Nowhere Moor would rather be
Veteran Toronto defender inks one-year extension to help defend MLS title
With his two boys born in Canada, Drew Moor feels right at home in Toronto.
So despite free agency looming, it didn’t take the veteran defender long to sign a new deal with Toronto FC. Less than a week after winning the MLS Cup, Moor agreed to a one-year contract extension plus an option.
The negotiations were simple, said Moor, despite putting them off until after the playoffs to be able to focus on the task at hand.
“It was positive from both sides,” Moor said in an interview. “I’m extremely excited to get the deal done. There’s just no other place ... I’d rather be right now.”
The Texas native, who turns 34 in January, was eligible for free agency at the end of the year.
Moor has been the anchor of the Toronto defence since joining the club two years ago as a free agent from Colorado. Able to read the game from the back, the cerebral centre back is also a threat to score from set pieces.
While the option on the new contract is pretty standard in Major League Soccer, Moor says he is putting no limits on how long he can play.
“If I go out next season and have a very good year and do the things that they want me to do, hopefully they’ll pick up that option and I’ll stay for 2019. If not, then we’ll obviously have to go back to the drawing board.”
He expects his role to stay the same, eating up minutes at the centre of defence.
“There hasn’t been any discussions yet. I think they expect me to come back and be who I am. And that is a guy that comes in and works hard every day and pushes himself to be better and pushes my teammates to be better. And does everything I can to help this club be a successful one.
“And if that’s on the field, then that’s awesome. And if it’s in a leadership role where I didn’t see the field as much, then that’s awesome as well. But to me personally I want to come and play as much as possible.”
The 13-year MLS veteran made 34 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring two goals and adding one assist as Toronto won the MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield and Canadian Championship.
He has played 57 regular-season games and scored five goals over the last two years with TFC.