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CTV News
17 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Defender Zane Monlouis the latest to join Toronto FC's growing injury list
Toronto FC defender Zane Monlouis (12) looks for an open teammate during the first half of an MLS soccer match against FC Cincinnati, Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson) TORONTO — The hurt continues for Toronto FC, with defender Zane Monlouis the latest player to be sidelined. The former England youth international, who left the Arsenal under-23 side to sign with TFC in February, fell awkwardly while trying to make a tackle in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with the visiting New York Red Bulls. He fell to the ground, clutching his groin area, and had to be helped off the field. 'It's going to be a long-term injury again,' Toronto coach Robin Fraser said after training Friday. 'Something in the hip, groin area. And these sort of things, they seem to take quite a while. 'With regards to injuries, if we didn't have bad luck, we'd have no luck, it seems like.' Toronto (3-10-5) was missing eight players mid-week, six injured and two on international duty, prompting Fraser to deploy the 21-year-old Monlouis, primarily a centre back, at right back. The injured were defenders Kobe Franklin, Nicksoen Gomis and Henry Wingo, midfielders Jonathan Osorio and Markus Cimermancic, and winger Federico Bernardeschi. Fullback/wingback Richie Laryea and midfielder Deybi Flores are with Canada and Honduras, respectively, at the Gold Cup. Gomis is gone for the season after surgery to repair his Achilles tendon, while Wingo was seen on crutches this week. 'It'll be a couple of months, I think,' Fraser said when asked about Wingo's possible return. Bernardeschi, meanwhile, is suffering from a 'lingering' lower-body injury. Fraser did not seem hopeful that any of the walking wounded might be back for Saturday's visit by the Portland Timbers. 'It does feel like a MASH unit at times. We've had incredibly bad luck,' he said. 'Injuries are part of the game and it happens. But when you get this number of injuries — and different types and different severities and different durations — it does feel odd. Because there are years when you basically have very few if any (injuries). And those years feel completely normal. You forget about what this feels like when you're having one of those years.' It seems like a while since TFC has had one of those good years. Toronto is winless in its last four games (0-3-1) and winless in five at home (0-4-1). On the plus side, forward Deandre Kerr saw 14 minutes of action mid-week in Toronto's first game in 25 days. It was his first involvement since suffering a high ankle sprain March 29. Osorio, who suffered a lower-body injury training with Canada, was seen running with a trainer in the portion of training open to media on Friday. It seemed to speak volumes that despite all the absences Wednesday, Italian designated player Lorenzo Insigne was glued to the bench. Fraser said later he wanted to give some of his younger players their opportunity — hardly a vote of confidence in a player who is earning US$15.4 million this season. Portland (8-4-6) arrives in fourth place in the Western Conference. The Timbers had to settle for a 1-1 draw with visiting San Jose on Wednesday after conceding a 94th-minute equalizer. Portland had won two straight before that. 'Collectively, they have a very aggressive mindset when they go forward. They're a difficult team to deal with because of that,' said Fraser. 'Their athleticism is the sort of thing that bodes really well for this league but they have athletic players who are also talented, skilful.' Portland manager Phil Neville was quick to praise Toronto. 'I think they're a dangerous team,' he said. 'You watch their last five or six games, they've been in every single game. They're at the point of the season where they're going to have to go for it. They need points.' Portland's Jonathan Rodríguez, Ariel Lassiter and Brazil's Anthony are dealing with injuries. The Timbers also have players at the Gold Cup with goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau and defender Kamal Miller both with Canada. It is just the 12th league meeting between the two teams, with Toronto holding a 5-4-2 edge. They last met in 2022 when Toronto won 3-1 at home. TFC goes into weekend play in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, 11 points and five places below the last playoff position. And after Portland, only five of their remaining 15 games are at home, not that playing at BMO Field has been much of an advantage with only five out of a possible 33 points collected there in 11 outings (1-7-3) this season. Fraser insists his players see the severity of the situation. 'It's something we talk about consistently. It comes down to does it resonate? And I certainly think it is starting to.' 'Now we have to talk about results, as opposed to just improving or just doing the things that we need to do,' he added. 'We need to talk about results. That's where we are right now … Time is running out and we can't afford to waste opportunities.' Despite the lack of success on the field, Fraser believes in his roster, calling his players honest and hard-working. 'To dig ourselves out of where we are, it's going to take so much work,' he said. 'It's going to take so much teamwork. But again, I believe in the character of the group.' Toronto has not made the playoffs since 2020, when it stumbled at the first hurdle, beaten by expansion Nashville SC. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025 Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
