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How are you holding up, Toronto FC fans?
After the shocking trade that saw Nick Hagglund shipped off to his hometown club, FC Cincinnati, there is another quickly-developing story coming out of TFC’s preseason camp.
Multiple sources are reporting that Gregory van der Wiel’s days as a member of Toronto FC are numbered. According to a tweet from TSN’s Kristian Jack, van der Wiel had an altercation with manager Greg Vanney, leading to his dismissal from training camp.
Van der Wiel posted this on his Instagram story this evening, seemingly confirming the rumours:
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As the story is still developing, it remains unclear what sparked the altercation, but Sportsnet’s John Molinaro reported that “the club is working with him and his agent to explore opportunities in and outside of MLS.”
#TFC official tells me Van der Wiel has been sent back to Toronto, and the club is working with him and his agent to explore opportunities in and outside of MLS. Things might change, but he probably won’t be back with #TFC this season. The intention is to find him a new team.
— John Molinaro (@JohnMolinaro) January 24, 2019
Van der Wiel joined the Reds in 2018 as a replacement for Steven Beitashour. He was decent in 2018, but was apparently unhappy with Greg Vanney for playing him at centre-back instead of his natural position on the right flank, something that could have been the spark for today’s confrontation.
In 34 games in all competitions, van der Wiel picked up four assists for Toronto FC.