Criscito trains at TFC, but Italy's Insigne is still working on the calf problem

Toronto — Italian work at Toronto FC in progress.

Domenico Criscito participated in his first practice in Toronto on Friday, and Italian rookie Lorenzo Insigne trained separately indoors.

On Saturday, Toronto coach Bob Bradley, who hosts the Seattle Sounders, said he was recovering from a calf injury he had suffered in Europe before Insigne arrived in Europe. ..

"It's every day," Bradley said. "When a player comes in the middle of the year, it's important to make sure that the returns (to play) are handled really well, especially if they have a small minor injury, so we do. Standing on top of that, he tries to move it in the smartest way. "

Toronto has made a large investment in a former Naples captain, whose four-year contract allows him to play in major league football. Became the highest-priced player. More than US $ 8.13 million made by Xherdan Shaqiri in Chicago this season

Insigne emerged from the training center and posed for a TFC color photo. Former Genoa skipper Chrisito took some time before practicing to greet a group of about 20 fans behind the fence on the training ground.

After the league's secondary transfer window opens on July 7, both players are eligible to make their debut against the San Jose earthquake to visit on July 9.

31-year-old Insigne, Forward wears his trademark No. 24, which Canadian Jacob Schaffelberg gave up for the Italians this season. Shaffelburg is currently wearing number 22.

Chrisito is a 35-year-old defender, whose usual number 4 is taken by captain Michael Bradley, but he wears number 44. Raheem Edwards and Omar Gonzales wear number 44. The past of Toronto.

"We know what they are like as players. We really want to know who the guy behind the jersey is," says goalkeeper Alex Bono. I did. "They seem to be good people.

" We have really good friendships in groups with veterans and young men. At the moment, everyone Seems really comfortable. I hope they can integrate quickly and grow the culture we started in the locker room. "

A week to familiar enemies in the Columbus crew. After losing 2-1 in the middle, Toronto will make a rare crack in Seattle on Saturday.

Seattle won 3-1 at the home stadium in the first meeting since the 2019 MLS Cup final. After losing the championship, Toronto dropped in two seasons.

Toronto and Seattle have met only 14 times in the league, compared to TFC's 40 encounters with Columbus (Sounder holds the edge of 9-3-2 in the series. (The crew is leading the series 17-11) -12).

Seattle has won in the last three conferences, Toronto's final victory was in the 2017 MLS Cup final, with TFC winning 2-0 in the BMO field.

"Whenever you see Seattle on schedule, your memories come back to life," Bono said. "It regains some good times and a little more painful times.

" Obviously, they are always a dangerous team, no matter who is in the field or how the season goes on. "

Saturday's stakes aren't as high as Seattle, arriving 7th at 7-7-2 in the Western Conference, 5 points ahead of Toronto and 12th at 5-9-3 in the east. I did.

"Seattle is still the top team. They proved it won the (CONCACAF) Champions League," said Bob Bradley. "Very experienced. The people we were with are playing on the hard edge."

After the start of season 2-5-1, the sounders have four games. I saw the undefeated run (3-0-1) ending, but found the rhythm. Mid-week 2-1 loss to visit CF Montreal. This was the Sounders' first defeat since May 22nd. Consistent with the hamstring problem.

Louis Diaz, who has led the Sounders with goals in the last five seasons, has been out since June 14th due to a hamstring injury.

Toronto couldn't change many scoring chances against Columbus, and young Canadian striker Ayo Akinora was pulled half-time with just 11 touches.

"The other day Ayo didn't give us enough," Bob Bradley said frankly. "He and I talked about it after today's training. He needs to be more engaged in the game and have a bigger presence."

But in Akinora's defense, Bradley said the low block of Columbus did not give him much space to maneuver forward. We are moving forward and challenging, "he said.

Wednesday marked the 25th consecutive league game in which Toronto allowed a goal. In the history of MLS, there were only 6 stretches in the regular season without clean sheets.

TFC, 0-5-3, is one of four teams that haven't yet won from home in this season's league match (along with Colorado, San Jose and Extended Charlotte).

Seattle was also away from home with a 2-4-1 record to rank 16th in the league. The Sounders have won only two of the last 11 road matches (2-6-3) dating back to October last year and lost three of the last four (1-3-0).

Seattle has only one clean sheet in the last 15 away matches, dating back to August last year.

Toronto goalkeeper Quentin Westberg and defender Carlos Salsed were both unable to compete in the mid-week match and trained on Friday. Westberg has been listed as suspicious after kneeling down with a 2-1 victory over Atlanta last weekend. According to Bradley, Salsed was dealing with his family's problems.

"I hope both are available," the coach said.

There is no midfielder noble okero.

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This report by Canadian Press was first published on July 1, 2022.