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When Ashtone Morgan first signed for Toronto FC in 2011, he was heralded as Canada’s next young star.
Now, with three seasons of MLS football under his belt, Morgan has established himself as a key contributor for both club and for country. Known for his ability to cross the ball into the box and for his tenacity in the backline, Morgan continues to impress in a league where left fullbacks are often overlooked.
RedNation Online caught up with Morgan at the end of the season, and reflected on a year that was for Toronto FC and for himself, personally.
“It was kind of a slow year for myself and a slow year in the season,” said Morgan, looking back at the 2013 season.
In a year of several highs and lows, we asked Morgan which moment stands out the most in his mind at season’s end.
“When I started to find my form again, later on in the season,” said Morgan. “I found my form and started to feel like myself, started producing and playing my football.”
While Morgan didn’t get as many games this season as he did last – playing 22 games in 2013 to 30 last year – he still managed to establish himself as the club’s starting option at left fullback. The signing of Jonas Elmer pushed Morgan to up his game.
“I wanted to work on my defensive game this year and I started thinking, ‘defend first, attack second,’ and yeah, just try to change my mentality and try to master every part of my game,” said Morgan, when asked if he met his personal development goals this season.
Morgan recorded one assist and played 1805 minutes this season.
Next year, Morgan looks set to continue to play at left fullback in a back four that has improved tenfold since the start of the year. He, alongside his fellow Canadian defender, Doneil Henry, have been joined by Steven Caldwell and Mark Bloom, and have found consistency in defence.
They’re not the only additions worth noting, though. For a while, Morgan and Henry were seen as Toronto FC’s best Canadian options, but with the introduction of Jonathan Osorio and Kyle Bekker, Morgan has plenty of new, Canadian talent to play alongside.
“Yeah, it’s exciting man, because we’re trying to push Canadian football in the country, and we’re only going to get better,” said Morgan, regarding his fellow Canadian footballers. “As you can see, the product that’s coming up now, it’s good. We’re doing good.”
Looking to the next season, Toronto FC looks set to make numerous changes once more. When asked what he believed is the most important factor for success in 2014, Morgan said the team “trying to keep a good core of guys from this year and carrying it on to the next season,” was key. He also looks forward to the potential of a playoff spot for next season.
With Vancouver having qualified for the 2012 post season and Montreal staying in playoff contention in 2013, is it a case of “Toronto FC’s turn” next season?
“100 per cent,” said Morgan, when asked if Toronto FC is focusing on playoffs next year. “I felt that [we should have] this season, and I think we’ll be looking forward to next season just to get it going, and show Canada, and especially Toronto, what we can do – make the playoffs.”
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