This is the fifth installment of We Are TFC. Every week, we’ll sit down with one of the Reds and help you get to know them a little bit better, on and off the field. This week, Devang Desai chats with midfielder Jonathan Osorio, who made his 100th appearance for the Reds against the Columbus Crew on Saturday. We hope you’ll enjoy this series and let us know which TFC players you’d like to see profiled in the future.
Taking a look at your phone – what picture means the most to you and why?  

OSORIO: There’s a photo of my whole family and I in Colombia. We went there two years ago during Christmas and New Years and we hadn’t been there in almost 15 years. It was amazing. That picture was taken in Medellín, where my Mom is from. That picture means the most to me because we hadn’t been there in a long time and we finally found the time to make it happen.

How would people close to you describe you in one word?

OSORIO: Interesting.

Why?

OSORIO: I’m an interesting guy. I can surprise people a lot by adapting to different personalities. Sometimes people are surprised by that.

Who is your favourite soccer player and why?

OSORIO: Zinedine Zidane. He’s a maestro and created magic on the pitch.

He seems to be doing well coaching Real Madrid..

OSORIO: He’s doing well. I like him as a coach and the team is doing well obviously. They came close to winning La Liga and they’re in the Champions League final.

I’m guessing you’re backing Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid?

OSORIO: Yes (laughs).

What is your favourite pastime?

OSORIO: I like watching documentaries. Sports documentaries interest me but also those that cover historic events. I enjoy documentaries that cover those big events that happened around the world.

Who is your best friend?

OSORIO: My best friends are my brothers, Nicholas and Anthony.

What about on the team?

OSORIO: Ashtone Morgan and I have been here the longest and we’ve known each other the longest. I have a funny relationship with Jay Chapman. We have fun picking on each other.

How cool is it seeing your brothers come up in the ranks with TFC and follow in your footsteps?

OSORIO: It’s really cool. It makes me happy to see them playing well with the same club that I’m with. That they’re following in my footsteps, especially Anthony who made the same trip that I did to Uruguay to play and then came back, so it’s a cool thing.

Ashtone made his 100th appearance last year and you accomplished that same feat against Columbus. You’re the first two to do that for TFC.

OSORIO: Yea, we call it the ‘hundo-club’ (laughs).

Who’s going to be next?

OSORIO: I think it’s going to be Justin Morrow.

Do you have any quirks or superstitions before matches?

OSORIO: There’s one thing. Every time before warm ups and before for a game I’d jump on the field on one foot, my right foot, and do the sign of the cross on my chest.

What about your teammates, past or present?

OSORIO: A former player used to do push-ups before games. They were incline push-ups as well! He would put his feet up on his locker and do about 10. I couldn’t believe it the first time I saw it.

Which music artist are you listening to right now?

OSORIO: I’m listening to a lot of Drake.

Favourite movie you’ve watched in the last year?

OSORIO: Self/less with Ryan Reynolds.

How do you kill time during the off-season?

OSORIO: Last year I went to Cancun on vacation which was really nice. I’m not sure if I’m going somewhere this year but hopefully I can. I go to a lot of Raptors games during the off-season. I go during the season as well, but it’s easier to enjoy the experience in the off-season.

This interview will come out before game six. Will the Raptors force a game seven?

OSORIO: Yes. 100 percent.

If you weren’t a soccer player what would you be doing?

OSORIO: It would have something to do with soccer. I’m not sure exactly what that is but I would be coaching or studying to be a physiotherapist. Something to do with this sport.

Your favourite moment with TFC?

OSORIO: Clinching a playoff spot against the Red Bulls last season at home.

Watching you celebrate with the supporters after that game was pretty special.

OSORIO: I have a good relationship with the fans. I’m one of them. There’s only a few guys on this team from this city that can say that.

Who are your heroes?

OSORIO: My father and Spiderman.

How has your Dad helped you grow as a soccer player but as a person as well?

OSORIO: He played a huge role. My Dad didn’t grow up with much and he’s very thankful for everything he has. He doesn’t take anything for granted and I admire that about him. I take after him in that way. He’s a very strong willed person and I’ve seen him do a lot of heroic things that you would need to see in order to believe.

When I say ‘Toronto’ what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?

OSORIO: When I think of Toronto the first thing I think of is the diversity.

What’s your ultimate goal in life?

OSORIO: Oof, that’s personal. I can’t really say specifically what it is. My ultimate goal is to reach the fullest of my potential. Who knows what that could be?

Let us know who you would like to see featured in the next We Are TFC!