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Posted by
Steve Bottjer,
April 12, 2013 |
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Email Steve Bottjer
Twitter @BottjerRNO |
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It didn’t take long for striker Justin Braun to make an impact with Toronto FC. The 26 year old veteran MLS forward scored the first goal in Toronto’s dramatic comeback against FC Dallas last weekend after coming on as a second half substitute to make his TFC debut.
In addition to energizing the Reds attack after coming on for John Bostock in the 73rd minute, most importantly, Braun also showed no ill effects from the concussion that had kept out of the Toronto lineup since the preseason.
Now with a clean bill of health and a goal under his belt, Braun is aiming to do whatever it takes to become a contributor with his new squad.
“It is always tough when you are injured in preseason, especially with a concussion because you can’t do too much. I’m just trying to work my way back to fitness, and when I get my chances on the field, to do whatever I can to help this team win,” Braun told RedNation on Thursday. “I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to be on that field.”
Asked to describe the concussion systems that delayed his Toronto debut, the Salt Lake City, Utah native admitted it was hard to not be able to practice or train while he recovered from the injury.
“Basically, you are not supposed to do much until you are symptom free. I just felt a little off and a little nausea here and there. Obviously, now the symptoms can be pretty intense and you have to do a lot of psychological testing. But I’m feeling good now and I’m ready to go,” Braun said.
In many ways Toronto FC represents a new start for Braun after a 2012 campaign in which he did not score in 14 appearances while playing for both the Montreal Impact and Real Salt Lake.
“Last year was a little hit and miss, but it was only one year in a career. I know what I am capable of and I think the people here know what I am capable of. That’s why they brought me here,” Braun said. “I’m looking forward to going out there and hopefully producing and making this a winning team and giving the fans what they deserve.”
With the first goal monkey now off his back for Toronto, Braun admitted his hope that his performance against Dallas will be one that sets the tone for his entire season.
“It was definitely a relief (to score against Dallas). It has been a while. As a forward you want to see the ball hit the back of the net. Hopefully that can kind of get things rolling and get me back on track to where I know I am capable of being. I’m looking forward to taking my opportunities on the field and hopefully continuing to score.
As a big traditional center forward, the 6 foot 3 target man showed against Dallas that he is capable of giving the Toronto a different look and that he provides Toronto FC Head Coach Ryan Nelsen with tactical flexibility in terms of how deploys his attacking formation, especially as the combination of Robert Earnshaw and Braun up top was a pairing that really spurred TFC’s comeback draw against Dallas last week.
As for Braun, he was quick to admit that he would welcome more opportunities to play with Earnshaw up top.
“Obviously, Robert is a world class player. He has played in some of the best leagues in the world. It is cool to play with someone like that. They are easy to play with. They make their runs and they will play you the ball when it needs to be played,” Braun said. “We’re just looking to build. It’s been going well on the training field and hopefully that will translate to playing well in games.”
While much has already been made about the inherent benefits that young TFC defenders like Ashtone Morgan, Gale Agbossoumonde and Doneil Henry should be able to realize playing under a Head Coach who was excelling as a defender in the English Premier League just several months ago, Braun also sees his new head coach as someone he can learn a lot from.
“(Ryan) has been great. He has been awesome to play for. He is one of those coaches that you want to go out there and win games for. He puts so much into preparing us throughout the week that you want to go out there and reward him on the weekend. He also has all that experience and he is the type of coach you can learn a lot from,” Braun said.
“Ryan knows what makes it hard on defenders. He will give us (forwards) pointers here and there in training. You try and take those and incorporate them into your game and I’m trying to do that."
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