Thomas Rongen knows something about football.

Having coached at four Major League Soccer teams, national youth squads and a tiny island nation that captured the imagination of the planet in an emotional 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, Rongen conveys enthusiasm about the beautiful game like very few can.

Toronto FC TV has finally touched down in Orlando and after some hiccups that are common with technology and travel, player interviews from Orlando are now ready to be consumed.

Click on the interview you would like to watch below

Read More]]> Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:07:42 GMT http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2012/02/day-two-halves

Training Tuesday

Toronto FC training was split in two sections on Tuesday. First team players took part in regular exercises, while Academy players, trialists and a handful of reserves were tested in a low key late afternoon friendly against University of Central Florida. More on that later.

The first team players may have had the afternoon off from training but they were in high demand with TSN shooting its 2012 broadcast promotional footage at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
 

Photo: Toronto FC Academy forward Stefan Vukovic (L) and goalkeeper Quillan Roberts could feature for the Reserve team.

NEW YORK – Major League Soccer announced Monday the schedule for the 2012 MLS Reserve League season. Each of the 19 MLS clubs will participate in 10 matches for a total of 95 Reserve League games. The full MLS Reserve League schedule is below.

Toronto FC players had a recovery session Saturday and on Sunday, are expected to enjoy their first day off from training since arriving in Orlando six days earlier.

On Friday night the Reds beat University of South Florida 5-1 in a friendly, where Luis Silva scored twice on his Toronto debut, then set up Nick Soolsma and Terry Dunfield for two other tallies. Joao Plata also found the net against USF.

RELATED: Silva stars in 5-1 triumph
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Photo: Adrian Cann is "progressing very, very well" according to Paul Mariner

TORONTO – Central defence was a weakness for Toronto FC last season. But indications from preseason training is that may be about to change, as there is potential for improvement coming from different fronts.

The two recently signed centre backs – Geovanny Caicedo of Ecuador and Miguel Aceval of Chile – appear to be making the adjustment to their new surroundings.

Read More]]> Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:12:55 GMT http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2012/02/silva-stars-toronto-triumph

Photo: Toronto FC rookie midfielder Luis Silva

ORLANDO – Toronto FC won its first 2012 preseason match 5-1 in a friendly against University of South Florida at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Friday night.

Fourth overall 2012 MLS SuperDraft pick Luis Silva was the star of the evening with an early brace, then helping to set up two other goals – all in a five star first half.

Read More]]> Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:44:23 GMT http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2012/02/toronto-face-usf-friday

Photo: Head coach Aron Winter will test his squad against the University of South Florida Friday night

Matchday

Toronto FC will play its first preseason game Friday night, a light, friendly warm-up ahead of the start to Disney Classic in eight days (February 25 at 6 p.m. ET against Orlando City).

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Photo: Eric Avila skips past a Columbus player in Toronto's 4-2 win last season

TORONTO – At just 24 years old, attacking midfielder Eric Avila is already entering his fifth MLS season. That makes him a veteran and a leader – even if he doesn't think he fully deserves the stripes just yet.

“I don’t see myself as that,” Avila said earlier in training camp before the team left for preseason camp in Orlando. “I’d like to play more games and be more experienced in a way.”
Read More]]> Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:26:04 GMT http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2012/02/kia-unveils-special-tfc-optima

Photo: Toronto FC logo on all four wheels of the Special Edition Kia Optima

TORONTO - The award-winning 2012 Kia Optima premiered a one-of-a-kind vehicle at the 2012 Canadian International Auto Show with the unveiling of the Toronto FC Special Edition vehicle.

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