries (in New York) so I never really got my feet underneath me there,” Williams offered.
Vanney described Williams as a “big body” who can play as a central defender and right fullback, and as someone who “gets up and down the line well” and is “comfortable on the ball.”
Williams hasn’t played a competitive game since May 10, and that’s why Vanney said his new defender won’t feature in Wednesday’s match.
“We’re getting his fitness back up. It’s been a little while since he’s even been in a full training session. We’ve been assessing his fitness and hope to integrate him into training very soon and get him on the available list ASAP,” Vanney stated.
“It’s very different to go from training on your own to being in a training session, and being in a match. We want to make sure we get him in the best possible form and give him the best opportunity to be successful to help us out.”
Williams’ arrival also poses a serious line-up question for Vanney to ponder.
Ashtone Morgan has excelled at left fullback this year, so much so that Justin Morrow has been moved to the right side of defence to accommodate the Canadian. Morrow has looked sharp at right fullback.
So what does Vanney do? Does he shift Morrow back to his natural position on the left side and insert Williams at right fullback when he’s ready to go? Or will Vanney stick with Morgan at left fullback, and keep Morrow on the right, and use Williams as a depth player?
“It’s tough to say. When we get down to the end of the year I think it’s going to be who’s in form (and) who fits well with the back group. I don’t have enough of assessment of Josh because he’s coming back from (a long layoff), so he needs to get back in form and then we can make that determination,” Vanney said.
