Toronto FC announced Friday that the club has assigned goalkeepers Quillan Roberts, Alex Bono, defender Ashtone Morgan, midfielders Manuel Aparicio, Jay Chapman, Chris Mannella and forward Jordan Hamilton on loan to Toronto FC II of the United Soccer League (USL). In addition, Chris Mannella has been named team captain by head coach Jason Bent.
“We feel this will be of great benefit for our players to gain some meaningful match minutes in a competitive environment,” said Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “We are all very excited to play the first match for Toronto FC II this Saturday, which marks an important milestone in our club’s history."
Roberts, 20, signed with Toronto FC on April 10, 2012, becoming the seventh player in club history to sign for the first team from the Academy. Last season, Roberts spent time on loan with Toronto FC’s USL affiliate Wilmington Hammerheads FC before being recalled on August 6. He appeared and started in 17 matches, logging 1514 minutes, with a record of 5-4-8 while registering six clean sheets. He was named the USL PRO Player of the Week for Week 18, and was also named to the USL PRO Team of the Week for Week 8.
Bono, 20, was selected in the first round, sixth overall by Toronto FC in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. Prior to being drafted, Bono spent the last three seasons at Syracuse University. He was the first MLS draftee to be called into the U.S. national team prior to the SuperDraft. He appeared and started in 59 matches with a record of 39-17-3 and 30 clean sheets for the Orange. In 2014, Bono was named to the NSCAA All-America First Team, and NSCAA All-South Region Team. He also received 2014 ACC Defensive Player of the Year honours.
Aparicio, 19, signed with Toronto FC on August 8, 2013, becoming the eighth player in club history to sign for the first team from the Academy. Last season, Aparicio spent time on loan with Toronto FC’s USL affiliate Wilmington Hammerheads FC. He made a combined 20 appearances, starting in ten, adding one goal while logging 877 minutes in all competitions.
Chapman, 21, signed with Toronto FC on January 15, 2015, becoming the eleventh player in club history to sign for the first team from the Academy. Chapman was named to Toronto FC’s 18-man squad once this season.
Mannella, 20, signed with Toronto FC on September 15, 2014, becoming the tenth player in club history to sign for the first team from the Academy. Last season, he was selected into the 18-man roster for the first time, and was an unused substitute on October 26, 2014 vs New England Revolution.
Hamilton, 19, signed with Toronto FC on January 9, 2014, becoming the ninth player in club history to sign for the first team from the Academy. Last season, Hamilton spent time on loan with Clube Desportivo Trofense (Trofense) of the Portuguese Segunda Liga and Toronto FC’s USL affiliate Wilmington Hammerheads FC. He appeared in seven matches, starting in two matches with Trofense. With Wilmington, he appeared in 11 matches, registering five goals and two assists, while logging 453 minutes.
Morgan, 24, is currently in his fifth season with Toronto FC. He has appeared in one match this season, and was named to Toronto FC’s 18-man squad twice.
Toronto FC II will open its inaugural season on Saturday, March 21 against the Charleston Battery in Charleston at 7:30 p.m. The club will play its home opener at BMO Field on Saturday, May 23 against the Rochester Rhinos. Toronto FC II will play 12 regular season home matches at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan. Season seats are on sale now for $96 (or $8/match). For more details,visit www.tfc2.ca or by calling (416)-360-GOAL (4625).
