TORONTO — In soccer, cause can sometimes have a powerful and unpredictable effect.
Such was the case during Toronto’s home opener against the Portland Timbers. Just 24 hours before kickoff, TFC recalled 20-year-old Ashtone Morgan (above) and teammate Doneil Henry (below) from returning to the Canadian U-20 national team, which was in Guatemala for the CONCACAF Championship.
[inline_node:333221]Henry eventually returned to the U-20s, but TFC held onto Morgan for an extra week. Canada were eventually defeated 3-0 by Mexico in the quarterfinals and will miss this summer's U-20 World Cup.
The result was that TFC were widely criticized in Canada for the move, with many fans of the national team suggesting the Reds were putting their interests above that of Canadian soccer as a whole.
As someone who once worked for the Canadian Soccer Association, TFC director of team and player operations Earl Cochrane said he understands those frustrations. However, he said they are misguided.
“We were in a difficult spot,” Cochrane said of the decision to retain Morgan. When [the red card] happened, we had literally no cover at left back. We had to make sure we were able to field a competitive team.”
Cochrane dismissed claims that TFC have a rocky relationship with the national team and said that he has weekly contact with Canadian head coach Stephen Hart and the coaches of the Canadian youth programs.
Toronto FC even go so far as to “highly encourage” their academy players with dual citizenship options to play for Canada.
Everyone at the club is cognizant of the need for TFC to promote and develop the game in Canada, and Cochrane said there is a concrete example of that commitment – the TFC Academy.
“The players that we have been pushing through our academy [show our commitment],” he said. “One of the most important things that we’ve done is in lock in the [$17.6 million] investment in the academy.”
There are currently four Reds on the senior roster that were developed through the academy. A fifth player – Nana Attakora – pre-dates the academy, but he was a local talent that was part of the development roster in 2007.
Cochrane admitted that there will be future club-vs.-country conflicts, but maintained that TFC are committed to finding the right balance to meet everyone’s needs.
“We have a dual purpose,” he said. “We have a responsibility to see the game flourish in Canada, but at the same time we have the responsibility to our fans to make sure that we are as competitive as possible.”
