Ashtone Morgan Explained

Ashtone Morgan
Fullname:Ashtone Wayne Henry Morgan[1]
Birth Date:9 February 1991
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height:1.75m (05.74feet)[2]
Position:Left-back
Youthclubs1:West End United
Youthclubs2:Toronto Lynx
Youthyears3:2008–2010
Youthclubs3:Toronto FC
Years1:2009–2010
Clubs1:TFC Academy
Years2:2011–2019
Clubs2:Toronto FC
Caps2:127
Goals2:2
Years3:2015–2019
Clubs3:Toronto FC II (loan)
Caps3:11
Goals3:1
Years4:2020–2021
Clubs4:Real Salt Lake
Caps4:8
Goals4:0
Years5:2020–2021
Clubs5:Real Monarchs (loan)
Caps5:5
Goals5:0
Years6:2022–2023
Clubs6:Forge FC
Caps6:31
Goals6:1
Pcupdate:July 31, 2023
Nationalyears1:2007
Nationalteam1:Canada U16
Nationalyears2:2010
Nationalteam2:Canada U20
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2011–2020
Nationalteam3:Canada
Nationalcaps3:18
Nationalgoals3:0
Ntupdate:January 15, 2020

Ashtone Wayne Henry Morgan (born February 9, 1991) is a Canadian former soccer player who played as a left-back.

Morgan was the first graduate of the TFC Academy to play for the Canada national team.[3]

Early life

Ashtone attended Northern Secondary School in Toronto and played for the Toronto Lynx U-13 squad that travelled to England to play other youth academies. On this trip he was the standout player of the Canadian side earning him invitations from clubs such as Southampton.[4]

Club career

Toronto FC

Morgan joined TFC Academy at age 16 in 2008, and went on to feature for the team in the Canadian Soccer League in 2009 and 2010.[5]

Morgan made his professional debut for Toronto FC on October 20, 2010 in a CONCACAF Champions League match versus Árabe Unido from Panama.[6] Morgan was able to play for the Senior squad of Toronto while not holding a professional contract. The game ended in a 1–0 win for Toronto with Morgan having a stand out performance that earned him much publicity.[7]

In late January 2011 it was announced that Morgan would travel with Toronto's Senior team to Turkey for preseason training camp, Ashtone was one of four academy players invited to travel.[8] He signed with Toronto FC on March 17, 2011.[9] Morgan made his league debut on March 26, 2011 against Portland as a second half sub for Javier Martina.[10] In the last third of the season Morgan became a regular starter for the reds with playing a full 90 minutes in 7 of the last 10 league games.[11] Morgan finished the 2011 season with 14 league games.[12]

Morgan cemented himself as the starting left back for Toronto in the 2012 season, he registered 3 assists in two games in late June. On July 5, the club announced that it had re-signed Morgan to a long-term deal.[13]

However, with the arrival of Justin Morrow, Morgan saw his minutes decrease during the 2014 MLS season, mainly featuring as the club's back-up option at left back. With Morrow entrenched at the position going into the 2015 season, Morgan was loaned to Toronto FC II to get more playing time, while still being able to feature for the first team when needed.[14] He made his debut for Toronto FC II against the Charleston Battery on March 21.[15] However, with injuries to the first-team back line, Morgan was able to force his way back into the Toronto line-up during the 2015 season,[16] and on May 2 he became the first player in Toronto FC history to make 100 appearances in all competitions for the club in a 1–0 victory over the Philadelphia Union.[17] Despite missing the majority of the 2016 season due to injury, as Toronto FC made it to the 2016 MLS Cup, Morgan relished the club reaching its most successful season to date.[18] Upon completion of the season, Morgan re-signed with Toronto FC before the 2017 season.[19] Toronto declined his option for the 2020 season, ending his time with the club after nine seasons.[20]

Real Salt Lake

On January 21, 2020, it was announced that Morgan would be signing with Real Salt Lake for the 2020 season.[21] In December 2021 the club announced they had declined Morgan's contract option.[22]

Forge FC

On February 1, 2022, Morgan signed with Canadian Premier League side Forge FC.[23] He made his debut for Forge in their 2022 CONCACAF Champions League first-leg match against Cruz Azul on February 16.[24] On January 23, 2023, Morgan re-signed with Forge FC for the 2023 season.[25]

