Toronto FC: Drew Moor has no intention of going anywhere else

Drew Moor has been a vital component in defence for Toronto FC and if he has his way, he’ll still be playing in Southern Ontario next season.

When Toronto FC first signed Drew Moor following the 2015 season, the move arguably didn’t get enough publicity. Yes, he was coming off his first All-Star selection and knew what it took to win the MLS Cup, but still, his acquisition seemed somewhat underappreciated.

This is no longer the case, after Moor’s contributions during the last season and a half. Nowadays, TFC and their fans must thank their lucky stars for having the veteran defender on their team.

Consider that the season before the 33-year-old arrived, the Reds were a disaster at the back, after allowing a league-high 58 goals. Last year this all changed, as the defence had a stunning ascent, to become the second-stingiest unit in MLS.

Yes, signing the likes of Clint Irwin and Steven Beitashour helped. But make no mistake about it – Moor was the steadying influence Toronto FC desperately needed.

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The 2017 campaign has been slightly tougher for the 2005 sixth overall draft pick, due to missing seven games with a minor heart issue. Regardless, he’s still been as solid as ever when available, helping TFC tie for the third-best defence in the league.

With this in mind, it’s no surprise to hear Toronto FC want Moor to return next year. In fact, negotiations over a new contract have already begun, with his current deal set to expire at the end of this season.

In that respect, the Dallas, Texas native himself would prefer to stay with Toronto. Speaking to Sportsnet‘s John Molinaro, Moor said:

"“I still want to be here. This is such an amazing organization that has given me so much. Obviously, they have as difficult a time as (any MLS club) in terms of getting their salary cap space in the right spot… The conversation has been started and I’m very positive that it’ll go in the direction that I want it to, which would be me remaining in Toronto.”"

In some respects, Moor’s preference may surprise some people. However, at his age and fast approaching 350 regular season games, he’s nearer the end than the beginning, so his main priority at this point is to enjoy himself in a winning environment.

Certainly, playing in Toronto offers this very setup. Of course, agreeing on Moor’s salary is easier said than done, but giving the desires of both the player and the club, he should once again be lining up regularly at BMO Field next year.

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How important is Moor to TFC? More to the point, how do you measure his impact, since joining the Reds ahead of the 2016 season? Further, is there any moment that stands out for you in particular, when discussing the defender? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.