TORONTO – Already without two of their three designated players and key starters, Toronto FC could also be missing experienced central defender Steven Caldwell for this weekend’s match against Real Salt Lake.
TFC coach Greg Vanney confirmed to reporters on Tuesday that Caldwell is questionable for Sunday’s affair in Utah as the Scottish defender is still recovering from a lingering injury.
Caldwell came out at halftime of the Reds’ 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew on March 14 when he complained of calf and Achilles tightness, and was replaced by fellow centre back Nick Hagglund. TFC were on a bye last week, and the hope was that extra time off would give Caldwell enough time to recover. But the Scottish defender remains a doubt for Sunday.
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“He’s (Caldwell) on the questionable list. We’ll see how he progresses over the course of the week,” Vanney said after Tuesday’s practice.
Like Caldwell, Damien Perquis didn’t train with the team on Tuesday as he is dealing with a minor calf strain, although Vanney said he expects the Frenchman to be available for selection on Sunday. Vanney did, however, reveal that defenders Mark Bloom (quad) and Eriq Zavaleta (ankle) are questionable for the Real Salt Lake match.
Another setback is the loss of left fullback Justin Morrow. TFC appealed the red card he picked up in the loss to Columbus. Vanney said he expects to hear back from MLS with a decision by Wednesday.
“I’m hoping that he’s going to be available (but) I’m expecting that he might not be available,” Vanney admitted.
If Caldwell can’t play, look for Hagglund to partner Perquis (assuming he’s fit) in the centre of defence for a TFC side that has conceded three goals over two games, and has yet to record a clean sheet. Canadian Ashtone Morgan would fill in on the left side of defence, while Warren Creavalle would start his third straight game at right back.
Options off the bench would be limited if Bloom and Zavaleta don’t recover, with Brazilian winger Jackson possibly filling in at right back if Creavalle had to be subbed out. Marco Delgado, who offers depth in defence, is away with the U.S. under-23 team.
The potential absences of Caldwell and Morrow would be huge blows for a Toronto team that will be without captain Michael Bradley and forward Jozy Altidore, who’s scored two of the the Reds’ three goals this season. Bradley and Altidore have been called up by the U.S. national team for friendlies on March 25 vs Denmark and March 31 vs Switzerland.
Sources close to the U.S. national team told Sportsnet that Bradley and Altidore will remain with the American squad for the duration of the camp, and won’t be allowed to come home after the Denmark contest in time to play in Utah.
“This will be a big test of our depth,” Vanney said of Sunday’s game.
Some good news for Toronto is that Sebastian Giovinco will remain with TFC after he was overlooked by manager Antonio Conte for the Italy’s Euro 2016 qualifying match against Bulgaria this coming weekend.
Giovinco has 21 caps for his country, and played in Italy’s last qualifying match in October. He’s also on very good terms with national team manager Antonio Conte, who coached the Atomic Ant during his time at Juventus and previously stated that Giovinco’s move to MLS wouldn’t automatically rule him out of contention for Italy.
But having played only two competitive games in the last two months worked against Giovinco this time around, as Conte instead called up two new faces to national team: Sampdoria’s Eder and Palermo’s Franco Vazquez, both of whom have shown good form as of late in Serie A.
The Azzurri’s loss is the gain of Toronto FC—they could use the Italian playmaker, who has looked very solid in his first two MLS games, against one of the best teams in the Western Conference.
Vanney admitted he was on “pins and needles” waiting to hear about Giovinco, and breathed a big sigh of relief when the former Juventus star was not called up by Conte.
“I’m sure at some level he wanted to (play for Italy), so for that I feel for him, and I’m sure he’ll get his chance. But for us, we’re happy to have him as an option,” Vanney said.
Real Salt Lake, like TFC, will also be missing important starters due to international duty. Starting goalkeeper Nick Rimando (U.S.) and midfielder Luis Gil (U.S. under-23) will miss Sunday’s contest, as will influential forward Alvaro Saborio, who has been called up by Costa Rica.
However, U.S. national team veteran Kyle Beckerman, one of the best midfielders in MLS, didn’t receive a call up and will be available for selection by Real Salt Lake on Sunday.
“They have some adjustments they’ll have to make as well. It’s the beauty of playing through the international break—we all have to deal with it,” Vanney stated.
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