Toronto FC Players Benched in Canada's Friendly

Despite being called up by Canada’s head coach Jesse Marsch, Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio did not start in the friendly against the United States during this international FIFA window.

Fans had high hopes that Laryea, after his stellar performance in the Copa América, would be in the starting eleven. Laryea was instrumental in several key victories for Canada in the 2024 Copa América, making his absence from the starting lineup somewhat surprising.

READ MORE: A New Chapter for Jonathan Osorio with the Canadian National Team

Another Call-Up for Key TFC Players

Richie Laryea, a 29-year-old key player for both Toronto FC in MLS and in the Canadian Championship, was expected to start. Laryea has been a critical figure for John Herdman in Toronto FC’s playoff push. His speed, work ethic, and defensive contribution have been key in TFC’s efforts to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

On the other hand, Jonathan Osorio, the 32-year-old leader on and off the pitch for both Toronto FC and Canada, also found himself on the bench. Osorio, with 78 caps and 9 goals since his international debut on May 28, 2013, has been an influential figure in Canada’s football history. Many expected him to feature in the starting lineup, given his vast experience and recent form for TFC.

TFC’s Stars Expected to Play Key Roles

Both Osorio and Laryea are expected to play critical roles in the coming days, particularly since only a handful of TFC players, including Deybi Flores, were called up for international duty. John Herdman will be counting on these two to maintain their sharpness and return in top form, as Toronto FC faces the final stretch of the MLS season, where they hope to secure crucial wins to enter the Eastern Conference playoffs.

With the playoff race heating up, it’s vital for TFC to have their key players like Osorio and Laryea fully fit and firing, as they seek to make a deep run in the 2024 MLS season.