|
|
While Toronto FC were ultimately unable to come away with any points against Real Salt Lake last weekend, there were likely still a number of positives that the TFC coaching staff could take away from the manner in which an undermanned Reds squad performed at Rio Tinto Stadium.
One of those positives ultimately came in the form of a fine performance by left back Ashtone Morgan.
With fellow left back Justin Morrow emerging as arguably Toronto’s most consistently good player last season, the 24 year old Toronto native is coming off a 2014 campaign in which his playing opportunities were very limited, especially given the fact that TFC opted out of the MLS Reserve League.
However, with Morrow suspended for last weekend’s match, Morgan got his first start of 2015 and delivered an excellent performance in which he was one of the best players on the pitch.
According to Morgan, the opportunity to get minutes with Toronto’s newly established USL team is something that had him well placed to perform well against Real Salt Lake.
“I felt it was a decent performance from our team (on Sunday),” Morgan told RedNation. “We should have come away with three points or at least a point. As for my performance, I was well prepared, especially coming off of the game played with the USL team. I got some minutes there and got my feet. Then I was able to settle in early against Salt Lake.”
“That’s the professional environment,” Morgan added. “Everybody wants to play. So if you are not playing, you need to find ways to play in order to stay fit and build your game fitness. TFC II is a great opportunity for players in general to have that opportunity, so if they don’t get minutes right away, they have other options to play.”
In addition to having some match fitness when he received the call, Morgan also admitted that he believes his game does translate quite well to the tactics of Toronto FC Head Coach Greg Vanney, who likes his fullbacks to get further forward than his predecessor Ryan Nelsen did.
“Greg loves for his fullbacks to get forward and join the attack, connect with the strikers and the midfielders and be energetic in the final third,” the Toronto native said. “That’s great for me and a lot of the fullbacks on our squad because a lot of us like to get forward and be part of the attack as well as defending.”
At the still young age of 24 years old, Vanney is now the fourth Head Coach that Morgan has played for in his four plus years with Toronto FC. Asked about the consequences of that turnover on him as a young player, the TFC Academy graduate offered a measured and mature reply.
“Obviously, every player loves consistency,” Morgan stated. “That’s a big thing. However, (coaching changes) are the nature of the business sometimes.”
Having seen and experienced so much already in his time with Toronto FC, the Canadian International is now essentially the elder statesman among the Canadian players on Toronto’s roster.
While he chuckled a bit at the suggestion of being an elder statesman, Morgan did admit that he is more than happy to play a mentor role for some of the young Canadians on both the TFC and TFC II rosters.
“I’m definitely a guy in the changing room that is there for the young Canadian guys on TFC and even the guys on TFC II,” Morgan stated. “I’ve been here for five years now and I’ve been through a lot. I have been in their positions before, so whenever they need me, I’m there. I always talk to those guys and stay in touch over the phone or via texting.”
As for his own ongoing development as a young defender, the 2011 Canadian U-20 Players of the Year admitted he is 100% focused on putting in his work every day and taking his opportunities when they are presented.
“I’m trying to be as consistent as I can be (in training and in games),“ Morgan explained. “When I get my time to play, I have to seize the moment. I’m staying positive and continuing to focus on getting better. It’s all about being a professional day in, day out.”
|