Toronto FC's new goalkeeping coach Mike Toshack is delighted to have the opportunity of working for Canada's first MLS team. The Ontario native returns to his homeland to join the Reds after three years working with the Houston Dynamo.
"It's a fantastic move for me," said Toshack. "Being a Canadian and seeing the way the club is going, it's something that I really want to be a part of. For me it's very exciting to come and work here. When I got into the professional game I always thought I would be working in the United States or somewhere else in the world, but it's great to have such a professional club here at home. It's first class, and I'm thrilled that I can be a part of it."
Toshack is looking forward to working alongside John Carver and the rest of the TFC coaching team. "It's a small world in the coaching profession," he said. "I know a couple of people who have worked with John Carver; Simon Smith at Newcastle United and Tony Caig a goalkeeper I worked with at Houston. They both had great things to say about John. From my days at Houston, I know he's a great competitor. I've met Chris Cummins and got on well with him. I'm looking forward to working alongside Paul Winsper, and I have a connection with Nick Dasovic. For me it's a really good environment to come into."
Toshack was on the coaching staff with Nick Dasovic at the Vancouver Whitecaps and has also worked with Reds goalkeeper Greg Sutton. "I know Greg really well. I coached at St. Lawrence University in New York and had Greg for four years there. Then I worked with him at the professional level at the Montreal Impact where we enjoyed some success," explained Toshack. "He's become a great goalkeeper. He's always had a tremendous athletic ability and a good work rate and now you see him maturing into a first class goalkeeper."
With Sutton's experience and Brian Edwards coming off the back of an impressive rookie season, Toshack is pleased with the talent he will be working with. "It's a great situation to have two goalkeepers who are at a high level and I have to do my part to help them be the best they can be. I remember Brian from the combine when we were scouting for Houston and he was very impressive coming out of college. He was able to come here and has done quite well. It's not often you get first year goalkeepers in MLS play the number of games he has so it says something about him and his character and ambitions," said Toshack.
To see Mike Toshack's full bio, click here.
