Toronto FC: How are they positioned for MLS restart?
MLS is inching closer and closer to returning to games. Here, we take a look at how Toronto FC are positioned as the 2020 season prepares to restart.
COVID-19 has turned the world upside down. Everything has been put on hold. And with eMLS now over, the league will likely try to get back to action as soon as possible. This is especially true with the increased potential audience due to other leagues being put on hold.
In every North American sports league, the resumption of play will result in a completely different season. MLS is no different, and with the league appearing to inch closer and closer to restarting, it begs the question, how will teams do in the new system? Well, let’s take a look at Toronto FC, a team that could massively benefit and be critically hurt by the resumption of games.
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Let’s start with the positives. The biggest positive for Toronto FC coming out of the suspension is getting their captain and midfield maestro back from injury. Micheal Bradley had surgery on his ankle during the preseason after suffering an injury in the MLS Cup Final against the Seattle Sounders. The resulting recovery time from the surgery meant he’d be out of action for around four months. Now, however, instead of missing games in the double digits, he might only miss two, which is a massive positive for the squad. His leadership and work-rate are almost unmatched and should provide a massive morale boost to the squad. This could be crucial to Toronto having a successful season.
Not only are Toronto getting Bradley back; they might also be able to add Pablo Piatti to the starting XI. The brand new Designated Player has yet to play a match for Toronto FC after picking up an injury in training, which is not entirely surprising, but he should be healthy by the time play resumes. The big question surrounding Piatti will be, can he stay healthy? In a condensed schedule, that’s going to be a difficult task for Toronto’s medical staff and trainers. This brings us to the biggest problem for Toronto FC, the potential of a condensed schedule.
Toronto FC’s best players are ageing. Bradley, Piatti, Jozy Altidore, Omar Gonzalez, Quentin Westberg, are all over the age of 30. These five players will be crucial to Toronto’s prospects, no matter what the new schedule ends up being. This is especially worrisome given that a truncated season is likely to see multiple games played every week. With an ageing lineup that has struggled with injuries, this concoction could be catastrophic.
That said, unlike many other teams in MLS, Toronto FC’s squad depth is absurd. Apart from the full-back positions, Toronto has at least two viable players at every position. The reserve options aren’t as good as the starters, obviously, but there is some serious depth on this team and that will bode well in a league that often suffers from a huge disparity between the stars and regular squad players.
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So, where does this leave Toronto FC? Well, getting your captain and biggest leader in the midfield back is very helpful, for one. Throw in the new DP getting healthy and it seems almost too good to be true. However, games will come at a condensed schedule, increasing the possibility of injury and general fatigue. Add an ageing lineup and it gets a little bit more worrisome. But, on the whole, Toronto will benefit from the break more than they are hurt by it.