One of the most burning questions ahead of this year’s MLS Cup Final game between Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders is whether Jozy Altidore will recover in time. And, while we won’t get the definitive answer until the game day, it seems like the answer is no.
Altidore hasn’t been on the field since early October and has missed Toronto’s all three playoff games. Although it has been recently reported that he might return in time for the showdown against Sounders, the 29-year-old wasn’t all that optimistic when asked about his status on Monday.
“It’s been a while. At this point, it’ll take a little bit of a miracle to be out there on Sunday,” – Altidore told reporters. “But that’s where I am. And I’ve just got to try to keep trying to get myself there.”
Toronto’s head coach Greg Vanney, on the other hand, is a bit more positive about Altidore’s availability and intends to have him practice with the first team in the next couple of days.
“We hope, within the next few days,” – said Vanney when asked when will Altidore return to practice. “We’ve got eight more days to get him going. The more fitness and high-speed running that we can get him, the more prepared he’ll be. We can push back striking for a few more days.”
While Toronto is evidently doing just fine without Jozy Altidore, having him on the field would undoubtedly give them a huge advantage over Seattle. Altidore played 22 games in MLS this season, contributing with 11 goals and seven assists.
