Training Camp update #5

By: nicholas | February 18th, 2008

Toronto FC continues to impress this Pre-season with another win in Bradenton; this time against US-under 17s. I know i know, not really the most prestigious of wins but hey “EVERY WIN COUNTS”. (There is a more complete report after the jump).

Training Camp player update

From what i am reading Kiki Musampa and Jaime Watson is in camp on trials. Jaime Watson being an ex Real Salt lake player and a nippy winger, but his achilles heal has always been his decision making, Hence my theory on why RSL didn’t resign him. ( or to play devils advocate, i guess he got tired to the SALT LAKE LIVING ). Lets just hope that he learned a few tricks in the off season. And then we have Kiki, well lets just say that i have had a love/ hate realationship with this man. HERE IS A REASON TO HATE HIM

AND HERE IS A REASON TO LOVE HIM

Its all up to you to decide on which you like better ………

The rumor of the week focuses on the imminent signing of Joao Pinto to Toronto fc. Joao Pinto is a 36 year old striker from Portugal, whom in my opinion was pretty damn good striker back in the day. He was apart of Portugal “Golden Generation” and was apart of Portugal’s 2002 world cup squad. The rumor also states that he is now in Miami and will be flying into Toronto tomorrow to sign the contract. ( MY only issue is that he is 36 years old, he would have been a great signing 2-3 years ago….but i digress )

i heart Huckerby seams to line of the day, it seams that our injury prone Huckerby is on his way to TORONTO to visit the club. Hey! May be he fall in love with T.O and sign on the spot. Personally i am not holding my breath but if healthy he would be a great signing for the MIGHTY REDS.

Toronto FC 3, U.S. U-17 national team 1

A day after notching their first victory of 2008, Kiki Musampa, Pat Phelan and Jamie Watson rallied Toronto FC from an early 1-0 deficit Sunday to down the U.S. U-17 national team, 3-1.

Fielding an entirely different lineup from the night before, TFC found themselves behind the eight-ball in the 12th minute when Scott Caldwell found the back of the net from just outside the penalty area to put the U.S. youngsters on top. It wasn’t long before the Reds mounted a comeback though. After Watson was taken down inside the box in the 23rd minute, Musampa stepped up to convert the ensuing penalty kick to knot the game at 1-1.

Toronto stepped up with consistent pressure in the second half, eventually breaking through in the 87th minute as Phelan headed a beautiful cross from midfielder Tyler Rosenlund past the U-17 ‘keeper. Just one minute later, Watson found himself on the receiving end of a great feed inside the box from Musampa, dribbling the ball past the ‘keeper to solidify the victory.

Toronto FC: Edwards, Attakora-Gyan, Boyens, Phelan, Zaher, Smith (Lombardo 72), Musampa, Rosenlund, Balc (Gala 46), Watson, Lombardo (Melo 46).