The injury news just keeps getting worse for Toronto FC. Much worse, in fact.
The Major League Soccer club confirmed on Friday that both captain Michael Bradley (knee sprain) and Canadian midfielder Will Johnson (leg bone fracture) are expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.
Bradley picked up his injury while playing for the U.S. national team in last Saturday’s third place match at the Copa America against Colombia. The American midfielder has one assist in 12 MLS appearances for the Reds this season.
Johnson’s injury occurred as he scored TFC’s injury time goal in Wednesday night’s Amway Canadian Championship final against the Vancouver Whitecaps, a goal that allowed the Reds to win the Voyageurs Cup on the away goals rule. Johnson has three goals and two assists in 18 matches in all competitions this season.
The loss of Bradley and Johnson are massive blows for the Reds, as they’ll be without two of their best and most influential midfielders for a long stretch.
The timing of their prolonged absences couldn’t be any worse. Toronto is already without forward Jozy Altidore, who’s been out long term with a hamstring injury. Last Saturday, starting goalkeeper Clint Irwin suffered a quadriceps strain in a match against Orlando City. He was subsequently ruled out for the next six weeks.
Altidore is on the road to recovery and if all goes well he should return to action sometime this month. But for the moment, Toronto is without four key starters. Surely, TFC’s resolve and mental strength will be tested in the coming weeks—to say nothing of their depth.
Toronto currently sits seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 5-6-4 record—the top six qualify for the playoffs. Losing Irwin was bad enough, and they probably could have survived without him for six weeks. But combine Irwin’s absence with the layoffs of Bradley and Johnson, and you have to question whether Toronto can overcome this injury crisis and still qualify for the post-season.
If the timetable holds true, all three players should be available for the Aug. 13 game vs. the Houston Dynamo. TFC has eight league matches before then.
Johnson’s injury could also put him in doubt for Canada’s upcoming World Cup qualifying games—the Reds are scheduled to face Honduras on the road on Sept. 2. Four days later they’ll host El Salvador. Canada currently sits third in its group—the top two nations move on to the Hex; Mexico has already qualified—and realistically needs to win one of those games to advance. If Johnson can’t play, Canada’s task becomes much more difficult.
Toronto hosts the Seattle Sounders on Saturday at BMO Field.
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