Winning never gets old, but ...
Reds must find a way to let young talent play around veteran core
The average age of Toronto FC’s starting 11 for last Sunday’s MLS Cup final was 28.4, and the stability of that group will make it tricky to find playing time for young prospects next season.
“It’s important for us to make sure these guys get the adequate playing time and the opportunities with the first team … If it’s not with the first team, with TFC II or with some loans abroad,” TFC president Bill Manning said this week. “We do have a lot of talent coming up, but at the end of the day we’re not going to sacrifice winning games at the first-team level to get players minutes.” Toronto-born midfielder Liam Fraser could be squeezed out. The 21-year-old Fraser impressed in nine games, regular season and playoffs, but is behind captain Michael Bradley on the depth chart. With Bradley likely to re-sign in the coming weeks and coach Greg Vanney’s preference for a formation with just one deep midfielder, the opportunities could be limited for Fraser again next year. Vanney and Fraser have talked about a possible loan.
The midfielder made strides this year, but the coach wants to see him play a full season in a competitive environment and learn how to run his position tactically.
“He’s a young player that we want here, but the question is also about his path to becoming the best player he can be, and I think we have to respect both of those things,” Vanney said.
Gallardo’s rise: Erickson Gallardo, 23, is likely to get more looks next season. Vanney calls the Venezuelan winger dynamic, powerful and fast — something TFC lacked on the flanks at times this year. The transition to life in Canada after he signed in July, the birth of his first child and an injury contributed to a slow start for Gallardo, who played just five games, but Vanney and general manager Ali Curtis say they have high hopes for his sophomore year. “(Gallardo) is a guy … who I think will be an even stronger and more impactful player next season,” the GM said.
Benezet watch: Vanney hopes TFC can keep “excellent” French winger Nicolas Benezet, who made 12 starts — including all four playoff games — after a mid-season loan from French Ligue 2 Guingamp. Benezet’s salary was $600,000 (U.S.)
Fan experience: TFC’s seasonticket renewal rate at BMO Field sat at about 85 per cent mid-week. Manning expects that number to climb into the low 90s, similar to the rate after they lost the 2016 MLS Cup final. The Reds also announced plans to remove the temporary stands in the north end next season in favour of a gathering area, similar to the West Jet Flight Deck at the Rogers Centre. Manning added the club will also have a safe standing area in the south-end supporters’ section for the 2021 season.
Coaches corner: TFC’s coaching staff is expected to remain the same for the most part, according to Vanney. One of the only question marks is former player Jason Hernandez, who started the season as manager of player engagement in the front office before moving to coaching in late August following the departure of longtime assistant Robin Fraser to the Colorado Rapids. Vanney said Hernandez’s ambition wasn’t initally to become a coach, but that he stepped up and impressed. TFC will also consider adding to the group.