Thanks & Memories - Ashton Morgan Appreciation Thread

[OgtheDim]

Dude has gone

One of the last who will remember the bad old days.

One of the few who got to see some great days too.


A reminder of our shared past


All the best sir, all the best

[jabbronies]

wow - didn't see that coming. Seriously, I always thought they would just keep him on just because.

[Ultra & Proud]

Will never forget his contributions in the 2018 CCL run.

[OgtheDim]

Will never forget his contributions in the 2018 CCL run.

Eric G from the club just put this video out there


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=h3f7Q8zxUhE&feature=emb_l ogo

[michaeltfc91]

This is an unbelievably stupid move from TFC. How can you get rid of a hometown kid who's been here 10 seasons for literally NO REASON. Such a piss off, we're losing all our homegrown Canadians. Hamilton, Chapman, Morgan gone for nothing

[notthesun]

Eric G from the club just put this video out there


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=h3f7Q8zxUhE&feature=emb_l ogo

Top 5 all-time TFC goal and the best play of Morgan's career. Love it.

I hope he finds a good spot for himself.

edit: Hadn't seen he's going to RSL. Hope he gets some decent minutes there.

[benito]

Thank you Ashtone for all your years of service and good luck in RSL!

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/21/real-salt-lake-sign-former-toronto-fc-defender-ashtone-morgan (https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/21/real-salt-lake-sign-former-toronto-fc-defender-ashtone-morgan)

[OgtheDim]

When watching games at BMO and Ashtone is on the field I have determined we are playing with either at 9.25 men or 9.50 men.
we are definitely not playing with 10 men.
I'm not being mean I am trying to give an objective reality as I see it, and this is my opinion.


DUDE

This is an appreciation thread

Do better

[Ultra & Proud]

He was fine for a bench player and in a perfect world would have been here for his whole career. Hopefully he works his way into their line up.

[stevep]

DUDE

This is an appreciation thread

Take this somewhere else

I never read the fine print. I deleted my post

[ensco]

This is sad. I will always love the guy. I don't know what to say, so I just cut and pasted some things I said before:

From 2015:


I have always had faith in Morgan. He blew me away in 2012 when he was assigned Donovan in the CCL, and totally handled him. Never understood what happened to him more recently, and am thrilled he is back in and doing the job.

I hope this continues for a long time. We need a guy to be the glue, a 10 year heart and soul vet. Who better than a local kid with class?

From 2017:


Great goal, calmly taken on the volley.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=PEowjNrrynM

So happy for our guy.

From 2018:


Ashtone Morgan gave us stellar performances throughout the CCL run.

Special hat tip to him - all those injuries and he just stuck with it - he gave us 90 minutes at the Azteca, and 90 minutes at Chivas, and never got beat once.

What a great player.

[MikeForbes]

He isn't an iconic player or anything, but there has never been a player more loyal to TFC. He did his job to the best of his abilities and that is all we can ask of any player.

[Auzzy]

Wow, so sad, goodbye "Mr. TFC." From Northern Secondary School (where he was known as an absolutely top-notch kid, and where my daughter is now) to the lows and the highs of the TFC Academy, TFC II & TFC. Absolute pro and a super-nice guy. In addition to competition for the position, he was unfortunately hampered by injuries in recent years. Hopefully Ashtone is able to reignite his career for a couple more years at RSL; he's still only 28.

[DavemTFC]

It's going to feel so, so wrong seeing him playing for someone else but I hope he kills it.

From everything I've heard/read/seen on him, he has to be one of the league's greatest locker room guys. No matter what he's already a club legend in my mind

[Initial B]

Our club historian has left us. I remember him and Henry being the two skinny teenagers who gave us hope that the club was improving through the dark early days. I wish him all the best in his new adventure.

[jazzy]

This is an unbelievably stupid move from TFC. How can you get rid of a hometown kid who's been here 10 seasons for literally NO REASON. Such a piss off, we're losing all our homegrown Canadians. Hamilton, Chapman, Morgan gone for nothing
Because there is NO ONE Canadian calling the shots let alone from TO , are cares about the soccer team in mgmt . This has to end . Best of all we still have the nephew Zaveleta

[jazzy]

DUDE

This is an appreciation thread

Do better

exactly .....the man apparently didn’t watch the career of one our only and best crossers since the beginning when no one had faith in him . But being the pro and gentleman he is Ashton simply never gave up . Always shy and quick to smile , a local boy with quality parents who played soccer at a high school that ended the team one year , Northern . AND he made it professionally against all odds . He was the soul of our team and Canadian , not a star but dignified with unrelenting effort everyday waiting to prove himself often , put on cold .

[MightyDM]

Ashtone delivered on the biggest stage when it mattered the most. We sometimes forget that he had untimely injuries that hampered his development - one year (2015?) he was converted to wingback and was playing very well before he got hurt, for example - and never complained, just got on with it.

