January 17, 2011 MLS--Frei High On Omphroy (from MLSsoccer.com)

Frei High On Omphroy
Toronto keeper believes new flank-man will add to attack.
Duane Rollins
MLSsoccer.com
January 17, 2011

TORONTO — Toronto FC keeper Stefan Frei says he expects that second-round pick Demitrius Omphroy will make a positive impression on and off the pitch in 2011. Frei played with Omphroy at UC Berkeley and has stayed in touch with the fullback since joining Toronto in 2009.

“He’s just a very positive guy,” Frei said. “Even as a freshman (at Cal) he and his roommate Davis Paul were always making videos, cracking jokes. He’s just a good person to be around and he’ll be popular in the dressing room.”

That’s not to say that Omphroy can’t play a little too, Frei says. As a converted striker and midfielder, Omphroy might provide the Reds with a weapon that have not often had in past seasons.

“He’s a good player overall that’s very interested in getting forward. He’s comfortable on the ball and can get the cross in. That’s something we need.”

Toronto have struggled to create width in their attack, and it’s mostly been because they lacked the personal to do so. “We’ve tried to push the outside backs to go forward, but if they aren’t comfortable doing it, it’s hard.”

Omphroy told MLSsoccer.com last week that he is always interested in joining the attack. He indicated that it was that side of his game that he was most confident in.

With above average speed, it’s likely that Omphroy will be compared to former TFC defender Marvell Wynne. Frei says that although Omphroy can outrun defenders like Wynne, he doesn’t rely on his speed as much as the current Colorado Rapids player does.

“He doesn’t have the same speed as Marvell, but he is strong on the ball,” Frei said. “He’s got great control with the ball at his feet and is always looking to create something.”

back to TFC 2011 preseason menu

.

.