TORONTO — With young Designated Player Matias Laba already out long-term, Toronto FC have received a boost on the injury front ahead of a rare Friday evening fixture against the New England Revolution (7 pm ET, watch on MLS Live).
After having to leave last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with D.C. United during the first half due to an ankle injury, 21-year-old midfielder Jonathan Osorio appears to have responded well to treatment and to have benefited from a couple days off from full training.
“Jonathan Osorio is fit and ready to go,” TFC Head Coach Ryan Nelsen told MLSsoccer.com on Thursday. “Besides Matias Laba and Danny Koevermans, we are a very healthy team, which is nice for competition in the squad.”
When asked about his fitness, Osorio was quick to admit that while the injury was not a particularly big deal, it was somewhat unlucky.
“It was just a little injury that had me out for a couple of days,” Osorio said. “It was nothing serious. Unfortunately, it happened the day before the D.C. United game in practice. I tried my best to heal it before the game and it was feeling good in the warm-up, but unfortunately it got sore during the game and the coaches took me out because I wasn’t 100%.”
“I have recuperated this week and I feel really good,” Osorio added. “I have been in full training and I’m ready to go.”
After winning a spot on Toronto’s roster in preseason, the Canadian international has quickly become one of TFC’s most important and influential players. With five goals scored, the TFC Academy graduate currently sits second in team scoring behind veteran striker Robert Earnshaw.
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With the success that he has enjoyed to date making him a key part of Toronto’s young core going forward, the MLS Rookie of the Year candidate is now focused on ending the season strong while playing as much as possible.
“We are looking to finish the season strong and are looking at the remaining games as a nine game season,” Osorio said. “We want to build momentum and start next year’s preseason knowing that we can do really well in this league.”
“Personally, I want to play in every game and get as many minutes as I can while playing as many 90 minute games as possible,” Osorio added. “I want to help the team to win. My personal goals are the same as the team’s goals, which is to win as many games as we can, so we will have that momentum going into next season.”
