Although there are more questions than answers for how exactly Toronto FC II depth will look in the 2017 season, we are starting to have a clearer picture of what the future will hold for the starting XI.

Defenders Mitchell Taintor and Anthony Osorio both had their contract options picked up for the 2017 season. Mitchell Taintor, an American 2016 MLS SuperDraft pick, made 23 appearances last season, and will likely feature in 2017 depending on who Toronto selects in the upcoming draft. Anthony Osorio, the younger brother of Jonathan Osorio who played a vital role in the first team’s 2016 season, is continuing to develop as a talented defender-making 24 starts in the 2016 season.

Canadian midfielder Luca Uccello had his contract option picked up, which is no surprise to anyone. After playing off the bench in Toronto FC’s preseason friendly match in 2016 against California State University Fullerton, he had a successful season with 20 appearances and 3 goals. At only 19 years of age, the Toronto FC administration will be looking forward to continued development and hoping to convert Uccello’s potential into first-team results in the next few years. American midfielder Brian James will also be returning for his second season with TFC II-he played in 29 of Toronto FC II’s 30 games this last season, as well as replacing Daniel Lovitz for the final six minutes of the 4-2 semi-final first leg win over Montreal Impact in the Canadian Championship.

Trinidadian striker Ricardo John is returning in 2017 for his first full season with Toronto FC II. John’s signing was announced August 4th of 2016, with only two months of the season left. This was enough time for the 21-year-old to make an impact however, as he managed 3 goals in his 4 appearances prior to the end of the season. Canadian striker Raheem Edwards returns to play in the 2017 season. Edwards proved himself as one of TFC II’s most effective strikers, equaling Shaan Hundal’s 6 goals this season. Edwards also made an appearance in the Canadian Championship, coming on for Jonathan Osorio in the second half of the second leg of the final-as well as making his MLS debut on July 2, 2016 against Seattle. With Edwards at 21 years of age, and Shaan Hundal-already on contract for the 2017 season, at the tender age of 17; Toronto FC has a lot to look forward to in their young striker team for TFC II.

Aidan Daniels, Malik Johnson, and Liam Fraser are already under contract for the 2017 season, and the club has re-signed Bubacarr Jobe to a USL contract. Daniels, Johnson, and Fraser are 18 and Jobe is 22, making TFC II’s team once again a very youthful crop with what will hopefully be a great future. 7 of the 11 players confirmed for the 2017 season are Canadian, so if Toronto FC is able to capitalize on their development system-there is hope that a future Toronto FC team will better represent the great white north.

Management has not exercised the option on midfielder Martin Davis and will allow defenders Skylar Thomas and Wesley Charpie and midfielders Adam Bouchard and Sal Bernal to become free agents at year’s end.

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Nathanael Martin Nathanael is a Political Theory MA graduate Not-For-Profit Professional who spends way too much of his time reading about, writing on, and watching the beautiful game. After playing soccer throughout childhood, his love was rekindled when Toronto FC gave him the opportunity to cheer for a local soccer team on the national stage. Since then, he has become passionate about Canadian soccer and the development of Canadian players through the Toronto Academy system and other branches of Canadian soccer.

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