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Following the tradition started with GoTFC
“On the ninth day of Christmas, Bell + Rogers gave to me…”
Toronto FC Academy Ready to Provide an Offensive Spark
Our ninth day of Christmas brings us to the TFC Academy. It’s about time Toronto FC landed a young, on-fire Canadian striker to call their own. For the sake of the identity of the club, Toronto FC needs to find a forward from within the academy itself and make a hero out of the hometown footballer.
Dwayne De Rosario once held the position of the Canadian local superstar during his time at Toronto FC. Playing in DC, however, has made his Canadian accessibility a bit limited. Luckily, growing within the ranks at Toronto FC exists a few names that could make an impact in Canada.
Toronto FC has the advantage here, with an academy system aging to the point where it now bares fruit. Vancouver Whitecaps Residency is still a few years off, and Montreal is in its infancy in MLS.
There are two names that come to mind immediately, who have shown enough potential to jump ahead of the likes of fellow graduates Oscar Cordon, Doneil Henry and Keith Makubuya and take centre-stage at the club.
The stars are aligning perfectly for the return of Nicholas Lindsay and the graduation of one CSL starlet, Stefan Vukovic.
In the 2009/2010 campaign, Nicholas Lindsay showed Toronto FC supporters exactly why he was called up to the full squad. Demonstrating both pace and offensive prowess, Lindsay was the winger Toronto FC never had. It was a unique, never before seen sight, when Lindsay opted to take on his defensive marker, rather than avoid him and pass the ball off.
A serious knee injury from a snowmobiling accident ended Lindsay’s 2011 campaign before it even began, but all the signs of promise still remain. Should he be ready for the 2012 season, Lindsay would be a valuable player for Toronto FC, especially playing as a right-winger in the 4-3-3 system the Reds employ. If Lindsay can perform well, coming off a serious injury, then the chance is his for the taking.
Stefan Vukovic is a player that has been cooking for far too long in the lower divisions of the league. The time has come for Vukovic to graduate into the full team and learn from Danny Koevermans first hand. An impressive 18-goal season in the CSL says it all, really – Vukovic is ready for the big leagues.
Between Lindsay and Vukovic, Toronto’s offensive future looks right on track. Toronto FC need a Canadian forward to rally around once again, and the pair of TFC Academy prospects may just be the answer.
Toronto FC academy graduates, such as Ashtone Morgan and Matt Stinson, grabbed headlines in 2011, making their presence known with solid performances that earned the two regular places in the Toronto FC match day rosters.
They have also received international calls from Stephan Hart and the Canadian Men’s National team, Morgan impressing on his debut game; it’s worth mentioning that Morgan also picked up the Canadian U-20 Player of the Year Award.
With the academy players making their cases heard on a club and international level, Vukovic and Lindsay have a great opportunity in front of them.
Positive publicity aside, Toronto FC’s management have shown a desire to see young Canadian talent flourish. Aron Winter has introduced academy players into the defense and the midfield, but has chosen to rely more on international players and MLS regulars on the offense.
With the Dutch dream being realized in Danny Koevermans, mixed with the Latin flare of Joao Plata and the consistency from MLS mainstays like Eric Avila and Ryan Johnson, Toronto’s offense hasn’t given a chance yet for an academy infusion.
This is not a disturbing trend, however – forwards have traditionally taken longer to develop than their defensive-minded counterparts. The pressure to perform on an offensive player is much greater than a midfielder who can afford to make little mistakes.
Though it took Toronto FC a couple extra years, 2012 may be the year the Reds finally gets some much-anticipated Canadian offense from the TFC Academy. A real, Canadian number 9? Make it happen!
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