TORONTO – His is an infectious smile.

Ashtone Morgan has seen a lot in his seven years with Toronto FC. Bursting onto the scene in 2010 in the CONCACAF Champions League, Morgan earned a first team contract the following season, and became the first player in club history to reach the 100-cap mark in all competitions back in 2015.

A troublesome foot injury that twice required surgery dampened the next two seasons. Through it all, Morgan has remained an important member of the squad, not only for his play on the pitch, but for what he represents: Toronto.

“Ashtone is a huge part of this club,” said Drew Moor last week. “He's the consummate Toronto guy. He screams Toronto. I love it. The fans love him.”

Every team needs a guy like Morgan, one who ties where the club has been to where it is going. Continuity is important. History is important.

“You do your job and you do it well. A good guy within the locker room. You stay you get rewarded; get your opportunities. He's the epitome of that,” explained Greg Vanney. “A guy who has been through a lot of ups and downs with club. It makes you important when you're the longest tenured guy and you have the personality that Ash has. A guy who has persevered through a lot of days with the club, some good, some bad, he's continuing to do his thing.”

Morgan downplayed the praise, changing the subject slightly: “It's cool. I'm here for the boys whenever they need advice for the city: where to live, where to eat; different things to do. I'm always here as a helping hand when it comes to the city.”

Last week was a big one for Morgan, as not only did he score his first goal on July 19 against NYC FC, but he also made his 100th appearance in MLS days later against Colorado.

“I didn't even think I was going to be able to make one appearance with a professional club [in my home town],” admitted Morgan after training on Wednesday. “Getting the hundred is amazing. I'm not taking it for granted, I've worked hard for it. I'm going to soak it all up, get a hundred more now.”

“I want to play as long as I can, for however long that is,” added Morgan.

The milestone provides a good chance to reflect back on the last seven years.

“I definitely have a few [favourite moments],” recalled Morgan. “The CONCACAF Champions League against Santos Laguna, semifinal [in 2012]. Playing the LA Galaxy in the quarters at the Rogers Centre. My first goal. My first game with TFC. Making the playoffs for the first time two years ago. Making the final, the first time for this club, for this city, was also amazing. I've had a lot of moments with this team. It's been good.”

The first 66 MLS appearances came thick and fast, in his first three seasons; the next 34 were more irregular. Add in the injury ordeal and Morgan approaches his next century a different man.

“I learned from that time away from the pitch: I cherish every moment,” said Morgan. “You realize that you can't play forever, so while you're doing it you need to be all in, enjoy it as much as you can.”

And enjoy it he did, pouncing on a Ben Spencer cross at the back-post to score his first ever professional goal for TFC in any competition.


“I was super happy for Ash,” smiled Vanney days later. “Astonished because he took it like he was a striker that finishes those every single game. He was so composed. He hit it and I thought, 'that went in the goal'. It was very instinctual, very composed. He didn't have a ton of space to put that ball into the net.” 

“He's gotten better with each of the games he's played since he's come back,” noted Vanney of the five consecutive appearances Morgan has made. “He was rewarded for being more aggressive on the attacking side.”

The magnitude of the moment wasn't lost on his teammates.

“You saw the way we celebrated with him,” explained Moor. “The injuries he's been through.... He's been such a good professional, such a good teammate. For him to score his first goal. I know it was huge for him; it was special for all of us.”

Morgan himself described it as, '[a] breath of fresh air'.

“A lot of weight that I've put on myself off my shoulders,” continued Morgan. “It felt like I put all of that behind me. It was a great feeling.”