TFC’s Vanney trains focus on revived supporter’s shield trophy
Awarded to high finisher on MLS table
Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney has too much on his mind to start thinking about whether he deserves to win Major League Soccer coach-ofthe-year honours this season.
On Friday, for instance, he was contemplating what his daily workout might be following the team’s training session.
“I’m going to participate in the ball-hockey tournament that’s been going on,” said the 2017 MLS coach of the year. “I have yet to play, but I think I might join in today. It’s Canada against the U.S. I have to pick my team. The U.S. is up three games to two.”
One of the media guys on the Zoom call suggested that the former U.S. international, who has coached in Toronto for seven years, pick Canada. Vanney had a laugh about that. But something he wasn’t laughing about was the decision by the Supporters’ Shield Foundation on Friday to reverse a move they made last week.
The SSF initially announced they would not award the 2020 Supporters’ Shield — a trophy awarded to the MLS club that finishes on top of the regular season standings. TFC currently leads the MLS table with 41 points. The SSF cited a number of reasons for not wanting to award the trophy this year, including a lack of fans in the stands and the unbalanced schedule. However, that initial decision was met with a groundswell of indignation and anger, including from TFC players and officials. And so when the SSF announced on Friday that they would indeed award the trophy this year, Vanney applauded the move.
“I don’t think it’s just about our team,” he said. “I think it’s about all the players in the league who have competed this season through thick and thin and through tough times. (When) we start a season your goal is always to win trophies and really there’s only three of them out there, the domestic championship, the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup. And the Supporters’ Shield is the long haul. (So) I applaud them again for being open-minded and bringing it back.
“There’s three, four, five teams that are still within reach so there’s still a lot of work to be done,” added Vanney, whose club faces a strong Philadelphia Union side on Saturday night. “But we’re excited about the prospect, as I’m sure other teams are in the league.”
As for the possibility of winning a second coach-of-the-year award, Vanney certainly deserves consideration.
The Tempe, Ariz., native has guided the Reds to the top of the standings despite the up-and-down schedule, plus the fact that they have to play home games in Hartford, Conn., in addition to the many injuries that have plagued the club.
“My focus and attention purely is on trying to win this Supporter’s Shield race,” he said. “We’re just so close — and with only four games to go and in pole position. Whatever comes at the end of the day, it is what it is. I hope it comes with a Supporters’ Shield and then after that hopefully we have the opportunity to win the Canadian Championship and then get a chance to make a good run at the MLS Cup. The rest of it is gravy.”
LARYEA AND PIATTI HONOURED
Richie Laryea and Pablo Piatti, who teamed up to score TFC’S lone goal in the victory over Atlanta on Oct. 18, were named to the MLS Team of the Week. Laryea got a step on an Atlanta defender with his quickness and creativity and sent a ball through the box that Piatti was able to head home. It was Piatti’s fourth goal of the year and Laryea’s fourth assist.
INJURED PLAYER UPDATES
Vanney said Ayo Akinola (hamstring) trained “hard” on Friday and is a possibility for Saturday’s match. Centre back Chris Mavinga (hamstring) is making progress and could return for Wednesday’s match against New York City FC. Defenders Justin Morrow (calf) and Eriq Zavaleta (hamstring) trained this week and will be available against Philly. Goalkeeper Alex Bono (dislocated finger) had the stitches removed from his finger on Friday but is not ready to catch balls. Forward Jozy Altidore (hamstring) is “still a way’s away.”
POZ THE BOZ
TFC attacking midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo, who is widely considered the leading MLS MVP candidate this year, said on Friday that his two years in Toronto have been some of the happiest of his career. The Maestro joined the Reds in 2019 after four seasons with Genk of the Belgian First Division. He has also played in La Liga (Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano) and in the Premier League (Swansea).
“The most important thing in football is to enjoy,” Pozuelo said. “And I want to play every game. Sometimes it’s a problem because sometimes I feel tired, but I want to play and I want to give the maximum to the team and I want to play every game.
“I want to win here,” he said. “I know Toronto (for the past) five, six years, every year they go to the playoffs. They went to the Final, they won trophies. And this is what I want. I know with Seba (Sebastian Giovinco) in the past, they won and (he) gives something special to Toronto, and I want to give the same.”
Pozuelo, 29, leads the MLS with 10 assists to go along with his eight goals.