Maximiliano Urruti missed a sitter in training.

From five metres, Toronto FC’s long-term target, who trained with the Reds for the first time Wednesday, smacked a close-range effort off the crossbar.

The aforementioned sequence led some — namely myself — to joke that the 22-year-old Argentine will almost certainly be a bust.

An over-analyzation? Yes. Bad humour? Absolutely.

But likely not far off from how fans will react if Toronto’s long-time target fails to live up to billing from the outset.

Although he’s expected to travel to Columbus on Saturday, the only thing currently holding up the deal becoming official is an outside entity, according to TFC head coach Ryan Nelsen.

“His club’s (Old Boys) going through some issues, some legal issues,” Nelsen said.

Back in April, when the Reds were originally hoping to bring Urruti aboard, Nelsen mentioned Urruti’s former employer was going through administration, meaning the club’s financial woes were starting to creep into the picture.

“That’s why it has to go through a third party, which makes it more difficult,” Nelsen said following Wednesday’s training. “That’s why it’s been held up for so long. (Urruti) has had to suffer a wee bit.”

Toronto FC, too.

“About six months ago we were hoping he would play,” Nelsen said. “I was told about six months ago (a deal) was done. I can’t say anything at the moment. Crazy things happen, but we’d like to say it’s close to done.”

With Urruti participating in full training at the club’s Kia Training Ground Wednesday, it’s safe to say the club’s simply waiting for the ink to dry.

So ends a six-month saga that’s only served to build up the hype surrounding a player that enters the second half of the MLS season with lofty expectations hanging over his head.

From the fans, that is, but not from the front office.

“There are no expectations from me,” Nelsen said of the hype surrounding his latest signing — scratch that — ‘potential signing.’

“I don’t know what was said in the past, but for me (Urruti’s) a young player and is coming to another country … These guys take time. I don’t expect him to set the world on fire. He’s got to find his own feet.

“Whether that happens in Columbus on Saturday or in a few weeks or a couple of months down the road, that doesn’t effect my thinking. We’re here for the long run with these type of players.”

In Urruti’s case, Nelsen sees a player who’ll be around for the long haul, much like Matias Laba, who’s quietly growing into one of the most well-respected young players in the league.

On the field, Urruti offers something up front TFC hasn’t had throughout most of its history — a player with enough individual ability to create things for himself and others.

“He always seems to get on the end of things and he has a good work habit,” Nelsen said of Urruti. “His technical ability is very good. He ticked a lot of boxes (at an) age where you obviously haven’t seen the best of him.”

Or any of him, for that matter. Urruti wasn’t available for comment Wednesday.

But with Urruti’s transfer soap opera said to be wrapping up, look for the Argentine to travel to Columbus ahead of the weekend and potentially make his first appearance as a sub.

“I’m not going to throw the guy in the deep end,” Nelsen said. “It’s all for the best for the player and getting used to the league and the travel.”

That, and getting used to what could be an over-critical crowd due to the hype this drawn out transfer ordeal has built among some supporters.

TFC ACADEMY KICKAROUND

Canada’s under-18 men’s national team fell to Argentina 2-0 in its second match at the COTIF tournament in Spain on Wednesday.

Despite the South Americans going down to 10 men in the 13th minute, Argentine striker Sebastian Driussi opened the scoring just before halftime.

Toronto FC Academy graduate Manny Aparicio, who just last week was promoted to TFC’s first team, was sent off on the hour mark before Argentina’s Matias Sanchez made it 2-0 to cap the scoring.

Toronto FC Academy midfielder Dylan Sacramento is also with Canada’s U18s but didn’t feature Wednesday.

Currently on three points after two games, Canada next faces Bulgaria on Thursday, followed by a final group game against Belarus.