It’s a busy week ahead for Toronto FC, with a tough road game against the New England Revolution on Saturday, and the added distraction of Wednesday’s All Star Game in Denver.
Here are some news and notes from TFC’s training session on Tuesday….
Seba off to Denver; Bradley staying
Both Sebastian Giovinco and Michael Bradley were selected to play in Wednesday’s MLS All Star Game against English Premier League side Tottenham.
But Bradley picked up a calf injury this month while he was on international duty for the United States at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. TFC coach Greg Vanney confirmed his captain won’t play in the All Star Game.
“Michael is staying. He suffered a calf (injury). I don’t know exactly if it’s a contusion (or a tear). He’s going to have a scan this afternoon. We’re hoping that it’s a contusion. He’s having some discomfort in the calf and some swelling in there,” Vanney revealed.
Bradley didn’t practice with TFC on Tuesday, and is questionable for this weekend’s match against New England.
“We really have to see how the scan comes out today,” Vanney said.
He added later: “We don’t want him on a plane travelling back and forth. That never really helps the situation.”
Giovinco has been dealing with a heel injury, and was subbed out late during Toronto’s 3-3 draw away to the Columbus Crew on the weekend. Vanney confirmed that the Italian, who ranks second in league scoring with 13 goals, will travel to Denver but it remains to be seen if he’ll play in the All Star Game.
“Sebastian is going to go and he’ll be evaluated when he gets there by the medial team that’s there,” Vanney said.
One wonders why TFC is letting Giovinco fly to Denver if there’s even a doubt over his fitness to play in the All Star Game? Could it be that Toronto was pressured into this by MLS?
Forward Jozy Altidore is flying to Denver, and it’s believed he’ll play in the All Star Game if Giovinco is ruled out. TFC declined when asked to comment by Sportsnet.
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Does All-Star Game have value?
The Giovinco situation raises an important question: Is there value in MLS even having an All Star Game?
Vanney has mixed emotions about it, especially because it comes during a busy juncture in the regular season, and right after the completion of the Gold Cup where many MLS players were involved.
“There’s value for the league in the All Star Game. I don’t know if there’s value for the players,” Vanney admitted.
“The timing is difficult for everybody across the league but it’s an important event for the league and the sponsors. It’s another North American past-time to have an All Star Game so all of that is understood. It’s just a gruelling time period for all the players.”
Vanney captained the 2005 MLS All Star team as a member of FC Dallas. The MLS side defeated English club Fulham 4-1. Vanney was also named to the 2006 team, but didn’t play due to injury.
Kantari the new kid on the block
Signed by the club last Friday, French-born Moroccan international Ahmed Kantari could make his TFC debut this weekend in New England.
Kantari, 30, has played his entire pro career in France and has spent time at such clubs as Paris Saint-Germain, Strasbourg and Brest. Most recently, he’s played for Lens since 2013.
“I spent all my career in France, 10 years as a professional. I wanted to see something else. I wanted to travel and to know (what they do) outside of France. It’s a new experience and I want to see everything, and to enjoy the experience,” Kantari stated.
The expectation is that he will partner with fellow Frenchman Damien Perquis in the centre of Toronto’s defence.
Vanney said TFC management had been tracking Kantari all this year, and called the Moroccan international “a very intelligent defender” who is “very comfortable with the ball on his left foot.”
“He’s a left-footed, left centre-back. Lots of experience. … Knows the game very well. Reads the game well. He’s been the captain of many of his (past teams),” Vanney said.
A handsome and stylish young man, Kantari is in Toronto with his wife and five-month old son, and he speaks French, Spanish and English.
Injury update
Left fullback Ashtone Morgan (abductor strain) is questionable for Saturday’s game against New England. He sat out last weekend’s game after picking up the injury in the team’s friendly against Sunderland.
“He’s working his way back. He didn’t train with us today but he’s feeling much better. I don’t know his program for the week, but I would say he’s questionable for the weekend,” Vanney admitted.
Midfielder Collen Warner is suspended for the match due to yellow card accumulation. Rookie defender Clement Simonin (knee) is still out.
Bradley, as mentioned earlier, is questionable.
If Giovinco isn’t cleared to play in the All Star Game, look for TFC to rest him against New England—especially as the Revs play on an artificial surface.
Vanney: ‘Drogba great for MLS’
Kantari isn’t the only player who spent time in France’s top division to come to MLS in recent days, as the Montreal Impact announced the signing of Didier Drogba on Monday.
Before he shot to worldwide fame with Chelsea, the Ivorian forward cut his teeth in Ligue 1 with Le Mans, Guingamp and Olympique Marseille. Vanney spent time in France with Bastia from 2002 to 2005, and crossed paths with Drogba. Even thought the Ivorian is 37, Vanney still considers him a “class forward” and who can “bring different aspects” to the Impact.
“I’ve seen what he can do against centre backs. I wasn’t one of them, but I witnessed it (from the bench) when I was at Bastia,” Vanney recalled.
“I saw firsthand that he can physically dominate centre backs and do a lot of things in terms of holding things up, bringing people in. He can do things on his own, he can get in behind (defences).”
