Toronto FC was back in training on Tuesday ahead of its road game against the Philadelphia Union this weekend.
Here are some news and notes from today’s practice at the club’s training facility in Downsview.
GIOVINCO NEEDS TO MIX IT UP
Coach Greg Vanney won’t hesitate to let Sebastian Giovinco take another penalty, but he does think the Italian needs to take a different approach.
On Saturday, Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando stopped Giovinco’s first-half penalty attempt, a key moment in a game that saw the two sides battle to a 0-0 draw in their season opener. Giovinco was 7-for-8 from the penalty spot in MLS ahead of last weekend, with his previous miss coming in 2015, and that hit the post. No goalkeeper had been able to stop the Italian, even though he put his penalty shots in the exact same place—the lower left corner.
Saturday’s penalty wasn’t Giovinco’s best effort, but credit must be given to RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando for calling the Italian’s bluff, not allowing himself to get psyched out, and making the save.
Does Giovinco need to mix it up a bit after seeing his latest effort stopped by Rimando?
“I think, all things considered, it will get Seba thinking a little bit about his approach and the different things he can do,” Vanney told reporters after practice. “I’ve seen him hit all different sides of the goal [in training], so I know he’s capable of doing it.
“Maybe he’s a little superstitious, I’m not sure exactly, but he’s a good finisher. I know he can mix it up and he can do different things. And I think it’s probably about that time he starts showing some different looks to create a little more uncertainty for the goalkeepers.
“I thought if he kept going to that same side that someone was going to catch him at some point or another. Obviously, that was this weekend.”
ROSTER ADDITIONS
As of right now, Toronto FC has 25 players on its roster, but more additions could be made soon.
Last week, Vanney confirmed that they will sign striker Ben Spencer, who spent last year with the TFC 2, the team’s farm cub that plays in the second-tier USL. Finnish trialist Johan Bruneel, and fellow defender Oyvind Alseth, a third-round draft pick, remain with the team and could be signed.
MLS teams are allowed to carry 30 players on their senior rosters. Spencer would make 26, leaving four spots open. Vanney said Tuesday that they are having contract talks with a few guys and that they hope to have something finalized. But he also indicated they likely won’t fill all of the empty roster slots, as they want to leave themselves some flexibility in order to make potential moves later on in the season.
Toronto FC announced on Tuesday that it signed 25-year-old goalkeeper Mark Pais to TFC 2. Pais, 25, spent the last two seasons with Saint Louis FC in the USL.
EDWARDS LOOKS TO MAKE AN IMPACT
Toronto FC signed Raheem Edwards last week, making the 21-year-old from Toronto the 14th player to graduate to the first team from the club academy. Edwards travelled to Salt Lake, but he didn’t get in the game.
Edwards actually turned out for TFC last year, impressing during his brief appearances in the Amway Canadian Championship. His strong showing in that competition, combined with his steady progress with TFC 2 over the last two seasons, led to him earning an MLS contract.
Edwards described his experiences playing in the Amway Canadian Championship as “an out-of-body experience.”
“It showed me what the level is like up here [in MLS]. It’s fast; fast paced. You gotta be tactically sound, mentally sound. Just being up there, it showed me what I have to be, what I have to do in order to stay there,” Edwards said
Vanney explained he plans to deploy the youngster as a winger and wingback this season.
“He gives us a bit more of an attacking threat, he can beat guys on the dribble, he’s got very good speed, he’s a good crosser of the ball. It’s just continuing to work on his understanding of the position, especially on the defensive side. We like him, and he’s going to get his opportunities this year,” Vanney stated.
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INJURY NEWS: BEITASHOUR COULD MISS PHILLY
Right fullback Steven Beitashour did not practise with the team on Tuesday—he took a ball to the face during the Real Salt Lake game, and the fear is he may have suffered a concussion. He’ll be evaluated and monitored this week, but he could be questionable for Saturday’s game in Philadelphia.
Canadian defender Ashtone Morgan (recovering from foot surgery) remains out long-term. Vanney said Morgan is making progress, but is still several weeks away from returning to full training.
STATUS OF VAZQUEZ AND MAVINGA
Victor Vazquez is close to making his first start and playing a full 90 minutes for TFC, but Vanney hinted that the Spaniard will likely be used off the bench in Philadelphia as he is not fully fit.
Signed last month, Vazquez joined the club late in pre-season and was a bit rusty as he had not played a competitive game (with his previous club, Cruz Azul of Mexico) in several months. The former Barcelona youth product did impress when he came on as a second-half substitute in Salt Lake, linking up effectively with Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore.
Defender Chris Mavinga is back in town after returning to France to be with his wife as she gave birth. He missed the Salt Lake game, and his status for Saturday’s contest in Philadelphia will be determined later this week.
QUICK LOOK AHEAD TO SATURDAY
Toronto will take on the Union on Sunday evening, the second match of the Reds’ three-game road trip to start the regular season.
Like TFC, Philly is coming off a 0-0 draw, away to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Reds were unbeaten against the Union last season, earning a draw and two wins, including in the playoffs.
After this weekend, Toronto visits the Vancouver Whitecaps on March 18. The club will then have a bye week, before hosting Sporting Kansas City in its home opener on March 31.
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