Toronto FC: What Does Armando Cooper Bring to TFC?
By Paul Taylor
Toronto FC finally manage to get the attacking midfielder they’ve been searching for, but does Armando Cooper have what it takes to succeed in MLS?
Toronto FC‘s search for an attacking midfielder is over, at least for now. As confirmed by the club themselves on Thursday, they have signed Armando Cooper on loan.
The loan deal lasts until the end of the 2016 season, although TFC have the option to extend it into 2017. Cooper will join the team, pending receipt of his Canadian work permit.
Talking about the signing, general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said: “Armando is a versatile midfielder who can play multiple positions and add depth to our roster. His range of experience with both club and country will be an asset as we continue our push for the playoffs.”
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Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney had similar thoughts about the Panamanian international, when speaking to Sportsnet‘s Jon Molinaro and the rest of the media: “Armando is a very good player, very versatile.
“He’s played on the wing, he’s played in the middle of the midfield, he’s played right back; he’s played a number of positions. He comes with a lot of experience.”
So what exactly does Cooper bring to Toronto and how can he help the team? Certainly, his versatility is an asset, especially for a roster which has suffered more than its fair share of injuries this year.
The fact the 28-year old has extensive experience at international level also helps, with 74 caps and five goals since making his debut in 2006. He played for Panama at the 2016 Copa América Centenario, and previously participated in the 2011 & 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Vanney has no doubt his new addition will adapt quickly to life in North America: “He’s a guy who’s been to Europe, he’s had to live outside of his country, he’s played in plenty of CONCACAF countries to know what it’s like.”
Cooper’s signing comes at an opportune time, with Benoit Cheyrou taking longer than expected to recover from his hamstring injury. The thinking is that he will provide an effective link with Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore in attack.
The Colón, Panama native was brought in as a discovery signing. As Molinaro explained, the rules surrounding foreign players in MLS can sometimes seem ambiguous, especially when you consider Cooper was signed after the August 3rd transfer deadline.
Regardless, Toronto FC took advantage to bring in a player they have been tracking for some time. As Vanney said: “Armando is a player we were watching over the course of this last (transfer) window.
“We were in discussions with him, and the discussions kept going on and on, and obviously down to the wire. We were finally able to get it done through some interesting mechanisms that I’ve not really seen.”
We now wait to see if Cooper was worth all the effort it took to get him on board. TFC fans should get their first opportunity to see him in action either next Wednesday or Saturday, depending upon when he receives his work permit.
Next: TFC not in the clear yet with injuries
How familiar are you with Cooper? In your opinion, does he fit the bill of the attacking midfielder TFC have been looking for? Let us know in the comments section below.