Morgan retired from professional soccer on July 31, 2023.[26] [27]

International career

Morgan was a part of several Canadian U-16 camps in 2007, while also appearing for the U-20 side in late 2010. Morgan received his first international senior team call-up in late September when Stephen Hart announced his roster for two FIFA World Cup qualifying games against Saint Lucia and Puerto Rico.[28] This made Morgan the first graduate of the Toronto FC Academy to be called up to the Canadian men's national team.[29] Morgan made his debut against Saint Lucia as a second half sub for Simeon Jackson in a 7–0 away victory, he also received an assist for setting up Iain Hume who scored the 6th goal.[30] Morgan was call-up to the national team in the next international window, Ashtone earned his first start for the national team against Saint Kitts and Nevis on November 15, the game ended in a 4–0 victory for the Canadians at the national stadium of BMO Field.[31] On December 13 Morgan was awarded the 2011 Canadian U-20 Player of the Year, receiving 33.3% of the vote and just beating out Russell Teibert for the award.[32] [33]

On June 27, 2013 Morgan was listed as a part of the confirmed 23-man squad for Colin Miller's Canada squad for 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[34]

On May 30, 2019 Morgan was named to the final squad for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[35]

Career statistics

Club

ClubLeagueLeaguePlayoffsNational CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Toronto FC2010Major League Soccer00001010
20111400080220
20123004080420
201322020240
2014302050
20151900010200
201670002090
201751001061
20181804041261
201991003010131
Total1272001902211683
Toronto FC II (loan)2015USL1010
20161010
20177171
20181010
2019USL League One1010
Total111000000111
Real Salt Lake2020Major League Soccer0000
2021801090
Total8010000090
Real Monarchs (loan)2020USL Championship1010
20214040
Total5000000050
Forge FC2022Canadian Premier League201302[36] 020271
20231100030140
Total311305000390
Career total1824402402412345

International

Canada
YearAppsGoals
201120
201200
201390
201520
201600
201700
201810
201920
202020
Total180

Honours

Club

Toronto FC

2017[37]

2017[38]

