Keeping them in games
Gavran has been making his mark in Toronto’s net with Johnson sidelined
As the positive vibes circulate around Toronto FC early this season, you could forgive those in the thankless scouting ranks if they joined in the club’s new sideline love-in goal celebrations during a 2-0 win over Atlanta United last Saturday.
Not only did this year’s first-round MLS SuperDraft pick Tyrese Spicer score his first goal for Toronto, but Luka Gavran, an unheralded pick at No. 31 in 2022, picked up another win and another clean sheet in what has been a remarkable rise up the TFC goalkeeper pecking order.
Gavran, a Hamilton native, understands the nature of being a goalkeeper means luck will play a role and when opportunity knocks, you had better be ready to open that door. In his case, it came in the form of two injuries to star goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
“Injuries really do suck,” Gavran said. “But, you know, Sean gets hurt last year and it gives an opportunity for me to show what I can bring. And that’s how you go, this business is week by week … anything can happen. So I always have to be ready.”
After earning the gloves at TFC 2, Gavran was given a chance with the MLS club late last season when Johnson and backup Greg Ranjitsingh were both hurt at the same time.
At that point in the season, the club was crumbling and, after two matches backing up Thomas Romero, Gavran was given his first start. Despite conceding 12 goals in four matches prior to Johnson’s return, he received many plaudits for his play.
Now, Gavran is holding down the fort until Johnson’s imminent return from another injury, this time to his hamstring. The 23-year-old has three wins in four matches with two clean sheets but knows that the No. 1 job is only fleeting, with a return to backup duty coming as early as this weekend.
He rose to the occasion and, to everyone’s surprise, so has the rest of the squad so far this season. The “culture shift” and “brotherhood” that are the favourite new terms for this club seem to be more than just managerial jargon.
“It’s weird, we have a lot of the same players from last year, but to see the guys really in a new environment, in a new atmosphere in the club, like it really shows that people can really feel and forget about the past and really reset in a new environment. Everyone has a different mindset.” Gavran said.
“And, of course, John (Herdman) has helped out a lot and everyone’s just on the same page. Before, we would always struggle with adversity. This year is completely different and we know we’re going to get results.”
That mindset will be put to the test with Friday’s announcement that Lorenzo Insigne is expected to be out at least six weeks with a hamstring injury.
The rise of the young keeper has been impressive, especially as a second-round draft pick. TFC has had success drafting goalies in the past, with Stefan Frei and the MLS Cupwinning Alex Bono both being homegrown draft picks, albeit high in the first round.
In a strange way, earning his stripes during TFC’s last season may have aided Gavran’s succession to top-flight football.
“I know we were struggling but it kind of made me feel at ease knowing that there wasn’t really a high expectation for me to do anything or, you know, for us to get results,” Gavran said.
“Obviously we wanted to get results, but just knowing that I was free to just go in there and play, it really was my time to show what I can bring to the team. It was kind of relieving.”
Having a mentor doesn’t hurt either. When Johnson was signed by then GM/head coach Bob Bradley prior to last season, it was partly for his ability and partly for the leadership he brings. It’s not lost on Gavran.
“Me and Sean, since last year when I signed, right away, we got close. I was just always talking about his past games, his experiences with other teams in big games, we always talk about it,” Gavran said. “So in training, if my distribution’s bad, he’ll get at me, you know, it’s fine.
“He keeps me in check and he helps me a lot. So I appreciate it.”