Toronto FC try out a few strikers ahead of Columbus friendly, John Herdman hopeful of new signings in next fortnight – Waking The Red

Courtesy: Sean McLeod/Waking The Red

Toronto FC fans continue to wait for reinforcements for the club's roster as the start of the MLS season approaches, and so does John Herdman.

The head coach recently revealed that TFC is hoping for new signings in this second phase of the preseason, which officially kicks off with a friendly against MLS Cup winners Columbus Crew on Saturday. But he admits bringing in new faces depends on the club finding the “right people” and making room for them on the roster and on the salary scale.

“I would say I expect some signings in the next couple of weeks,” Herdman said Friday, per Neil Davidson of The Canadian Press. “I think I'll play a little bit before the LAFC game (Feb. 17). It was the front office's mission to make sure I could get at least a game or two under any new signing's belt.

“I know the club is working hard and talking to some key players and some are closer than others. But what I'm learning is you can get close and the next minute it's gone.”

While there are no new official additions apart from the arrival of Honduran midfielder Debi Flores, there are likely to be new faces in Saturday's friendly against the Crew.

Davidson said several unnamed testers are in camp and it's fair to say they could see game action on Saturday and later this week. It's unclear if we'll get any names on who these players are, but the club doesn't seem to want to release any information at this time.

Stepping up in the second leg of their pre-season camp in California, Toronto FC will play three friendlies this week, starting with Saturday's clash with MLS Cup winners Columbus Crew. As with practice in Nashville, Saturday's game will feature two 60-minute games against the Crew.

Some members of the squad will sit out most, if not all, of the Crew's games, including Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, who scored in Florida's first preseason win over Nashville last week.

Herdman said the two Italian DPs are healthy, but he said he will be able to manage his minutes very tightly this week. “I think I'm going to use it as much as I can to evaluate the players more and for the guys that I know, I can prioritize their minutes when they're fully recovered and ready to go.”

Adama Diomand played only 166 minutes last season due to injury. yet not even ready for playing time in a non-competitive environment.

No. 1 draft pick Tyrese Spicer is recovering from a broken toe, and Herdman hopes Spicer will be ready to start Wednesday against Real Salt Lake.

“We had a rough season last season with injuries, and we want to make sure we get to the starting line with guys healthy, ready to go,” Herdman said. »