In a small room at BMO Field, there is a photo of the Canadian men’s national team from a 2012 friendly at the lakeside stadium. Tucked in the top right corner of the team photo is then 21-year-old Ashtone Morgan, smiling politely, unaware of what the future holds. The former TFC academy product had received two call-ups to the national team by that point and was becoming a fixture in the 2012 TFC season, led by then-coach Aron Winter’s plan to get younger in a hurry.



What seemed like a promising career eventually stalled, as he would not again make anywhere close to the 42 total appearances he made in 2012. Coaches came and went, but none could force the longest-serving TFC player out. Ever the good soldier, Morgan stuck with the club, coming off the bench whenever needed, always with that smile polite smile. He kept his calm and waited.



Finally, on a Tuesday night that could easily rank as one of the wildest in BMO Field history, Morgan got his due. With...