Squad Trains In Orlando

Toronto FC In Orlando

Toronto FC’s training camp has now moved south. After opening preseason with a trip to Turkey and spending time back in Toronto last week, the players arrived in Florida on Monday afternoon as Aron Winter continues to work with the team to instill his new style of play.

On Tuesday, the players went through a double training session on their first full day in Orlando. The team will train again on Wednesday before playing their first match of the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic against Houston Dynamo at 8:00 p.m. (live online on Toronto FC.ca).



The squad in Florida includes Academy players, Draft picks and some trialists, as Winter aims to fine tune his roster over the next week and assemble a squad that can play the creative, attractive, possession oriented game that the club wants to become known for.



As Aron Winter indicated last week, he is hoping to add Javier Martina, Nick Soolsma and Elbekay Bouchiba to his squad. The trio all spent time with Toronto in Turkey and are with the team in Orlando. Martina and Soolsma both started all three games in Turkey as wide forwards in Winter’s preferred 4-3-3 formation.



Three other trialists from Turkey have also travelled with the team to Florida. Canadian goalkeeper David Monsalve, midfielder Gianluca Zavarise and English defender Chris Hunter are with the squad again.



Two SuperDraft picks are with the team in Florida; right back Demetrius Omphroy and winger Joao Plata. The four players from Toronto FC Academy that were taken to the training camp in Turkey are also all on the trip; defender Ashtone Morgan, midfielders Matt Stinson and Oscar Cordon and forward Keith Makubuya.



New trialists are expected to join the squad ahead of the match on Thursday.