March 30, 2011 MLS--Home Grown Standout Easing Into Toronto Lineup (from MLSscoccer.com)

Home Grown standout easing into Toronto lineup
Fullback Morgan can expect more minutes after MLS debut Saturday
Duane Rollins
MLSsoccer.com
March 30, 2011

TORONTO — As debuts go, Ashtone Morgan’s first action in MLS was interesting, if not lengthy.

The TFC Academy prospect was standing on the sidelines last weekend against Portland waiting to be subbed into the game for Mikael Yourassowsky when Yourassowsky was given a yellow card for time-wasting.

Confusion ensued as few people in the stadium realized it was his second yellow of the game. Now down to 10 men, Toronto head coach Aron Winter was forced to rethink his strategy, and Morgan’s debut was delayed.

Morgan said that he didn’t mind. He was just glad that a whirlwind week that involved flying to and from Guatemala, where he was with the Canadian U-20 team, ended with his MLS debut.

“I didn’t know what was happening,” he said of the aborted substitution attempt. “I was just confused with the red card, but it was all right. I got on later.”

Although the attacking fullback only saw the pitch for the game’s final minute plus stoppage time last Saturday, there is a good chance he’ll get a better look this coming Saturday against Chivas USA.

With Yourassowsky facing a one-game suspension, Winter said Morgan would be held back by the club from rejoining the U-20s and given every opportunity to earn a starting role with the senior team.

Morgan says he’s excited by the chance he’s getting.

“It’s good to know that the coaches have confidence in me and my game,” he said. “It was good to be able to get in there and play my game.”

As to what kind of game that is, Morgan says it’s one that fits Winter’s style well.

“It’s a good fit,” he said. “I like to get up into attacking positions. I’m looking forward to showing the fans what I can do.”

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