Training camp in Southern California is in full swing as a mix of Toronto FC and Toronto FC II players prepare for their upcoming seasons.

The dynamic is an interesting one. For the youngsters granted an opportunity to travel and train with the first team, it’s a chance to pick the brains of players that have made the trek from rookie to MLS mainstay. 

Justin Morrow was once a wide eyed first-year player looking to carve out a career in the professional ranks after being selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by the San Jose Earthquakes.

The veterans on that Quakes team helped Morrow learn what it took to be a professional.

"Ramiro Corrales was great,” said Morrow following training on Friday at the University of California, Irvine campus.

“He took me under his wing and showed me a lot of things. Bobby Convey, I watched him a lot. Guys like Jason Hernandez and Chris Wondolowski were great for me.”

Now it’s Morrow’s turn to pay it forward, and players like second-year right back Wesley Charpie are eager to listen.

“This is my second year going through [the preseason] and I feel this year I’m much more mature now on and off the field,” said Charpie, who is one of six Toronto FC II players with the first team in California.

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“Learning from veteran guys like Morrow, anytime they can give me pointers I really want to listen to what they have to say. You can learn a lot from the first team coaching staff, but when you make a connection with the guys on the team like Justin and the other vets, it makes a difference.”

The biggest lesson delivered by Morrow thus far? Don’t take this for granted. Through circumstances within and outside of your control, the dream of playing this game for a living can come to an end quickly.

“It’s a job, someone is always coming for your job,” stated Morrow. “There’s always someone that wants your spot. It’s part realizing that and part realizing that every time you step on the field you have to do your job.”

Getting minutes in a professional environment right away wasn’t an option for Morrow when he arrived on the scene and it’s something that’s giving players like Charpie a chance to develop their game outside of the spotlight.

“It’s a different atmosphere now for the younger guys,” said Morrow. “Things like USL are helpful for their development. Right now there’s a lot of [young players] in preseason with us so they’re getting that exposure as well. There’s a lot of opportunities for these guys.”

Charpie’s goal is clear. He wants to become a member of Toronto FC and is keen on achieving that goal sooner rather than later. But to his credit, the University of South Florida graduate knows he must clean up the fine details in his game to get there.

“Conversations with [the veterans], talking about what they’ve gone through throughout their career and how it really takes time to develop into a top MLS player. You have to have patience and I’ve learned that. You have to come to training and always bring a 100 percent focused mentality.”

What better way to learn what it takes than spending time with the players you want to emulate? It makes a lot of sense.

Join MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco and the rest of Toronto FC at BMO Field this season. 2016 Toronto FC Season Seats are on sale from $608 and up. In addition to Toronto FC Season Tickets, the Reds are currently on sale with TFC II Season Seats at $75.00 for TFC Season Seat Holders & $120.00 for non-TFC season seat holders. For More information head to TorontoFC.ca/tickets