Ahmed Kantari wanted to experience something new.
After a decade in France the 30-year-old centre-back finds himself in new surroundings, along with his wife and five-month old son.
“I spent all my career in France, 10 years as a professional,” Kantari said following training on Tuesday.
“I wanted to see something else. I wanted to travel and to [know what they do] outside of France. It’s a new experience and I want to see everything, and to enjoy the experience.”
Greg Vanney cited Kantari’s steadiness on the ball as well as his leadership abilities when describing the club’s newest defender.
“He’s a left footed, left centre-back. He knows the game very well, reads the game well and he’s been a captain of many of his teams. He communicates in multiple languages, which has been good in helping him integrate with the team.”
Communication has been a problem for the Reds at the back. They’ve conceded the most goals per game in the league thus far. Vanney pointed to his team’s tendency to defend in isolation rather than as a unit as one of the main reasons for Toronto’s poor defensive record.
The hope is Kantari can be a leader at the back, and that his ability to communicate with Damien Perquis in French adds a sense of cohesion to the back unit.
“We need a voice, somebody to take on that responsibility, Vanney said.
“Damien is off and on with it in terms of his communication. Sometimes, maybe it’s a language thing. With Ahmed and Damien next to each other the language can be French and they can be comfortable if they have Benoit with them as well.’
Cheyrou played against Kantari on several occasions during the former’s time with Marseille.
“He’s got a very good left foot and has a lot of experience playing in France,” said Cheyrou.
The belief is the French connection in the spine of TFC’s defence will lead to a sort of togetherness previously unseen so far this season. Communication between this trio will not be an issue.
Michael Bradley Ruled Out Of All-Star Game
Michael Bradley did not travel to Denver for the MLS All-Star game, but Sebastian Giovinco did.
“Michael suffered a calf [injury] while with the U.S. National team,” said Vanney. “He’s going to have a scan this afternoon. He’s questionable for the weekend.”
Giovinco did travel to Denver, but he’s still nursing the heel bruise that forced him out of Saturday’s match in Columbus.
“Sebastian will be evaluated when he gets there by the medical team that’s there. That’s where we are for now.”
Giovinco is questionable for this weekend, and it’s possible he doesn’t step onto the pitch in Colorado on Wednesday. That is the ideal scenario with an important stretch of games coming up in August as the Reds begin their push for the playoffs.
Jozy Altidore travelled with Giovinco to Denver and is expected to play in Wednesday night’s match against Tottenham if the Atomic Ant is ruled out due to injury.
