DELGADO SCORES
Toronto FC midfield sensation Marky Delgado isn’t your average 21-year-old soccer player and the playoff-bound club will pay extra to find out what the future holds,
With nearly 100 Major League Soccer appearances under his belt, Marky Delgado is already a veteran.
So it’s easy to forget the Toronto FC midfielder is just 21 years old.
It even slips Greg Vanney’s mind from time to time, even though the coach has known Delgado since their days at the Chivas USA youth academy before the American signed an “MLS Homegrown” contract in 2012.
“It seems like he’s been here a while. He’s been a pro since he was16, so his best years are still very much in front of him,” Vanney said Wednesday.
It’s that valuable league experience, coupled with his young age, which prompted the Reds to re-sign Delgado to a multi-year contract this week. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Delgado made $102,500 (U.S.) last season, according to figures released by MLS’s Players Union.
“Marky has earned this extension through his consistent production and has developed into a key contributor over the past two seasons for our club,” general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in a statement.
“He has been a reliable part of our roster and our coaching staff is pleased with his development and potential as a young player within our league.”
Delgado, who has played in 28 league games this season with 23 starts, is feeling good about himself as the ink dries on his new deal.
The midfielder said he believes becoming more consistent is key to a player’s game as one grows older. He’s glad people around the club, like Bezbatchenko and Vanney, are see- ing that in him.
“Having (Michael Bradley) and Jozy (Altidore) and (Sebastian Giovinco) and all the star players around me, it has really helped me develop as a player, on the field, mentally wise and physically,” Delgado said.
“I really feel I’ve improved in a lot of ways, being around them.”
And on those days he’s not feeling quite so good about himself, like when he doesn’t get a start, Delgado knows Vanney has his back.
“He’s been there for me,” Delgado said. “I’ve had times throughout the season I’ve felt like that. He took me to the side and he had a deep conversation with me and it’s really helpful.”
The feeling is mutual for Vanney, who touts Delgado as a reliable player in more ways than one. He can play as both an attacking and holding midfielder and is always up for whatever the coaches ask of him.
“He’s always doing the work that we put in front of him. Those are the types of guys that we want around,” Vanney said.
Players such as Delgado are crucial to the success of Toronto FC, which would be heavily reliant on its three designated players if it wasn’t for talented utility players like the midfielder.
And Vanney has high hopes for Delgado in the future.
“He’ll keep maturing as a player and I would prefer that to be with us rather than anywhere else.”