The roster expected to trot out for the season opener in Vancouver practiced together for the first time on Wednesday at the KIA Training Ground.

Newly minted captain Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco linked up with their teammates, who just returned from Orlando for a week long training stint, for a spirited training session.

Outside of Jackson, who remains in Brazil after the birth of his daughter, the whole squad was there. That’s a welcome change for Toronto FC, who have seen important players drift in at random times during past seasons. Here are some of the choice quotes from today’s media scrums.

Greg Vanney

His thoughts through the first two weeks of camp

“I’m pleased with how the group came in from a fitness standpoint. I think we’ve had a good two weeks. We’ve kept everybody healthy and we’re getting sharper as a group. Today, adding Michael, Sebastian and the guys back into the mix, you can immediately see the quality of the session go up."

What it’s like having a full squad ready to go so early

“It’s amazing. Everything the Board of Directors has gone through to get everybody here at this time is massive. No matter where you come from there’s an adaptation process. It’s getting settled into the city, getting your lifestyle organized and getting your family here plus going through preseason and getting used to the travel, the environment and your teammates - there’s always an adaptation process. You love to do that with three weeks before your first game."

On Jozy Altidore’s participation today

"He was doing assessments. We’ve already gone through movement screens with everyone else because they were in a little bit earlier. He was going through strength, mobility and flexibility tests. He could’ve trained but we wanted to get that baseline data so that we could have a plan for him going into the week."

When will Jackson arrive?

"We’ll see him when we get to Bradenton. He’ll be meeting us there."

Sebastian Giovinco (speaking through a translator)

His first impressions of the team and the training facilities compared to Juventus

“It’s been a very good day. My impressions of the team are good and the training session was difficult. Soccer in Canada is growing, as well as the infrastructure. In Italy there are big clubs with facilities that are a little bit better, but I love the grounds here. Everything you need is here.”

On his match fitness

“I’m feeling well. I’m not 100% yet because I haven’t played in a while, but I’m getting there."

Steven Caldwell

His reaction to losing the captaincy

“I’m disappointed, obviously. I’m a little upset about how it’s been handled, but it’s done right now. I love this club, I love this city and I feel like I gave my all as captain and a player every single day and I’ll continue to do that.

Good luck to Michael, I’ll be there to support him. The matter is finished for me now, in my opinion. I just want to concentrate on playing football.”

Jozy Altidore

How are you feeling?

I feel good. I felt a little bit of tightness in my hamstring [against Panama]. I felt the game was in a good place and [Jurgen Klinsmann] told me I didn’t have to continue if I didn’t want to."

How does it feel to be in Camp

“I’m excited. I was itching to get here and meet everybody, meet the boys and get into it. I can’t wait for the season to start.”

His thoughts on Bradley getting the armband

“I’m happy for him. There’s few people that have everything instilled in them from the get go like Michael has. It’s no surprise to me and I think he’s going to lead the team. It’s a huge honour.”

Michael Bradley

On the high tempo in practice

“It’s the beginning of a new season. Everybody is excited for what’s ahead. We’ve been given everything possible from the club and organization. It’s up to us to take ownership of it, to step on the field everyday, with the way that we train, the way that we compete and the way that push each other.

How has Giovinco fit in

“He’s fit in very well. Good players find ways to fit right in and he’s certainly a very good player. As we get to know each other a little bit better, as he becomes more comfortable in the group and locker room, it will only get better. I thought for his first day training with the group he didn’t waste anytime.

Which athletes outside of soccer inspire him as leaders

“Mark Messier, Kobe Bryant, even in an individual sport, the way Rafael Nadal competes, the way he leaves everything he has on the court. I always enjoy not just watching soccer, but everything and seeing what I can take from all of that."

Has he spoken to Caldwell about the captaincy

"He and I have had a great relationship since the first day I came to the club. The first thing I asked Greg, Tim and Tim yesterday was ‘how was Stevie?’ The first chance I got I called him. He was away, but we spoke last night on the phone and we spoke again this morning. As the preseason goes on I know there will be more time to get away and grab a coffee and catch up in a longer way. At the end of the day you need as many big personalities in your dressing room as possible."