I wish him well and I hope we all do. Really sad that we cannot find a way to keep a player of his mentality, who can rise to the occasion like he did in the CCL yet still accept being a back up - when we are going to need to replace him anyway. Shortsighted of management. He’s the kind of player that matters, that you keep.

[Oldtimer]

Do people here realize that Ashton Morgan is a free agent? He chose to go to RSL. Probably wants more playing time. He deserves the chance.

[MightyDM]

Do people here realize that Ashton Morgan is a free agent? He chose to go to RSL. Probably wants more playing time. He deserves the chance.

TFC didn’t renew his option so they could save $25,000. That’s how he became a free agent.

[sidvan]

Big thanks to Ashtone for all his contributions over his tenure here. A little early but what about a pre-game cheer June 27th when RSL is in town?

[C.Ronaldo]

its not gonnna be easy to find BIG game ready depth like ashton who wanting to be here.

[Rocket Robin]

I'm pretty sure I caught his and TFC Academy's first game back in 2008 in the semi-pro league against Toronto Croatia who'd won the title the year before.

http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports08/08csl008.htm

[jloome]

This is an unbelievably stupid move from TFC. How can you get rid of a hometown kid who's been here 10 seasons for literally NO REASON. Such a piss off, we're losing all our homegrown Canadians. Hamilton, Chapman, Morgan gone for nothing

They probably lowballed him as a backup.

He knows his value. I still think he's a platoon-level fullback at least.

Stupid loss, same as Tosaint last year. Cheap, effective Canadian players.

[magmadragon]

Even if he's someone who never sees the field, you keep a solid guy like him around. You can afford that spot on him - a guy who keeps the locker room together.

I would have loved for him to play his whole career here and retired a Red. All the best Mr. TFC.

[ensco]

I have not seen that much of Toia since he left Montreal, but I have a prediction. Ashtone is going to be RSL's first choice at FB by mid season.

[TFC/Everton]

2012: Toronto FC vs LA Galaxy at SkyDome. 50,000 in attendance to see TFC draw LA 2-2. He was a big part of that game and our first CCL run.

Back then, we thought Morgan could be the next great Canadian player. He didn't fully reach our lofty expectations, but the man came up big in some key moments.

It was an honour to watch him play!

[Oldtimer]

TFC didn’t renew his option so they could save $25,000. That’s how he became a free agent.

He was paid a lot more than $25,000.


Maybe they felt he doesn't fit with TFC's current system (he doesn't), but he could be useful for another squad. I'll remember his contribution and wish him the best.

[Ultra & Proud]

I have not seen that much of Toia since he left Montreal, but I have a prediction. Ashtone is going to be RSL's first choice at FB by mid season.
If so then that means they will be shit.

[Initial B]

He was paid a lot more than $25,000.
I think he's referring to the difference between the two camps' asking prices. The minimum salary hasn't been that low since TFC started. :)

[Oldtimer]

I think he's referring to the difference between the two camps' asking prices. The minimum salary hasn't been that low since TFC started. :)

How would he know (unless he's Morgan's agent) what was the difference in a bidding war? Did his agent tweet it?


He was making USD $133k, I expect that the renewal option would have been higher by a $6-$12 k at least. So if its true, RSL were probably offering $165k-$170k, or more. At some point for a player that rarely plays, you gotta say goodbye and let a team that will use him regularly pay him that amount. It's better for TFC and better for him. I don't get the hate for Curtis in this case. I think most of us would have said goodbye, we wish you the best if we were GM too.

[MightyDM]

How would he know (unless he's Morgan's agent) what was the difference in a bidding war? Did his agent tweet it?


He was making USD $133k, I expect that the renewal option would have been higher by a $6-$12 k at least. So if its true, RSL were probably offering $165k-$170k, or more. At some point for a player that rarely plays, you gotta say goodbye and let a team that will use him regularly pay him that amount. It's better for TFC and better for him. I don't get the hate for Curtis in this case. I think most of us would have said goodbye, we wish you the best if we were GM too.

TFC didn't renew his option. I was guessing that was for financial reasons and ballparking what the savings might have been. Not much, really, given they need a plyaer at that position anyway.

I wish Ashtone all the best and hope Ensco is right. A true professional, kept his playing frustrations to himself, and produced some wonderful moments for TFC.

I also worry because Morrow is slowing down - it is really noticeable - and needs an equal, not just a back up. Ashtone could have been very good in that role - more than a back up, less than a starter. Who will fill it?

[Kamp Berg]

Met Ashtone on two occasions, couldn’t have been a nicer guy. Always seemed willing to step it up when needed. All the best to him! I won’t even be upset when/if he scores on us! Lol

[Parkdale]

My kid has a playoff worn jersey (that's waaayyy) to big for him that he'll treasure for ever. Ashton is a legendary player in our house.