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Three Things To Know About Toronto FC Heading Into 2021

By Connor Somerville

MLS, MLS Power Rankings (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MLS, MLS Power Rankings (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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All Hail The Youth

Jun 26, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Jacob Shaffelburg (24) gives the thumbs-up after missing a scoring chance against Atlanta United FC at BMO Field. Toronto FC beat Atlanta United FC 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Jacob Shaffelburg (24) gives the thumbs-up after missing a scoring chance against Atlanta United FC at BMO Field. Toronto FC beat Atlanta United FC 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s no secret Toronto will rely on its academy, TFC II, and younger players more often this season. Armas commented on this in his press conference after the Leon match saying:

"“I said I was going to play the young players and look how many of them played tonight” (credit to Michael Singh for the quote)"

Overall, the Leon match was a brilliant performance from players like Shaffelburg, Priso, and Okello. Their success is likely a sign of things to come this season, as Toronto continue to rely on their youth to develop and build their squad to create a more sustainable and economically beneficial future for them. With the likes of Jakheele Marshall-Rutty and Jayden Nelson not even featuring on the bench, it only becomes more likely that we see more of an impact from those players on a team that made zero new additions in the offseason.

This trend will likely continue with a condensed schedule and injuries having a big impact on who will be available for each match. If you should take anything away from this game, apart from the unbelievable result, it’s the emergence of the young talent on TFC as difference makers. The young talent showed that they could have a big impact on games, both as starters and off the bench.

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