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While it has been easy to have been impressed with the on the pitch performances of 2011 Toronto FC rookies like Ashtone Morgan, Doneil Henry, Joao Plata and Matt Stinson, another positive has to be character and professionalism that these players have shown off the pitch and with the media during a gruelling and busy season that has just concluded. And with Toronto FC Head Coach Aron Winter having put such a premium on the importance of team leaders over the last several months, Stinson in particular has looked very much like a young player who could evolve into future leader for his hometown side. With his natural position being that of a holding central midfielder, the 19 year old TFC Academy Graduate has both had the opportunity to learn from and play with veteran central mids like Torsten Frings, Julian de Guzman and Terry Dunfield and, due to their presence on the roster, gained professional experience playing a number of different positions, including right back, forward and as a wide midfielder. According to Stinson, that combination has made for a great learning experience in his first year as a professional.
"I have actually had a couple of opportunities recently to play my natural position, which is centre mid in a holding role. I started against Philadelphia in that holding role to give some rest to Julian and Terry. But it definitely doesn't matter where I play on the field, I'm getting more confident with every game and it will translate into me using my leadership skills that I have," says Stinson.
With the veteran central midfielder expected to be back in 2012, Stinson will likely continue to play in different positions on the field next season, with right back looking like a position that could require more depth or even a starting player if Toronto cannot work out a deal to bring Manchester United product Richard Eckersly back next year. As a player who was the team captain when he was with the TFC Academy, the Toronto native is willing to play anywhere that he can help the team while at the same time developing his game and gaining experience at the professional level.
"(At right back) I'm just trying to take what Aron and Bob tell me to do and push up high and wide and get up into the attack, as well as coming back. Of course, every game I am getting more comfortable with the position and just being on the field and getting some starts under my belt has been important."
In terms of his comfort level with a Dutch style 4-3-3 system, Stinson is both confident and pragmatic concerning both his individual success at mastering Winter's tactical approach and he rationalizes that the team as a whole is still learning how to function at their highest capacity within it.
"It's not something that will happen overnight. European and Dutch teams are still trying to perfect it and teach their youth that. I think that I have a way better understanding of it than I did at the beginning of the year. I think everybody has bought into the system finally and it's showing out on the field. We're getting some goals, we're having possession in the opposition half and we're pressuring their fullbacks. It's definitely sure that throughout the season we have all gotten used to the system, but there is still a ways to go."
When asked to assess whether or not Toronto FC is finally on track to becoming a top team in the MLS, Stinson believes that people should look at the way the team started 2011 rather than focusing on how the team struggled at the beginning of the year.
"I think we had a really strong last two months and we did something that we have never done before, which is make it to the knockout stage of the CONCACAF Champions League. I feel like the fans support us and will next year ever more-so."
In terms of the impact that Toronto's success has had in CONCACAF's premier club competition, Stinson sees the opportunity to play in the Knockout stage as something that could buoy TFC towards a good start in 2012 and as a continuation of the great opportunity that it has already provided for the team's young players to get experience in high pressure matches against quality clubs in often difficult away environments.
"It's huge. Especially in the motivation that it provides me and the team to get back and be ready for preseason. We have something important to work towards and hopefully it will motivate us and push us towards getting off to a good start in the league as well. It's a good thing for me and the rest of the youth on the team."
With the outlook for Toronto FC and Stinson looking positive going forward, the 19 year old player - forward, midfielder, defender - is looking at the immediate present as a vital time to recuperate and refresh himself following a gruelling first season as a pro and ahead a second year with Toronto in which expects the team to continue to play a lot of games and build on the momentum the team has recently built up.
"I'm going to take some time off. I haven't really talked to the coaches about how much time. But it has been very busy schedule. I'm sure we'll get some time off for the next little while and then I'll be back in the gym with with Nick our trainer a couple of times a week, just to keep fit and sharp and to get stronger."
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