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Toronto FC’s fifth season is coming to a close in the coming weeks, and with playoff hopes extinguished, the Reds look to CONCACAF play for a chance at salvation. Sitting in third with six points, Toronto take on Pumas UNAM from Mexico on Tuesday. Toronto’s Champions League ambitions will be realized with a win, and will more than likely be forgotten with a loss. With the pressure mounting on Aron Winter’s shoulders, the return of the young Ecuadorian Joao Plata will help ease some of the weight.
At times, Joao Plata has single-handedly won games in this competition for Toronto. They’ll need him again on Tuesday night, if victory is to be attained. We had a chance to speak to Plata (in Spanish, translated for your reading pleasure), and he shared some of his thoughts about his first season with Toronto, and the upcoming Champions League match.
“I’m very content, very happy being here,” says Plata. It’s his first season after being drafted late in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft – Toronto took a gamble, and both parties are pleased. Plata has enjoyed a solid season in MLS play – 3 goals and 5 assists overall. His recent injury to his hamstring sidelined him for a few games, but Plata is now back.
“I’m feeling much better, I have nothing really.”
“It depends on my coach to play me, otherwise I’m ready to play on Tuesday and to help the team win this game against Pumas.”
Plata is visibly excited for the game. The typical clichés was thrown out the window – he is passionate and raring to go.
“I know it’s going to be very, very difficult. I’m fired up to play against Pumas and I have a lot of desire to win – we’ve got to win! Si porque si!”
Though Plata is healthy once again, Aron Winter would be wise to keep him on the bench. Plata’s best performances have arguably come when he’s substituted off the bench. His energy and pace late on could be the difference maker for Toronto. He’s gotten a lot of playing time for someone so young, and Plata knows just how rare that chance is.
“I knew it would be difficult, but not impossible,” he says about the amount of playing time he received this season. “I set a goal to myself to do the right things, and this way I’d get further in my career. I thank God for this and I hope to continue like this.”
A year ago, the chance to play against MLS or Mexican sides would be a distant dream – now, Plata plays against the likes of David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Mexican international Juan Francisco Palencia from Pumas. We asked Plata which opposition he found easier to play against, MLS or Latin American sides:
“Neither,” he replies. “There are no easy games to play, no one gives you anything, you have to work really hard in order to make it big.”
Plata also talked to us about his experience playing for Ecuador. “I thank God I had that opportunity [to play for Ecuador] and I hope to work hard so they call me up again!”
Being capped at that level, Plata’s value skyrockets in the eyes of his former employers, LDU Quito. MLS rules, however, have given Toronto the right of first refusal, and Plata wants them to pick up his option.
“I’ve got one year left with a buyout option. I still don’t know [if I’ll stay] but I hope the coaches keep me.”
We concluded the interview, but Plata had a message for his fans:
“I’m so grateful to all my fans. Thank you so much for all the support you gave me.”
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