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TORONTO, Canada—Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney has provided an update on the status of designated player Pablo Piatti, who missed out on the Reds’ 5-0 loss to Philadelphia Union with an undisclosed injury.
“Pablo is out for a little bit,” Vanney told media on Tuesday. “He’s got a calf strain, so ... we’re hoping to get him maybe by (New York) Red Bulls, but it could be just a playoff thing.”
The Argentine winger suffered the Grade 2 strain during a practice last Friday. According to the Toronto FC coach, the diagnosis is ‘a couple of weeks,’ meaning that it’s unlikely that he does take part in the regular-season finale at Red Bull Arena. Round 1 of the MLS Cup Playoffs is about three weeks away, beginning on Nov. 20.
Piatti, who ranks second in MLS in distance covered per 90, had proven doubters wrong about injury concerns surrounding the designated player heading his first season with the club. After the pandemic lockdown, Piatti appeared in 18-straight matches before missing last Saturday’s encounter. In those games, he hit the back of the net four times, added three assists, all while creating an extraordinary partnership with the club’s no. 10: Alejandro Pozuelo.
Aside from Piatti, Toronto FC fans did receive some encouraging news from the club’s head coach. According to Vanney, Eriq Zavaleta, Ayo Akinola, and (hopefully) Chris Mavinga will all be available for Wednesday’s clash against New York City FC. Jonathan Osorio, meanwhile, is also ‘right there’ according to the TFC head coach, but it sounds like the club will ere on the side of caution, meaning it’s likely we don’t see the Canadian international back in action until Inter Miami on Sunday.
This season, Piatti has been the Reds’ no. 1 option on the wing. With former LaLiga star out, who would you like to see get more playing time? Let us know in the comments.