Toronto FC’s beleaguered defensive corps just got more bad news.
With the right ankle of left back and team captain Jim Brennan still swollen and fellow defender Nana Attakora continuing to suffer from post-concussion symptoms, the Major League Soccer club announced yesterday that Marvell Wynne has been named to the U.S. national team playing in the Confederations Cup next week.
Wynne, who has missed the last two TFC games for World Cup qualifying, will now be lost at least two more and could be away for much of July if he’s also named to the U.S. team for the Gold Cup.
“Yes, there’s going to be a lot of issues at the back,” midfielder Carl Robinson said of a lineup that might be missing three of the four regular defenders when TFC hosts the New York Red Bulls Saturday.
“And maybe I’m waiting for that call to say will I play there.”
Last Saturday, with Wynne away and Attakora out after hitting his head earlier in the week in a loss in Vancouver, Marco Velez and Kevin Harmse (usually a midfielder) started at the back. The L.A. Galaxy scored five minutes in when Velez lost track of Alan Gordon on a corner kick and the striker headed it in.
Early in the second half, Brennan was forced to come off after challenging for a ball along the sideline, coming down on the black mat running beside the pitch and rolling over on his right ankle. In the 77th minute, L.A.’s Edson Buddle was able to get in behind the defence, run onto a Gordon through ball and put in the game-winner.
Head coach Chris Cummins admits Wynne’s continued loss will hurt.
“It’s not until players are not there that you realize how much you miss them,” Cummins said of Wynne and leading scorer Amado Guevara, who is due back after being away with the Honduran national team.
“It (missing guys) gives other players a chance to come in and take that opportunity,” he said. “Have they done that? Probably not.”
But a lack of depth almost guarantees Velez and Harmse will start at the back Saturday. And, if Attakora again cannot play, 18-year-old Emmanuel Gomez, who debuted in the final four minutes against L.A., might get his first start.
Real Madrid ticket info
• A seat at BMO Field to see storied soccer franchise Real Madrid won’t come cheap.
Toronto FC announced its ticket prices yesterday for the team’s Aug. 9 match with the Spanish powerhouse, with prices ranging from $140 to $215.
Toronto FC season seat holders have the opportunity to buy tickets as of June 15 at a slight discount, starting at $125.
Non-season seat holders can purchase tickets online beginning June 22.
– The Canadian Press
