Toronto FC Season Grades: Victor Vazquez

Tip of the Tower continues their season grades for Toronto FC. This time, we focus on attacking midfielder Victor Vazquez.

When looking at Toronto FC, it’s incredible to cosnider the amount of talent that increases each time you view the starting lineup. First thoughts would be to glimpse at Alex Bono and Justin Morrow, but it’s hard to ignore what the attacking front brought to the North this past year.

Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore took all the praise they got and rightfully deserved. However, the stars’ stats likely wouldn’t be possible if Victor Vazquez wasn’t supplying them from his attacking midfield position.

It’s hard to believe that someone could say Vazquez is technically past his prime years, because this past season sure didn’t look like it. The Barcelona native’s impeccable dribbling technique helped TFC establish their dominate possession game in the opponent’s end.

Vazquez’ stats do not lie. The 30-year-old collected 16 helpers this season, which was good for second in the MLS. Critics could argue he only fed Giovinco and Altidore, but that in all is apart of Greg Vanney’s game plan.

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Plus, dividing up the numbers suggests just how critical Vazquez is to the Reds, regardless of the two superstars they hold. Six of Vazquez’ assists eventually led to game-winning goals, while he produced a solid seven assists away from BMO Field.

There’s no signs of slowing down from the Spaniard. Scoring 10 goals in all competitions in 2017 with a near 3,000 minutes logged is just remarkable, considering the position Vazquez occupies.

Vazquez developed with Barcelona B, and you could tell this season that he still had some Barca talent in him. The midfielder’s importance of finding space and exploiting with short and quick passes is something the best club in the world and TFC’s Vazquez have in common.

Vanney loves the Barcelona style Vazquez brings to Canada. The coach goes on to tell Sportsnet that:

"“Victor’s given us a really different look.“He has an ability to play at a high speed and with ideas that are faster than anyone else.”"

The future is tough to see with Victor. This season will probably be the most crucial of them all, as it might determine as to whether or not Vazquez can hold up in the Reds’ system for consecutive seasons.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Vazquez go on for another couple of years. But, if he can put up the performances that he did with Toronto FC in their MLS Cup run, then he might be wearing red until the day he retires.

Rating: 8.5/10

Next: TFC back line receives a big boost

Do you agree with the rating of Vazquez? Can he feed the same stat line for Toronto FC in 2018, that he did in the championship season? Let us know in the comments section below.