Individual

2011

Notes and References

  1. Web site: National Team Roster 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. CONCACAF.
  2. Web site: Ashtone Morgan. canadasoccer.com. Canadian Soccer Association. January 17, 2014.
  3. News: Canada's 'homegrown' edge in MLS will help Team Canada, too . www.thescore.com . October 26, 2011 . dead . https://archive.today/20120718091930/http://blogs.thescore.com/footyblog/2011/10/26/canadas-homegrown-edge-in-mls-will-help-team-canada-too/ . July 18, 2012 .
  4. News: Lynx Juniors Impress EPL Clubs . Nuke Soccer . www.google.ca . January 30, 2011 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20060525101652/http://soccer.loop48.com/modules.php?name=News . May 25, 2006 . mdy .
  5. Web site: Canadian Soccer League Powered by Goalline Sports Administration Software. https://web.archive.org/web/20080802205150/http://www.canadiansoccerleague.ca/page.php?page_id=9309. dead. August 2, 2008. 2008-08-02. 2017-07-31.
  6. Web site: Ashtone Morgan » CONCACAF Champions League 2010/2011. World Football. August 13, 2016.
  7. News: Morgan Debut Opens Eyes. www.torontofc.ca. January 30, 2011. March 25, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120325093939/http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/10/morgan-debut-opens-eyes. dead.
  8. News: Morgan Debut Opens Eyes. www.torontofc.ca. January 30, 2011. November 3, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131103121428/http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/01/academy-quartet-travel. dead.
  9. News: Toronto FC Academy Graduates Four More. www.torontofc.ca. March 17, 2011. November 3, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131103121645/http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/03/toronto-fc-academy-graduates-four-more. dead.
  10. News: Martina Brace Leads The Way . Toronto FC . March 26, 2011 . March 26, 2011 . April 7, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120407030936/http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/03/martina-brace-leads-way . dead .
  11. News: Martina Brace Leads The Way. Toronto Star . October 8, 2011 . November 11, 2011 .
  12. Web site: Ashtone Morgan » Club matches. August 13, 2016. World Football.
  13. News: Morgan signs Long Term Deal . Toronto FC . July 5, 2012 . July 6, 2012 . May 30, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130530234936/http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2012/07/morgan-signs-long-term-deal . dead .
  14. Web site: Toronto FC loan seven players to Toronto FC II. March 20, 2015. March 20, 2015. June 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150623081804/http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2015/03/toronto-fc-loan-seven-players-toronto-fc-ii. dead.
  15. Web site: Kamal. Hylton. March 21, 2015. Match Recap: TFC II vs. Charleston. March 22, 2015. September 1, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150901085415/http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2015/03/match-recap-tfc-ii-vs-charleston. dead.
  16. Web site: Ashtone Morgan nears 100-game record with Toronto FC. Toronto Star. Neil Davidson. May 1, 2015.
  17. News: Toronto FC wins second straight with 1-0 win over Union. CP24 . May 2, 2015 . May 19, 2015 .
  18. Web site: Toronto FC mainstay Ashtone Morgan relishes MLS Cup berth after slogging through club's darkest seasons. National Post. Kurtis Larson. December 7, 2016.
  19. Web site: TFC re-signs Canadian defender Ashtone Morgan. Sportsnet.ca. Peter Galindo. December 16, 2016.
  20. Web site: Toronto FC announces roster decisions to conclude 2019 season. Toronto FC. November 21, 2019.
  21. Web site: RSL signs defender Ashtone Morgan. rsl.com. January 21, 2020.
  22. Web site: Real Salt Lake Announces 2022 Roster Decisions. December 6, 2021. Real Salt Lake.
  23. Web site: 2022-02-01. Forge FC add Canadian fullback Ashtone Morgan, re-sign Sebastian Castello. 2022-02-01. Canadian Premier League.
  24. Forge FC. ForgeFCHamilton. 1494100911748173829. It's a big night of soccer in #HamOnt!! Your Starting XI for our @TheChampions debut is right here Stay tuned for kickoff coming up at 8 p.m.. February 16, 2022. February 16, 2022.
  25. Web site: Forge FC Re-Signs Ashtone Morgan . Northern Tribune . John . Jacques . January 23, 2023 . January 23, 2023.
  26. Web site: Forge FC’s Ashtone Morgan announces retirement from professional soccer . Mitchell . Tierney . . July 31, 2023 . July 31, 2023.
  27. News: Ashtone Morgan Retires . Northern Tribune . John . Jacques . July 31, 2023 . July 31, 2023.
  28. Web site: Canada announces roster for upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers . Canadian Soccer Association . September 29, 2011 .
  29. Web site: Morgan's call-up and the dreams of Canadian kids . Canadian Soccer News . September 29, 2011 . September 29, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111011054710/http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?2257-Morgan-s-call-up-and-the-dreams-of-Canadian-kids . October 11, 2011 . dead .
  30. Web site: Canada routs St. Lucia 7-0 in World Cup qualifier . Toronto Star . October 7, 2011 .
  31. News: Canada Finishes With Authority. Toronto FC. November 15, 2011. October 16, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131016055745/http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/11/canada-finishes-authority. dead.
  32. News: Morgan, Pietrangelo named Canadian U-20 Players of the Year. Canada Soccer Association. December 13, 2011.
  33. News: Morgan Wins National Award. Toronto FC. December 13, 2011. January 16, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140116184954/http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/12/morgan-wins-national-award. dead.
  34. News: Canada Finalize roster for Gold Cup, announces friendly. Canada Soccer. June 29, 2013. March 28, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190328031432/https://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-finalizes-roster-for-gold-cup-announces-friendly--p154281. dead.
  35. Web site: Together We Rise: Canada Soccer announces squad for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. May 30, 2019. June 24, 2019. June 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190603025211/https://www.canadasoccer.com/together-we-rise-canada-soccer-announces-squad-for-the-2019-concacaf-gold-cup-p162198. dead.
  36. Includes appearance in the 2020 Canadian Championship final (played in 2022)
  37. Web site: December 9, 2017 . Recap: Toronto FC vs Seattle Sounders . mlssoccer.com . December 9, 2017.
  38. Web site: Kings of the League: Toronto FC win first Supporters' Shield. mlssoccer.com. 30 September 2017.