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Posted by
Steve Bottjer,
October 28, 2012 |
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Email Steve Bottjer
Twitter @BottjerRNO |
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While Toronto FC’s final CONCACAF Champions League match of 2012 last Tuesday did not end up being the “Miracle in Mexico” that Reds supporters had been hoping for, it did end being a very notable match for one TFC player in particular.
After essentially missing two seasons due to a serious knee injury, 20 year old forward and TFC Academy graduate Nicholas Lindsay made his first appearance with the Toronto FC senior team since the end of the 2010 MLS season.
Given that, even with Toronto losing 1-0 to Santos Laguna in Torreon, Mexico, Lindsay is not shy in admitting that the game was a very positive one for him as an individual player who had endured a long road back to active duty with TFC.
“It was an amazing feeling. It’s been a long journey and I have learned a lot about myself mentally and physically. It is so good to be back 100% and playing for the team I love,” said Lindsay from Toronto’s facility at Downsview Park in Toronto on Friday. “I love this club. It is my home city and there is nothing better than playing for this team.”
Asked if at any point over the last two years he had ever considered the possibility that he might not be able to come back from an injury that has ended a number of promising careers in many sports, Lindsay was adamant that his only focus was on getting back to the point that he could again pull on a TFC jersey and work to build on all the promise that he had displayed as an up and coming talent back in 2010.
“That never came to my mind. Soccer is something that I have grown up with and that I have played for such a long time. It’s in my blood and nothing was going to hold me back from getting to where I need to get to,” said Lindsay.
“When you can’t do something that you really love and that you have done for a long time, it really gets to you. At the same time, it is something that you can cope with when you have family, friends and teammates and the organization behind you and supporting you, as well having God’s grace. It was something that I was able to take in stride and embrace and learn from.”
Lindsay was the second ever player from the TFC Academy to sign a professional contract with the Reds and back in the fall of 2010 he was considered by many to be one of the most promising young prospects in the organization along with fellow academy graduates Doneil Henry and Ashtone Morgan.
With both Henry and Morgan now having earned caps with the Canadian Men’s National Team and having established themselves as important players for the senior Toronto FC team, Lindsay also expressed that while it was sometimes hard to be unable to compete and play while his friends and teammates were solidifying their careers and delivering breakthrough performances, he is happy to have been able to witness their achievements and he is now looking forward with intent as he aims to repeat their success and fulfill his own potential as a talented young player.
“It was definitely hard, but at the same time I’m definitely so happy for them. Doneil and Ashtone are close friends of mine. It’s great to see everything that they have been doing and it is a blessing to have played with them in the TFC Academy and then to have the chance to see them grow up and mature and develop as young professionals. It’s amazing,” stated Lindsay.
“I always like to look forward. Things have happened and I just want to turn a page and begin a new chapter in my professional career and get things going with the first team.”
According to Lindsay, his substitute appearance against Santos was also just a touch bittersweet given the fact that the match was also Toronto’s second last of 2012. Not surprisingly, the Toronto native is already raring to go for the 2013 campaign.
“I can’t wait (for next season). I’m already itching for next year. As we finish off this year, there is so much that I want to show and that I want to give for this club. Just play hard, work hard and help getting us going back up to where we need to be – making the Playoffs, winning trophies – and just giving everything I have to the team.”
While nothing is ever certain in professional football, one thing that looks to be certain is the fact that Paul Mariner and the TFC brass will be looking for players who can earn a spot in the lineup next year and who will help the team improve after a 2012 campaign in which the Reds had won only five teams heading into their final match. In that sense, Lindsay’s return to full fitness could not have come at a better time, as it appears that the 20 year wide forward will have every opportunity to stake his claim to a spot and minutes with a retooling and rebuilding club next season.
“Every day in training sessions and scrimmages, there is always room for improvement and it is always a fight for a position. Everyone wants to play. I’m hungry and I’m patient. Whatever the coach asks me to do, I’m going to do 100% and more. There is so much inside of me that wants to give and get out. I can’t wait and I’m so excited.”
And while he is certainly primarily focused on resuming his professional career with Toronto, Lindsay was also open in admitting that one of his other goals is to work his way into the Canadian national team picture as well.
“That would be an honour. It’s something that I have always been thinking about. Everything does seem to be falling into place wonderfully, so I can’t wait. I have played for the U-20s and playing for the Men’s Team is something that I really want to achieve.”
Ultimately, after a couple of very tough years, the future looks bright for Nicholas Lindsay. At the ripe old age of 20 years old, he knows that he can’t take anything for granted with his professional career. At the same time, he is thankful for the second chance that he now has and he is fully primed to put in all of the work he needs to in order to make good on his second chance, to pay back those that have supported him and to fulfill his immense potential as a player.
“I’ll be training every day even once this season has finished up. I’m going to be working hard on improving every aspect of my technical abilities and working on everything that I need to in order to prepare myself to be ready for January 15th. I’ll definitely be here (at the Downsview Training Facility) at every opportunity.”
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