Criscito trains with TFC but his compatriot Insigne is still dealing with a calf problem – Toronto | Globalnews.ca

TORONTO — The Italian work is underway at Toronto FC.

Domenico Criscito took part in his first practice in Toronto on Friday, while Italian newcomer Lorenzo Insigne trained separately indoors.

Toronto coach Bob Bradley, whose team hosts the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, said Insigne is recovering from a calf injury he sustained in Europe prior to his arrival here.

“It’s day to day,” Bradley said. “When players get to the middle of the year, especially if they have a small injury, it’s important to make sure that the return (to the game) is handled very well. So we’ll be aware of that and try to move it in the smartest way.”

Toronto has invested heavily in the former Napoli captain, whose four-year deal makes him the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer, dwarfing the $8.13 million earned by Chicago’s Xherdan Shaqiri this season.

Insigne left the training center to pose for photos in TFC colours. Criscito, the former Genoa captain, took time before practice to greet a group of about 20 fans behind a fence at the training ground.

Both players are eligible to make their debuts on July 9 against the San Jose Earthquakes after the league’s secondary transfer window opens on July 7.

Insigne, a 31-year-old striker, will wear his trademark number 24, which Canadian Jacob Shaffelburg gave up this season for the Italian. Shaffelburg now wears number 22.

Criscito, a 35-year-old defender whose captain Michael Bradley wears the regular No. 4, will wear No. 44. Raheem Edwards and Omar Gonzales have both worn No. 44 in the past for Toronto.

“We know how they are as players. You really want to know who the man behind the shirt is,” goalkeeper Alex Bono said. “They seem like good guys.

“We have a very good camaraderie among the group with veterans and youngsters. Everyone seems to be really comfortable right now. We hope that they can integrate quickly and grow that culture that we have started in the locker room.”

After losing 2-1 midweek to a familiar foe in the Columbus Crew, Toronto gets a rare opportunity at Seattle on Saturday.

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It’s their first meeting since the 2019 MLS Cup final, won 3-1 by Seattle at their home stadium, a championship loss that was followed by Toronto’s two-season slide in the standings.

Toronto and Seattle have met just 14 times in the league (with the Sounders holding a 9-3-2 series lead), compared to TFC’s 40 meetings with Columbus (the Crew leads the series 17-11- 12).

Seattle has won the last three meetings, with Toronto’s last win coming in the 2017 MLS Cup Final, a 2-0 win for TFC at BMO Field.

“Every time you see Seattle on your calendar, it brings back memories,” Bono said. “It brings back some good times and some times that hurt a little more.

“Obviously, they’re always a dangerous team, no matter who they have on the field, no matter how their season goes.”

The stakes aren’t quite as high on Saturday with Seattle, seventh in the Western Conference at 7-7-2, coming in five points ahead of Toronto, 12th in the East at 5-9-3.

“Seattle is still a top team. They showed it by winning the (CONCACAF) Champions League,” Bob Bradley said. “Very experienced. The guys that have been together, they play with a hard touch.”

After a 2-5-1 start to the season, the Sounders have found their groove, although they saw a four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1) end in a 2-1 midweek loss to visiting CF. Montréal. It was the Sounders’ first loss since May 22.

Seattle has lost just two of its last eight MLS games (5-2-1) despite missing star Peruvian forward Raúl Ruidíaz and Ecuadorian defender Xavier Arreaga in recent games with hamstring problems.

Ruidiaz, who has led the Sounders in points the past five seasons, has been out since June 14 with a hamstring injury.

Toronto failed to convert a slew of scoring chances against Columbus, with young Canadian forward Ayo Akinola retiring at halftime after just 11 touches.

“Ayo didn’t give us enough the other day,” Bob Bradley said bluntly. “He and I talked about it after training today. He has to be more involved in the game, he has to have more of a presence.”

But in Akinola’s defense, Bradley said Columbus’ low blocking didn’t give the forward much room to operate.

“Those kinds of games, as a young striker, are challenging,” he said.

Wednesday marked the 25th consecutive league game in which Toronto allowed a goal. There have only been six longest regular-season stretches without a clean sheet in MLS history.

TFC, 0-5-3 on the road, is also one of four teams yet to win away from home in the league this season (along with Colorado, San Jose and expansion Charlotte).

Seattle has also been spotty on the road with a 2-4-1 record to rank 16th in the league. The Sounders have won just two of their last 11 road games (2-6-3), going back to October, and have lost three of their last four road games (1-3-0).

Seattle has kept just one clean sheet in its last 15 road games, going back to last August.

Toronto goaltender Quentin Westberg and defender Carlos Salcedo, who missed the midweek game, practiced Friday. Westberg is listed as questionable after taking a bruised knee in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Atlanta. Salcedo had been dealing with a family matter, according to Bradley.

“We are hopeful that both can be available,” the coach said.

Midfielder Noble Okello remains out.