INTERVIEWS: Nelsen | Defoe | Hagglund | Osorio | Orr
There will be no time for Toronto FC to dwell on a controversial loss to Sporting Kansas City last Saturday.
The Reds have two games remaining before the beginning of the All-Star break. Their first comes against DC United on Wednesday night.
Through 18 games Ryan Nelsen’s side is in third place, well in the playoff hunt with games in hand on their nearest rivals.
Their stars have been as good as advertised, led by Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley. When the duo was introduced during a press conference in January the plan was clear. Defoe and Bradley will be tasked with leading this franchise to new heights. They were confident at the time their goal would be accomplished, and through the halfway point we can see why.
Even with Bradley departing for the World Cup in June, he injected desperately needed confidence and leadership into this club. Defoe, who missed Saturday’s contest due to suspension, is a legitimate MVP candidate.
Credit must be paid to a group of unheralded players, however, that gave Nelsen vital minutes after injuries and other circumstances struck throughout the first half.
Bradley Orr
The right-back on loan from Blackburn is making his most important contributions to the club out of position. Tasked with filling in at center-back in place of Steven Caldwell and Doneil Henry during critical moments this season, Orr has been the coach’s best friend. He’s even played in the midfield, displaying the kind of versatility that is so important in this league.
Nick Hagglund
An early season win in Columbus was a sign of things to come moving forward. Orr and Nick Hagglund started at center-back, with injuries and suspension forcing Nelsen to rely on the rookie. Hagglund answered the call then, and he continues to do so now.
The Xavier product is a rookie of the year candidate, winning praise around the league. "I don't know what I expected MLS to be,” said the 21-year-old in an interview in early July. “I kept telling myself, 'This is a game I've played 1,000 times. It's going to be the same game. It's just going to be people better than me – stronger, more physical, more intelligent.'"
So far so good.
Daniel Lovitz
Toronto’s other impact rookie doesn’t have Hagglund’s pedigree, but that hasn’t stopped the Elon graduate for making an impact in his first MLS season. The second-round pick shined against Tottenham, registering a solid 90 minute performance and an excellent assist on Andrew Wiedeman’s goal.
"Dan is another young kid that's just getting better each day," Nelsen said following that game. "He had a very good game. He was playing against a couple of world class defenders. For a young man that six months ago was at university still, it is a great experience for him."
Luke Moore
One of four impact midseason additions, Moore’s ability to play off of Defoe is making Toronto’s MVP candidate that much more dangerous. So much so, that Gilberto is finding getting into the lineup a difficult endeavor.
The 28-year-old Birmingham, England native is filling in on the goalscoring front as well, registering three goals in 11 games.
Doneil Henry
Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger goes the old adage usually associated with terrible movies, but there is truth in that cliche.
Doneil Henry suffered through a rocky beginning to start the 2014 campaign. He kept working, however, exhibiting the sort of perseverance Nelsen raves about.
The Canadian will unfortunately miss out on Wednesday’s clash due to suspension.
Beltway Notes
DC United defender Jeff Parkes is dealing with migraines and is out indefinitely.
The club is reportedly eyeing a trial for Korean defender Lee Ki-Je from the J-League.
D.C’s friendly versus Fulham in Jacksonville was a costly one, with the club losing backup goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra for the rest of the season.
The Galaxy acquired the third position in the MLS allocation ranking from D.C. for defender Kofi Opare,
