Altidore return on the horizon
TFC forward has been training with club and could play this weekend
Toronto FC star forward Jozy Altidore could make his muchanticipated return to the lineup when his team visits the Chicago Fire on Saturday.
“He could play a role as early as this weekend,” Toronto coach Greg Vanney said following training on Friday. “He’s been training for a couple of weeks, so it’s a matter of getting his fitness levels up.
Altidore has made 11 appearances this season in various competitions. He has played in just three MLS matches while collecting two goals in 2018. On May 8, Altidore underwent surgery to remove bone fragments in his foot.
“I’m excited to play, I wish it could be under better circumstances,” Altidore said.
Toronto has struggled in 2018. After reaching the MLS Cup final the past two seasons, defending champion Toronto has notched just four wins through 19 MLS matches this season.
TFC is second last (10th) in the MLS Eastern Conference and is 11 points back of the Montreal Impact, who occupy the final playoff spot.
Altidore played with a broken foot for 18 months before the surgery took place. Toronto FC’s CONCACAF Champions League success narrowed any possible window to deal with the injury earlier in the year.
“There’s never a good time to have the surgery,” Altidore said. “I held out as long as I could, but now I feel good and my foot feels better and I could have a good end to the season.”
Key injuries to players such as Altidore have contributed to Toronto FC’s struggles. His return should help bolster a lineup looking to recapture the glory of the past two campaigns.
“Hopefully, we can start to get him minutes and get him up to maximum fitness … and get him to be a 90-minute player,” Vanney said. “It’s going to take some work to get him there because it’s been a long break, but physically he looks good and he feels good.”
The injury situation is getting a bit better for TFC. Defender Chris Mavinga could return this weekend from ahamstring issue that was complicated by a problem with a sore tooth. Defender Greg van der Wiel (mild Achilles ailment) also could also be available.
With the defence struggling, adding those two probably won’t hurt. Toronto has given up eight goals in its past three MLS games.