By Canadian Press

Toronto FC says veteran defender Drew Moor unlikely to play Saturday in Seattle

Apr 10, 2019 | 1:08 PM

TORONTO — Defender Drew Moor is unlikely to play in Toronto FC’s game Saturday in Seattle due to a groin issue. And Brazilian fullback/wingback Auro is questionable.

Coach Greg Vanney said Moor felt the groin trouble early in last Saturday’s 2-2 tie with visiting Chicago but was able to get through the game.

“Given the circumstances and (the fact it’s) early in the season, it doesn’t make sense for us to push Drew too hard,” Vanney said after training Wednesday.

Auro missed the Chicago game with soreness in his semitendinosus muscle, located in the high hamstring area.

Holiday festivities

Ponoka's Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees begins next week

2h ago

Holiday charity

Pattison Media raises $28,000 for The Outreach Centre during Day of Holiday Hope radiothon

3h ago

Ending hunger

Canadian Foodgrains Bank highlights work at event in Red Deer

Nov 15, 2024

“Auro has to get through some things (Thursday) and if he does, then he might be available for the match,” said Vanney, who called the Brazilian questionable.

Neither Moor nor Auro practised with the team Wednesday.

The team leaves later in the day Thursday for Seattle.

Toronto has Laurent Ciman and Eriq Zavaleta able to step in for Moor at centre back alongside Chris Mavinga. Richie Laryea made his first start for Toronto against Chicago in Auro’s place at right fullback.

“Both Eriq and Ciman are due for some games and some minutes anyways,” Vanney said. “We’ve got to get them going so this is an opportunity for one if not both of them to get an opportunity.”

Vanney could start both Ciman and Zavaleta if he shifts to a back three in a 3-5-2 formation rather than a 4-4-2.

Ciman, a former MLS Defender of the Year who joined the team in the off-season, has made just one start this season — when Toronto fielded a back three in Philadelphia. Zavaleta, who was dealing with a shin injury, has yet to see action in the league this year.

Seattle was slated to play in Colorado on Wednesday but the match was postponed earlier in the day because of bad weather.

Toronto (3-0-1) and Seattle (4-0-1) are two of the four remaining unbeaten teams in Major League Soccer — along with Los Angeles FC (5-0-1) and the Houston Dynamo (3-0-1).

TFC has a career 3-8-2 record against the Sounders, including 2-4-1 in Seattle.

Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press