CTV News
4 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Back after lengthy break, TFC looks to snap 12-game winless run against Red Bulls
Toronto FC Head Coach Robin Fraser reacts during his team's loss to SC Nashville in MLS action in Toronto, on Saturday May 24, CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young TORONTO — After a 25-day hiatus, Toronto FC returns to action Wednesday looking for a change of fortune when it hosts the New York Red Bulls. Toronto's break was longer than most, with a June 13 game at Los Angeles FC pushed back to Oct. 8 after LAFC qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup on top of the pause for the Gold Cup. Toronto (3-10-4) went a disappointing 2-5-0 in May despite playing six of the seven games at home and looks to snap a three-game losing streak Wednesday. Coach Robin Fraser believes the time away — the league mandated a six-day break for the players — did his team good. "The first half of the season is over," he said after a torrid training session Tuesday with the city under an extreme heat alert. "What happened happened and only we can affect the second half of the season. I think the training has been really good. I feel like they're in a good place. We know we have a big mountain to climb. But we've talked about it a lot during this break and I feel they're pretty ready for it." The Red Bulls (8-7-3) arrive in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, six places and 14 points ahead of Toronto. But most of New York's success has come at Sports Illustrated Stadium where it is 7-1-1 compared to 1-6-2 on the road. The Red Bulls' away record is tied with St. Louis City for 28th in the 30-team league. But evening the score perhaps is the fact that Toronto's home record, at 1-7-2, is last in the league — a record exacerbated by five defeats last month at BMO Field. The break has not helped TFC's injury list much. Toronto is missing five injured players with two others listed as questionable. The latest addition is captain Jonathan Osorio, who had to leave Canada at the Gold Cup because of a lower body injury sustained in training. Fraser said Osorio will be out for "a couple of weeks at least." It's another blow for TFC's most senior player, who missed four games in May with a shoulder injury. Toronto is also missing injured defenders Nicksoen Gomis, Henry Wingo and Kobe Franklin and midfielder Markus Cimermancic. Federico Bernardeschi, who missed TFC's last two games through suspension and a muscle strain, and forward Deandre Kerr, sidelined by a high ankle sprain since March 29, were both listed as questionable. Toronto is also without Richie Laryea and Deybi Flores who are away at the Gold Cup with Canada and Honduras, respectively. Wingback Tyrese Spicer is back after time with Trinidad and Tobago. All of the Red Bulls players have returned from international duty, including Paraguayan goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. New York midfielder Peter Stroud is suspended for yellow card accumulation while winger Cameron Harper is sidelined with a knee injury. Cameroon international forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is questionable with an abdominal injury. One takeaway from Toronto's first half of the season was the need to get more numbers in and around the opposition penalty box, Fraser said. While he felt the team had enjoyed some "opportunistic moments" on attack, he believes it need more options near the goal to take advantage of them. Certainly Norwegian forward Ola Brynhildsen has plowed a lone furrow for much of the season. Only Austin and CF Montreal (both with 15 goals) and St. Louis and D.C. United (both on 17) have scored fewer goals than Toronto's 18. Toronto has had little success against the Red Bulls in recent years, winless in the last 12 regular-season meetings (0-9-3) since a 3-1 home win on July 17, 2019, thanks to goals by Jozy Altidore, Alejandro Pozuelo and Ashtone Morgan. New York has outscored TFC 26-6 during its unbeaten run. The Red Bulls won 2-1 when the team met March 22 at Sports Illustrated Stadium. "They're a good team. They have a lot of good players," said Fraser. "They have hard, seasoned defenders. They have attackers with some guile … They're very difficult to play against and certainly we know we have to be pretty sharp on both ends of the field to deal with them." The New Yorkers had won four straight across all competitions prior to a 2-1 league loss last time out at Austin FC on June 14. TFC hosts Portland on Saturday. After that, only five of its remaining 15 matches are at BMO Field. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 24, 2025. Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
National Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Back after lengthy break, TFC looks to snap 12-game winless run against Red Bulls
