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Toronto FC Head Coach Greg Vanney confirmed on July 14 that the club is looking to send out Toronto FC II players out on loan after The Young Reds were forced to withdraw from the 2020 USL League One season.
TFC II withdrew from the season earlier this month due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, citing “public health restrictions,” likely referring to the logistical issues relating to regularly crossing the border with the United States.
Club statement regarding the 2020 season. #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/WeyE0fkELH
— Toronto FC II (@TorontoFCII) July 8, 2020
Without a season to play in for 2020, Toronto FC II players will need to move elsewhere to find playing time, and as Vanney says, may be loaned to other USL teams, clubs overseas, or the Canadian Premier League.
#TFCLive head coach Greg Vanney says that Toronto FC II is looking at potential loans overseas, with other USL teams, or the #CanPL.
— Michael Singh (@MichaelSingh94) July 14, 2020
"It can't be a lost year and we're working to get that done."
The Canadian Premier League should be an ideal location for TFC II players. One of the main benefits of playing in the CPL in 2020 is the lack of international travel. All of the USL or overseas clubs that TFC II players might go to are in the United States and beyond. For safety reasons, as well as the potential hurdles in getting a visa to play.
The CPL is also a league where Canadians under the age of 21 know they’ll get minutes. The league requires every team to play U21 Canadians for at least 1,000 combined minutes per club. Teams looking to find players to eat up those minutes should certainly be considering talent from TFC II.
Some CPL teams have been struggling to get international players into Canada, with York9 FC, for example, being forced to release one of their new signings, Adrian Ugarizza. With some clubs needing to fill out their roster, loans for young, domestic talent is a great way to add to your squad.
Confirmation on https://t.co/EfDd42Yiy9 today of some of the international names in doubt for this year: new signings Luca (Cavalry) and Tito (Edmonton) as well as Jose Escalante... #CanPL https://t.co/iqzJyCnAX3
— Oliver Platt (@plattoli) July 16, 2020
After the announcement I listed several Toronto FC II players who are strong candidates to be loaned to the Canadian Premier League, although since then some CPL clubs have made additions to their rosters. You can check that article out here.
The CPL are yet to officially announce their plan for a return to play, but according to OneSoccer’s Oliver Platt, we are getting closer to that decision being made.
Finally, an update on #CanPL@plattoli: "We are very close. I think you're gonna hear something good this week, in the next two or three days ... "
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 13, 2020
But, Platt adds, international players not currently training may not be available this year.
WATCH https://t.co/484EizPl8n