Much-needed reinforcements coming soon for injury-plagued Toronto FC

TORONTO — Reinforcements are on the way for an injury-plagued Toronto FC side that struggled mightily over the first half of the Major League Soccer season. The players can’t return soon enough. The team is mired in a six-game winless skid and will need a strong second half to get back in the playoff mix. The long injury list includes Jozy Altidore (foot), Drew Moor (quad), Chris Mavinga (hamstring), Victor Vazquez (knee), Auro Jr. (hamstring) and Gregory van der Wiel (Achilles).

Specific player return dates had yet to be finalized after Monday’s practice in hot, muggy conditions at the team’s training facility. But the lineup will soon look more like the squad that won the 2017 MLS Cup and enjoyed a deep run in the CONCACAF Champions League this year.

“We could be as close to whole as we’ve been in a long, long time over the next two weeks,” Vanney said. “Again, that’s our hope. We should get some guys back this weekend. We should get a lot more back by the next weekend.”

Vanney has been forced to turn to backups and slot some regulars into different positions in recent weeks. Toronto FC (4-11-4), which dropped a 2-1 decision in Orlando over the weekend, has one victory in its past nine games.

First up this week is the opening leg of the Canadian Championship semifinal on Wednesday in Ottawa. Expect regulars such as Michael Bradley and Sebastian Giovinco to sit out as they rest ahead of Saturday’s MLS game against the 6-10-5 Chicago Fire at Toyota Park.

TFC’s only win over the last two months was a 2-0 decision over Philadelphia on June 8. They have racked up four losses and two draws since.

“Through this whole stretch we’ve lost every game by one goal,” Vanney said. “We haven’t played the quality of soccer that has come to be known of this team.

“In the last couple of games, I think just the mindless loss of possession and the overexertion has then led to, I think, a group that has looked tired at times. So we’ve got to tighten things up.”

Goalkeeper Alex Bono felt the timing of the domestic semifinal could be a good thing for TFC.

“It’s nice to get your mind off of what’s happening in the league right now,” he said. “Obviously, it’s been difficult for us. Just going in and seeing a new team, seeing faces that we don’t see, playing in environments that we don’t usually play in, it’s nice to switch it up and see a change.”

The second leg of the semifinal will be played at BMO Field on July 25. Vancouver and Montreal will meet in the other semifinal.