Ashtone Morgan had caught Greg Vanney’s eye.

“I remember Ash a few years back when he was much younger,” said TFC’s head coach following Sunday night’s loss to Real Salt Lake.

“He was aggressive. From a distance I’m like ‘who is this kid?’ He likes to get forward, attack, he’s dangerous, he’s quick.”

Morgan burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old in the CONCACAF Champions League, starring for TFC in a 1-0 win over Panama’s Árabe Unido on Oct. 20, 2010. The TFC Academy star hadn’t signed a professional contract yet, but it was clearly only a matter of time.

“I came into the game nervous and didn’t know what to expect,” said Morgan following that game. “But I just settled into the match early and feel I proved myself.”

Years later Morgan is approaching 100 caps for Toronto FC. His route to that milestone hasn’t been smooth.

He emerged as the starting left back at the end of the 2011 season. In 2014 he was supplanted by Justin Morrow, one of the league’s top fullbacks. Morgan made only two appearances last season for the Reds. His confidence waned.

This season Morgan remains the second choice behind Morrow, but the 24-year-old entered the preseason with renewed purpose. At the end of the 2014 campaign Vanney and the coaching staff gave the Canadian a checklist to complete during the offseason. He did that. They sent him down to Charleston on loan with Toronto FC II to get starting minutes. He did that as well.

On Sunday night, he started against Real Salt Lake alongside Warren Creavalle, Nick Hagglund and Clement Simonin. Even the most optimistic supporter was concerned about the lack of professional experience among the starting back four.

Morgan was the veteran of the group and it showed. He was aggressive attacking down the left flank and linked up well with Robbie Findley and Sebastian Giovinco. When the flow of the game turned in the second half it was because Morgan and Giovinco set up shop in RSL’s end.

Morgan played with the same blend of confidence and aggression he showed nearly five years ago against Árabe Unido.

Where did the confidence come from?

“I got it from the coaching staff,” said Morgan on Tuesday. “They believe in me. I had all the support from my teammates and the coaches.”

“It felt good to be out there and show everybody that I’m still here.”

Morgan’s status on the team was in flux last season under Ryan Nelsen. Under Vanney, it’s clear he has a place on this team.

“Every footballer goes through their tough times and it’s about how you rebound and how you get back out of that place. I saw through it. I’m on to a new coach with Greg and it’s been positive so far.”

With Morrow’s return this week it’s probable Morgan will be on the bench for Saturday’s game versus the Chicago Fire. Expect him to be ready when his next opportunity arises.