ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – If it seems like a while since Toronto FC forward Jordan Hamilton was scoring the fastest goal in the USL’s history – at least among attacking players – that’s because it was.

Back then, the rookie was just beginning his ascent into the professional ranks on loan with Wilmington Hammerheads FC, for which he scored 18 seconds into its game on May 23, 2014 against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Now the 20-year-old is moving into his fourth professional season after recording five goals in 18 overall appearances for Toronto in 2016, and could be on the cusp of an even bigger breakthrough. At a club like defending MLS Eastern Conference champion TFC, though, the fight for minutes with the likes of U.S. international Jozy Altidore at the top of the depth chart continues to be an uphill one.

Hamilton, for his part, is philosophical about his situation.

“It’s the life of a young pro on a big team,” Hamilton said, “but they say the cream always rises to the top, so if I’m the cream I’ll be there one day.”

Hamilton’s performances have certainly indicated he has begun to dig deeper into the potential that saw him signed to an MLS deal at such a young age. One of MLSSoccer.com’s 10 Canadian players to watch this season alongside the likes of Jay Chapman, Anthony Jackson-Hamel and Alphonso Davies – all of whom have also seen time in the USL – Hamilton’s eye for goal and ability to stretch defenses is a welcome weapon for TFC Head Coach Greg Vanney.

“He clearly gets into games and can create some opportunities for himself,” said Vanney. “For me, Jordan has a continuing maturation process to fit within the team and the structure of the team so that the team can help him get goals, and he can get goals through team play, and maybe even set up some guys.

“We saw [on Saturday in preseason against the Chicago Fire] there were a couple of opportunities where he could have laid it off to somebody else for a good look. Instead, he took the extra touch and tried to score himself. It’s little things like that that he’ll continue to mature with, but he has the physical tools to be successful.”