After a 25-day hiatus, Toronto FC returns to action Wednesday looking for a change of fortune when it hosts the New York Red Bulls. Article content Toronto's break was longer than most, with a June 13 game at Los Angeles FC pushed back to Oct. 8 after LAFC qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup on top of the pause for the Gold Cup. Article content Article content Toronto (3-10-4) went a disappointing 2-5-0 in May despite playing six of the seven games at home and looks to snap a three-game losing streak Wednesday. Article content Coach Robin Fraser believes the time away — the league mandated a six-day break for the players — did his team good. Article content 'The first half of the season is over,' he said after a torrid training session Tuesday with the city under an extreme heat alert. Article content 'What happened happened and only we can affect the second half of the season. I think the training has been really good. I feel like they're in a good place. We know we have a big mountain to climb. But we've talked about it a lot during this break and I feel they're pretty ready for it.' Article content The Red Bulls (8-7-3) arrive in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, six places and 14 points ahead of Toronto. But most of New York's success has come at Sports Illustrated Stadium where it is 7-1-1 compared to 1-6-2 on the road. Article content The Red Bulls' away record is tied with St. Louis City for 28th in the 30-team league. But evening the score perhaps is the fact that Toronto's home record, at 1-7-2, is last in the league — a record exacerbated by five defeats last month at BMO Field. Article content The break has not helped TFC's injury list much. Article content The latest addition is captain Jonathan Osorio, who had to leave Canada at the Gold Cup because of a lower body injury sustained in training. Fraser said Osorio will be out for 'a couple of weeks at least.' Article content It's another blow for TFC's most senior player, who missed four games in May with a shoulder injury. Article content Toronto is also missing injured defenders Nicksoen Gomis and Henry Wingo, both long-term casualties. Article content Federico Bernardeschi, Markus Cimermancic and Kobe Franklin were seen working out with a trainer away from the main squad in the portion of training open to the media Tuesday. There was no concrete word on their availability. Article content Bernardeschi missed TFC's last two games through suspension and a muscle strain. Article content On the plus side, forward Deandre Kerr, sidelined by a high ankle sprain since March 29, was back training Tuesday. Article content 'He's come in and hit the ground running,' said Fraser. 'He's done pretty well.'
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Back after lengthy break, TFC looks to snap 12-game winless run against Red Bulls
Published Jun 24, 2025 • 3 minute read Toronto FC Head Coach Robin Fraser reacts during his team's loss to SC Nashville in MLS action in Toronto. Photo by Chris Young / The Canadian Press Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. After a 25-day hiatus, Toronto FC returns to action Wednesday looking for a change of fortune when it hosts the New York Red Bulls. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Toronto's break was longer than most, with a June 13 game at Los Angeles FC pushed back to Oct. 8 after LAFC qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup on top of the pause for the Gold Cup. Toronto (3-10-4) went a disappointing 2-5-0 in May despite playing six of the seven games at home and looks to snap a three-game losing streak Wednesday. Coach Robin Fraser believes the time away — the league mandated a six-day break for the players — did his team good. 'The first half of the season is over,' he said after a torrid training session Tuesday with the city under an extreme heat alert. 'What happened happened and only we can affect the second half of the season. I think the training has been really good. I feel like they're in a good place. We know we have a big mountain to climb. But we've talked about it a lot during this break and I feel they're pretty ready for it.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Red Bulls (8-7-3) arrive in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, six places and 14 points ahead of Toronto. But most of New York's success has come at Sports Illustrated Stadium where it is 7-1-1 compared to 1-6-2 on the road. The Red Bulls' away record is tied with St. Louis City for 28th in the 30-team league. But evening the score perhaps is the fact that Toronto's home record, at 1-7-2, is last in the league — a record exacerbated by five defeats last month at BMO Field. The break has not helped TFC's injury list much. The latest addition is captain Jonathan Osorio, who had to leave Canada at the Gold Cup because of a lower body injury sustained in training. Fraser said Osorio will be out for 'a couple of weeks at least.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's another blow for TFC's most senior player, who missed four games in May with a shoulder injury. Toronto is also missing injured defenders Nicksoen Gomis and Henry Wingo, both long-term casualties. Federico Bernardeschi, Markus Cimermancic and Kobe Franklin were seen working out with a trainer away from the main squad in the portion of training open to the media Tuesday. There was no concrete word on their availability. Bernardeschi missed TFC's last two games through suspension and a muscle strain. On the plus side, forward Deandre Kerr, sidelined by a high ankle sprain since March 29, was back training Tuesday. 'He's come in and hit the ground running,' said Fraser. 'He's done pretty well.' Toronto is also without Richie Laryea and Deybi Flores who are away at the Gold Cup with Canada and Honduras, respectively. Wingback Tyrese Spicer is back after time with Trinidad and Tobago. