In the last two seasons, Toronto F.C. have sunk low in the Eastern Conference of the MLS, going from 2nd on the table to 12th and 13th. So, as a result of those bad performances, they have now found it necessary to bolster their squad in order to start competing in the final series again.
They started by signing a new coach, Bob Bradley, last year, and now they have taken further steps by completing the signing of two European-trained veteran Italian footballers in Domenico Criscito and Lorenzo Insigne. What are Toronto’s chances of winning the league thanks to the new signings? You can find out by remembering to rely on Ontario online sport betting, so you will be sure to bet on the right team while respecting the laws.
1. Domenico Criscito
In Criscito, Toronto F.C. are getting a vastly experienced left-back who has been playing professional football for about 20 years now. In these two decades, Criscito has not just been playing football, he has been playing for top clubs around Europe including Juventus and Genoa in Italy, and Zenit Saint Petersburg of Russia.
The former Italy international is a tough, but very disciplined defender, having been shown straight red cards only 3 times in his very long career. That is very impressive for a defender.
He may be a defender, but the Italian also knows how to find the back of the net, with close to a hundred goal contributions in his career. So, he is surely going to be a really big asset for Toronto F.C. both staying back and going forward.
But long before finalizing the signing of Criscito, Toronto F.C. had already closed a deal to bring a player who many would classify as an even bigger asset over to the BMO Field. The Italy international already sounds like good news to patrons of Ontario, because this guy very well knows how to score goals and win games.
2. Lorenzo Insigne
Although Insigne’s 4-year deal with Toronto didn’t start until the 1st of July, he had already signed with the club since January 2022, and from then, the entire city began anticipating the coming of the 31-year-old.
Insigne has scored close to 200 career goals and has provided more than 100 career assists, so you can understand why fans of Toronto F.C. are excited to have him join their club.
Apart from his goal contributions, the former Napoli man also brings a lot of experience to the table, having competed in the biggest competitions in Europe, with 2 Coppa Italia trophies, 1 Supercoppa Italiana, and 1 UEFA European Championship to show for it.
Also, you get a feeling that Toronto might need a few more leaders in the squad to get the players more motivated and stimulated, and that is exactly what Insigne is. He was captain of his boyhood club Napoli from 2019 till this year when he left. So, his leadership qualities have already been tried and tested on the big stage.
With these two huge additions to the squad, we expect Toronto F.C. to slowly but surely find their way back up the table and, at the very least, get into the final series play-offs.