Toronto FC: Signing Omar Gonzalez fills crucial defensive hole

This week, Toronto FC announced the signing of center-back Omar Gonzalez. Is the USMNT man the answer to Toronto FC’s defensive woes?

Well, the rumour mill can stop spinning. Center-back Omar Gonzalez has put pen to paper with Toronto FC.

The 30-year-old defender, who transferred from Pachuca and was signed by TFC with Targeted Allocation Money on June 3, is an MLS legend of sorts, having accrued 180 appearances over seven years with LA Galaxy. He has also been a picture of durability, having logged over 2000 minutes in five of his MLS campaigns. A former Defender of the Year, Rookie of the Year and a three-time MLS Cup champion, it is safe to say one of the premier players MLS has ever seen is coming back home.

However, what he sees when he arrives might have him wishing he was back with those early 10’s LA Galaxy teams. Toronto FC’s backline is in shambles, and general manager Ali Curtis is entrusting Gonzalez to fix it.

On the season, Toronto FC have conceded 23 goals, good for second-highest among the teams currently residing in playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

Chris Mavinga, who has arguably been TFC’s best defender this season, had to leave this week’s match in Vancouver injured. Drew Moor is 35 and conceded a brutal penalty in the same match that gave the Whitecaps the lead before TFC struck back at the death. The signing of Laurent Ciman has been a complete and utter failure so far. He has not been able to lock down consistent minutes after having been named an MLS All-Star last season.

The ineptitude of the backline has forced Greg Vanney to move to a back-three-based formation in recent matches. But, with the addition of Gonzalez, maybe that formation can be avoided. Former All-Star Justin Morrow could reprise his primary defender role, while of course still making the odd run up the touchline, and TFC could get back to having a wall for a defence like they did during their MLS Cup run of 2017.

Even with Gonzalez, nothing is guaranteed. He can’t keep the ball out of the net by himself and, for TFC to contend for a playoff spot, Mavinga and Moor are likely going to need to step up. Still, there is no question that Gonzalez is a square peg for a square hole in Toronto.

Given the transfer rules, Gonzalez cannot debut for TFC until after June 7. He is set to be named to the squad in early July. His introduction will be most welcome. By God, do Toronto need him.