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. All of the Red Bulls players have returned from international duty, including Paraguayan goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. One takeaway from Toronto's first half of the season was the need to get more numbers in and around the opposition penalty box, Fraser said. While he felt the team had enjoyed some 'opportunistic moments' on attack, he believes it need more options near the goal to take advantage of them. Certainly Norwegian forward Ola Brynhildsen has plowed a lone furrow for much of the season. Only Austin and CF Montreal (both with 15 goals) and St. Louis and D.C. United (both on 17) have scored fewer goals than Toronto's 18. Toronto has had little success against the Red Bulls in recent years, winless in the last 12 regular-season meetings (0-9-3) since a 3-1 home win on July 17, 2019, thanks to goals by Jozy Altidore, Alejandro Pozuelo and Ashtone Morgan. New York has outscored TFC 26-6 during its unbeaten run. The Red Bulls won 2-1 when the team met March 22 at Sports Illustrated Stadium. 'They're a good team. They have a lot of good players,' said Fraser. 'They have hard, seasoned defenders. They have attackers with some guile … They're very difficult to play against and certainly we know we have to be pretty sharp on both ends of the field to deal with them.' The New Yorkers had won four straight across all competitions prior to a 2-1 league loss last time out at Austin FC on June 14. TFC hosts Portland on Saturday. After that, only five of its remaining 15 matches are at BMO Field. Toronto Blue Jays Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA World
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Back after lengthy break, TFC looks to snap 12-game winless run against Red Bulls
TORONTO – After a 25-day hiatus, Toronto FC returns to action Wednesday looking for a change of fortune when it hosts the New York Red Bulls. Toronto's break was longer than most, with a June 13 game at Los Angeles FC pushed back to Oct. 8 after LAFC qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup on top of the pause for the Gold Cup. Toronto (3-10-4) went a disappointing 2-5-0 in May despite playing six of the seven games at home and looks to snap a three-game losing streak Wednesday. Coach Robin Fraser believes the time away — the league mandated a six-day break for the players — did his team good. 'The first half of the season is over,' he said after a torrid training session Tuesday with the city under an extreme heat alert. 'What happened happened and only we can affect the second half of the season. I think the training has been really good. I feel like they're in a good place. We know we have a big mountain to climb. But we've talked about it a lot during this break and I feel they're pretty ready for it.' The Red Bulls (8-7-3) arrive in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, six places and 14 points ahead of Toronto. But most of New York's success has come at Sports Illustrated Stadium where it is 7-1-1 compared to 1-6-2 on the road. The Red Bulls' away record is tied with St. Louis City for 28th in the 30-team league. But evening the score perhaps is the fact that Toronto's home record, at 1-7-2, is last in the league — a record exacerbated by five defeats last month at BMO Field. The break has not helped TFC's injury list much. The latest addition is captain Jonathan Osorio, who had to leave Canada at the Gold Cup because of a lower body injury sustained in training. Fraser said Osorio will be out for 'a couple of weeks at least.' It's another blow for TFC's most senior player, who missed four games in May with a shoulder injury. Toronto is also missing injured defenders Nicksoen Gomis and Henry Wingo, both long-term casualties. Federico Bernardeschi, Markus Cimermancic and Kobe Franklin were seen working out with a trainer away from the main squad in the portion of training open to the media Tuesday. There was no concrete word on their availability. Bernardeschi missed TFC's last two games through suspension and a muscle strain. On the plus side, forward Deandre Kerr, sidelined by a high ankle sprain since March 29, was back training Tuesday. 'He's come in and hit the ground running,' said Fraser. 'He's done pretty well.' Toronto is also without Richie Laryea and Deybi Flores who are away at the Gold Cup with Canada and Honduras, respectively. Wingback Tyrese Spicer is back after time with Trinidad and Tobago. All of the Red Bulls players have returned from international duty, including Paraguayan goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. One takeaway from Toronto's first half of the season was the need to get more numbers in and around the opposition penalty box, Fraser said. While he felt the team had enjoyed some 'opportunistic moments' on attack, he believes it need more options near the goal to take advantage of them. Certainly Norwegian forward Ola Brynhildsen has plowed a lone furrow for much of the season. Only Austin and CF Montreal (both with 15 goals) and St. Louis and D.C. United (both on 17) have scored fewer goals than Toronto's 18. Toronto has had little success against the Red Bulls in recent years, winless in the last 12 regular-season meetings (0-9-3) since a 3-1 home win on July 17, 2019, thanks to goals by Jozy Altidore, Alejandro Pozuelo and Ashtone Morgan. New York has outscored TFC 26-6 during its unbeaten run. The Red Bulls won 2-1 when the team met March 22 at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'They're a good team. They have a lot of good players,' said Fraser. 'They have hard, seasoned defenders. They have attackers with some guile … They're very difficult to play against and certainly we know we have to be pretty sharp on both ends of the field to deal with them.' The New Yorkers had won four straight across all competitions prior to a 2-1 league loss last time out at Austin FC on June 14. TFC hosts Portland on Saturday. After that, only five of its remaining 15 matches are at BMO Field. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 24, 2025
