It’s been a tale of two seasons for Kyle Bekker and Jonathan Osorio.
The two Canadian midfielders signed for Toronto FC at the beginning of the year and have enjoyed two drastically different seasons with the club. Osorio slotted into the starting line up right away, while Bekker took his time and found his stride at the end of the year.
With their first full season under their belts, RedNation Online caught up with the Canadian duo. In a season with plenty of highs and lows, the one moment during the season most resonates with Osorio is one game he influenced personally.
“My one big moment was against Philadelphia. That was my favourite, my favourite goal of the season and my favourite game of the season,” said Osorio. “I think it was one of my best performances. Unfortunately, the game didn’t end the way we wanted but at the time it was such a great feeling, when we thought we had it.”
Bekker, though, remembered the season less fondly. When asked if there was a moment that stands out for him, Bekker lamented on his lack of playing time, instead.
“No, it’s been a tough year, so nothing really stood out,” said Bekker, regarding outstanding moments of the year. “I was just trying to get on the field and take my chance, so any time I got to play, I guess.”
The two players came into MLS for their first year with Toronto FC. As rookies, Osorio and Bekker were given different amounts of playing time. Osorio played in 28 games, starting 18. He scored five goals in the regular season and had one assist. Bekker played in nine games, three as a starter – he recorded zero goals and zero assists but was infamous for hitting the crossbar from long-range shots.
Both Osorio and Bekker earned call-ups to the Canadian national team, too. The duo continues to develop as professional footballers. When asked if they felt they met any of their personal goals this season, they had varying answers.
“Yeah, my main, main personal goal was to get playing time and become a starter,” said Osorio. “The goals, I don’t really focus on the goals. My main thing is just putting out good performances and I think I did meet those goals.”
“It was tough,” said Bekker. “I just wanted to come in and get the first year out of the way, get my feet in and see what it’s all about. Now I just want to move forward.”
As part of Nelsen’s squad moving forward, both Osorio and Bekker fill roles as young, capable midfielders. Osorio believes that success next season is well on its way.
“We need to build off this year, and learn from our mistakes,” said Osorio, of the 2014 season. “Next year we’ll know what to do in certain situations; we won’t start off slow at the beginning of the game, we won’t let in goals in the 90th minute four times in a row, stuff like that.”
Bekker also offered his take on the major factors to success next season.
“We’ve just got to have a strong offseason and keep working,” said Bekker. “It’s just been two games at the end of the season but hopefully I’ve shown something and can come in next year and do well.”
Part of that potential success will fall on the shoulders of a pair of potential Designated Player. Osorio, an attacking midfielder, would need to link up with a new pair of forwards, and offered his take on what kind of DPs Toronto should be searching for.
“I would like a player that likes to play, that comes to the holes and plays one-twos,” said Osorio. “Someone that’s a clinical finisher. Kudos to our forwards, they were doing exactly that [against Montreal].”
Against the Impact, Earnshaw and Dike certainly connected well. Bekker praised Montreal’s players for their performance, while also summing up his feelings on starting in the last two games of the year.
“I think they were good. It’s always tough playing, when the last few games we’ve played against playoff teams,” said Bekker. “They’re obviously sharp. Not having as many games as I’d like, it is difficult, but I think I did well. I just wanted to go in and keep everything simple and gain some confidence and I think I’ve done that, so that’s good.”
Finally, Osorio and Bekker spoke about their plans for the offseason. Bekker wasn’t sure exactly where he would be going, including a potential loan spell. Osorio, though, will be sticking around in his hometown, and brave the cold.
“I’ve got to go with the national team in mid-November but after that, yeah, I’m going to stay home!”
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