Why Toronto FC should go after Will Johnson by David Rouben

After a strong showing with Toronto FC II this past season, Toronto FC have decided to send young keeper, Quillan Roberts, on trial to German side Werder Bremen so he can gain valuable training time.

With Toronto FC declining the options of both Joe Bendik and Chris Konopka last week, the club have decided to send talented young shot stopper Quillan Roberts to Germany and train with Werder Bremen’s U-23 squad for one week.

TFC’s official site said the move to Bremen, “encompasses several things: his training and diet habits, his work in the gym and the rest he needs when he goes home for the day. All of these facets, when learned and managed properly, will translate to better performances on the field,” said TFC goalie coach John Conway.

Although this move will help Roberts get into a professional rhythm of training, this will also put him up against some top European talents that will help him going into next season.

The club also said former captain and current Bremen assistant coach, Torsten Frings, played a key part in having Roberts invited.

This move to Germany can only be good news for Roberts, who did only manage to earn a 3-7-5 record for TFC II in their first USL season, but did put up four shutouts in 15 starts and was always making key saves to try and keep his team in the game.

“Q has done a great job of continually learning what it’s like to be a professional goalkeeper,” said Conway.

This isn’t the first time a TFC player has earned a trial with the German team, as both Collen Warner and Justin Morrow earned time with Werder Bremen last season, and both seemed to have really stepped up their games this past season, thanks to the training they received.

Seeing that the first team will likely give Roberts and Alex Bono a chance to start next season, the move to play for a top German team will give Roberts that edge to grow his already promising career.