Good news came out of Toronto FC’s training session on Wednesday as centre-back Drew Moor emerged healthy following a nasty bout with flu.
“It was a flu bug like I’ve never had before,” said Moor following training. “I’m happy to be back in training and I’ve got my appetite back. I’m ready to get back after it.”
Jonathan Osorio did not train with the team as he continues to deal with a knee strain. Will Johnson is with the Canadian national team as they prepare for two massive World Cup qualifiers versus Mexico while Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore are with the U.S. set up as they prepare for matches against Guatemala. The international window allows for some reflection.
The Reds are enjoying some time home in the middle of a daunting road trip. So far, TFC believes they’ve played well through three matches.
“I like everything about this team,” said Moor. “To sit back and watch on Sunday, I was just impressed overall. I thought it was an unfair result [against SKC] at the end of the day. We defended extremely well.”
Defensive shape and structure were two points that were hammered home during the preseason. Though it may have felt repetitive at times, the messages sent by Greg Vanney and his coaching staff appear to have been accepted by the players.
“I thought we executed for the most part pretty close to perfect,” said Clint Irwin. “That’s how things go in this league. You go on the road, play well and sometimes you don’t get the result for whatever reason. We can take the positives from the performance [against SKC].”
“We played really well against a good team. That says a lot about where we are right now and where we are going.”
Though the team is not playing this weekend, the Reds are already looking ahead to next Saturday’s clash with the Colorado Rapids. The game will have special meaning for Moor and Irwin, who are both former Rapids players.
“This is going to be a tough trip for me mentally because it was home for six and a half years,” said Moor. “It’s an organization that I still and will always hold very close to my heart. It’s always tough to go back to your old place and play against your buddies."
The first team is off this weekend but Toronto FC II will begin their USL journey on Saturday at Red Bull Arena against New York Red Bulls II. Mo Babouli graduated to the first team after a fantastic 2015 season under Jason Bent’s charge. Head coach Greg Vanney sees more promise from the Young Reds this year. "From last year to this year the progress has been massive,” said Vanney.
Watch the game at 3 PM ET on Saturday on torontofc.ca.
