

Posted by

Steve Bottjer ,

June 4, 2015 Email

Steve Bottjer

On Twitter:

@BottjerRNO Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device



With Sebastian Giovinco rightly receiving plaudits left, right and center for his amazing performances for Toronto FC over the last several weeks, the less glamourous work that other players on the TFC roster have delivered can sometimes get lost amid all the commotion surrounding the Atomic Ant.



One such player who has done a phenomenal job for the Reds is 27 year old defender Justin Morrow.



While he might not play with the same super high level of flair as Giovinco, the job that Morrow has done has been just as important for a Toronto FC side that has recently found its form and moved up to 4th place in the Eastern Conference via a 3 game unbeaten run.



See also: Morrow adjusting to right back, new teammates



Interestingly, when Morrow was traded to Toronto FC following the 2013 season, his acquisition did not make many headlines given the fact that the former MLS All Star was acquired around the same time that Toronto FC rolled out its bloody big deal initiative centered on star players Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley.



Regardless, amid the fanfare that came with a 2014 campaign that featured Defoe and Bradley as the main figureheads, it was ultimately Morrow who established himself as Toronto’s most consistent player and arguably the squad’s Most Valuable Player.



He has not missed a beat in carrying over his excellent form from last season to the current iteration of the Reds.



Essentially, the Cleveland, Ohio native has firmly established himself as one of Toronto’s most important players, best ever acquisitions and as a big deal in his own right.



The Justin Morrow RB Experiment = unqualified success! #TFClive — Daniel Squizzato (@DanielSquizzato) May 30, 2015



Sebastian Giovinco is obviously terrific, but how important has Justin Morrow been thus far? — Devang Desai (@DesaiDevang) June 1, 2015 While Giovinco, Bradley and fellow Designated Player Jozy Altidore having dominated the headlines around the team to date this season, Morrow has quietly but confidently played a vital role in Toronto’s success.



After impressing greatly at his natural position of left back last season, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish product has been doing a massive job playing out of position at right back. In many ways, Toronto have turned around their season on the back of a run of improved defensive performances that have been spearheaded by the installation of Morrow at the right back position.



TFC Head Coach Greg Vanney had nothing but positive things to say about Morrow when he spoke ahead of Toronto’s match against D.C. United on Saturday.



“I think he has been amazing,” Vanney told media on Thursday. “When we first threw him there, I asked him if he had every played at right back and he said no. We knew it would be a bit uncomfortable for him but he quickly relied upon what he is very good at, which is defending.”



“He is starting to find his comfort zone over the last several matches, even with playing with his right foot and it being a little bit awkward on the right side,” Vanney added. “He’s been tremendous and outstanding defensively. He makes very good decisions at the position and he has even had some moments where he has really driven forward on his right foot and gotten up higher on the field. I couldn’t have asked for more with him stepping into a role that has been uncomfortable for him. He has been fantastic.”



Fellow defender Eriq Zavaleta was equally effusive in his praise of Morrow.



“Especially on a back line where Damian is new to the league and it is only my second year playing a lot of games in the league, I think it is really good to have a Justin Morrow who has been an All Star in this league and who been around this league and who understands it,” Zavaleta saiud. “At the end of the day he is a left back that has converted to a right back and he has done very well for himself and our team.”



With it being a certainty that Giovinco will continue to take away the breaths of TFC supporters with his rare talent, those with a deep understanding of the game will likely continue to be suitably impressed with the important qualities and professionalism that Morrow brings to the pitch every time suits up in a Toronto FC kit.