FC’S Achara may be out for some time
The news from Toronto FC pre-season camp is somewhat painful. At least concerning explosive attacker Ifunanyachi Achara.
Achara, 23, underwent surgery last year to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a lateral collateral ligament in his left knee, shortly after playing in his first game for the club. It was hoped that the native of Nigeria would be ready for the start of the 2021 MLS regular season. But that seems unlikely now. For sure, Achara will not be ready to play when the Reds face Forge FC in the Canadian Championship in March. According to coach Chris Armas, Achara “is out for a few more months” recovering from his injury. The MLS regular season is set to begin April 17.
Achara caused a sensation during last year’s pre-season camp in Irvine, Calif., with his outstanding play. And then in his first professional regular season match, on March 7 at BMO Field, he scored the only goal in Toronto’s 1-0 victory over New York City FC. He also scored a goal ruled offside on review and played an overall strong game in his debut for the Reds. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week.
Veteran defender Justin Morrow is with the team but not currently training. Morrow will need a few days — perhaps even weeks — to strengthen his calf as it has some weakness. Morrow’s contract expired at the end of the 2020 season but GM Ali Curtis said the 11-year MLS veteran will be back playing for the Reds.
TFC trained at BMO Field on Sunday though the Reds will not be playing regular season games at the stadium for the start of the 2021 season. TFC president Bill Manning said the club, because of Canadian quarantine rules, will play and train for at least the start of the regular season in Florida, though a specific spot has yet to be named. The Raptors are temporarily located in Tampa for the same reason. The TFC players were back at the BMO Training Ground on Monday.
NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE GURU
TFC has managed to get some personal — personnel — revenge on the L.A. Galaxy.
TFC announced Monday Pierre Barrieu was tapped as Director of High Performance. He was most recently the director of high performance with the Galaxy, which signed longtime TFC manager Greg Vanney to be its new head coach this season.