It was clear when Clint Irwin was acquired via trade that he would be the number one goalkeeper in 2016. Less clear, however, was who win would the competition for the number two spot behind Irwin. We got an answer on Thursday.
Alex Bono, along with four other players, returned to Toronto to join TFC II for their training camp. Quillan Roberts will start the season with the big club when they travel to New York for the season opener next week against the Red Bulls. Bono will immediately jump into the number one role with TFC II and play against the Ottawa Fury on Friday.
“In the short-term Q has won the backup position. He deserves it and he’s earned it,” said head coach Greg Vanney.
Roberts is entering his fourth season as a professional. Last season the 21-year-old started 15 matches for Toronto FC II, going 3-7-5. He also spent time training with Werder Bremen’s U23 squad during the offseason.
“TFC II had to rely on Q a lot because it was a very young team and I think that helped him in terms of his development and his progression as a professional,” said Vanney.
The competition between Roberts and Bono was one of the more intriguing battles during the preseason. It isn’t over, either. Both players are expected to rotate up in down between squads in order to get minutes.
“TFC II is a very valuable tool for us, especially for goalkeepers because it gives guys a chance to get minutes and experience,” said goalkeeper coach Jon Conway. “That’s going to be used throughout the year because keepers can’t be sitting around for too long. They need to play.”
“If Clint is getting the majority of games we don’t want Q just sitting around and never getting minutes,” added Vanney.
“[Q’s] been a pro now for a while and it’s just about finding those games,” said Irwin. “In the goalkeeper world they say you need 100 games before you can say you’re experienced and you’re at the level you need to be. No matter what the level is [professionally] you have to find games.”
Logging minutes with the Young Reds paid dividends for Roberts.
“It was great playing week in and week out,” he said. “We didn’t get the results we wanted every week but it was good to get those minutes.”
Roberts has accomplished his first goal by sticking with the big club to start the season. His journey, however, is still in its nascent stages.
“At the end of the day we’re all fighting for one spot,” said Roberts regarding TFC’s goalkeepers’ union. “We’re trying to push each other as hard as we can.”
“The key for [Q] will be to hold on to that spot and push for the first spot so that there’s competition among the group to keep all of them sharp,” stated Vanney.
Roberts has impressed the coaching staff by taking ownership of what he does everyday, both on and off the training pitch. He’s got all the tools needed to succeed. “He’s not just a shot-stopper,” added Irwin. “He’s got very good feet, he’s good on the ball and he’s very powerful.”
It’s now up to Roberts to keep pushing.
