WOLSTAT: Bakero, the former star of the NCAA, goes fast with TFC



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There could be a new face on Wednesday night as Toronto FC's goal is to eliminate Ottawa Fury FC and qualify for the Canadian Club Championship final.

Toronto takes a 1-0 lead at TD last week in Ottawa and acquired Chicago Fire striker Jon Bakero late last week in exchange for Nicolas Hasler. There is a chance that Bakero will face the Fury (7:30 pm, BMO Field) if his work permit is set on time and if head coach Greg Vanney believes the 21-year-old has picked up enough time to play a few minutes

Bakero was named NCAA Player of the Year at Wake Forest and finished fifth overall in the MLS SuperDraft, but he did not find "In part, because it was not used to"

Bakero said that he had had a good interview with TFC at the MLS Combine and that he had not been used to. he would have liked to land at the "best club" in the league and he is delighted that he is on board now.

"Obviously it did not work out the way I wanted it (in Chicago), it's just an apprenticeship for me and it's something I'm going to build and it will make me better here Bakero said after training on Tuesday morning in Toronto.

He already made a good impression on hi s new coach

"He is a good football player, he is very aware of his environment in the field. We can see him today with the band in which he was playing, "said Vanney, explaining that he was already in touch with the two most creative players on the team, the midfielder Victor Vazquez and former MVP player Sebastian Giovinco. where his teammates were, settling in good places, technically he's clean, he'll just get used to his teammates, get used to the speed of the game and the things we try to do . He is capable of these things, he will just need time to integrate into the group. He is on the right track.

Bakero 's father, Jose Mari Bakero, has played nearly two decades in Spain, notably at FC Barcelona, ​​and has competed for Spain in two World Cups and in the World Championship. Europe of 1988. Although very respectful of his lineage, the young Bakero came to America to forge his own journey.

"I was 17 years old and I came to college and I think it was great for me and it really prepared me to play professionally. Education was really important for my family, getting my degree (in communications), "said Bakero.

"I feel really lucky to be here. I think all the injuries that have happened (at the TFC) were something hard, but I think the best players in the league are here (they will be fine). "

FURY ROAD [19659002] Toronto trailed after a heat last year before getting an easy 4-0 win, but he knows Ottawa will be able to score goals.

"The goal is to participate in this match and not give anything to them." What is also important to us, looking at the situation as a whole, is that we can use our approach and our approach, "said Mr. Vanney about Ottawa.

this game as a group to take a step forward in the way we play, what we do defensively, moving together as a group, integrating the guys into their roles in the team, "he said. goal is to win the game and move on to the next series, but we also know for us to start moving We must also accomplish a few things in this game, try to use it positively. This could mean resting some guys, which could mean giving a few guys a few minutes.

OSORIO EXCELLANT

Canada's Jonathan Osorio has been impressive for the TFC this season. He leads the team in goals and his effort to regain the defense in Chicago on Saturday was an example of the effort that will be needed to reverse the team season.

"He played virtually a minute, he continues to find the back of the net, but while finding the back of the net, he does a huge job on both sides of the ball, defensively, attacking, covering tons of ground , helping us in possession, "said Vanney.

"There is not much more to say, he has a big season and we want him to continue."

Osorio said that Chicago's victory helped change the mood in the room. "We see that this may be a big turning point in our season, but it only becomes a turning point if we continue like this," he told reporters at Monday's training

. t take a game to change everything; it's a game to start things, and then you have to keep going. We are aware of it.

CORNER KICKS

Montreal won a 1-0 home victory in Vancouver in the other Canadian semifinal. Whitecaps striker Alphonso Davies is said to have agreed to a contract with Bayern Munich for a transfer worth 20 million US dollars. He will complete this MLS season with the Whitecaps … Eriq Zavaleta played his 100th game for Toronto on Saturday. Vanney weighed in on her progress, saying that Zavaleta has "grown every year. For me, in terms of open field, 1-on-1 defense, I think it's one of the best guys out there, "said Vanney." That means a lot, "Zavaleta said. About the cap of 100 . "When I arrived in this club, it was uncertain (his career). I have tried to build myself in the player I am today. For me, it was a good ride, it was a fun ride. "

@ WolstatSun

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