TORONTO – There have been many remarkable figures for Toronto FC this season.
From Sebastian Giovinco's production, to a club record for clean sheets, to being on pace for most points, most wins and fewest losses, there have been plenty of key contributors in 2016. In fact, 20 players have more than 500 minutes under their belt, all while pushing the club to the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
But the most important figure is arguably 1.04.
Ten months ago, on the heels of a pair of defeats in Montreal, Greg Vanney and company asserted that the No. 1 focus was reducing the number of goals conceded. They allowed 58 in 2015, tied for most in the league, averaging 1.71 per match.
Now, through 26 games, they have conceded 27 goals – 1.04 per match.
Reasons are myriad, but central is Drew Moor, a veteran center back signed in the offseason to anchor the back line.
“Drew's presence is huge,” said Vanney from training on Friday. “I've known Drew for a long time. He's a guy who can play outside of himself, in terms of communication, organization, has a great demeanor, supportive, hard. A great starting point.”
Added Moore: "I try to be myself. Communicate, get [everybody] on the same page, bring in a mentality that we're going to be difficult to play against. The whole squad took [that] on."
Brought in to lead, Moor has shown well in his first year in Toronto. He has started 24 of the Reds' 26 games so far this season, and has contributed three goals on the attacking end.
HIs production has been good, and so too have his defensive savvy and leadership.
“Bobby Rhine with FC Dallas was a special guy to me, communicated well, took me under his wing, led by example,” said Moor. “Oscar Pareja, Greg Vanney, Pablo Mastroeni, guys that had been in the league, played in Europe, in World Cups. It's always nice to have those guys to look up to.
"Being in those shoes now, I want to make sure that I'm doing everything I can to take [the younger players] under my wing, show them a positive light on what it is to be a good professional.”
It has worked.
“It's helped me a lot,” said Eriq Zavaleta, one of those excelling under Moor's tutelage. “Him being positionally sound, helps me do the same. If I'm in, he makes sure to pull me back. You learn from those things.”
Denied defensive representation at the MLS All-Star Game, TFC are confident that Moor's name can be in consideration for MLS Defender of the Year when the season finishes. He has helped Toronto FC's defense improve greatly, and the club is reaping all the benefits of that.
“Drew's come here, taken a defense that struggled to a top-three unit," said Zavaleta. "[That] is a credit to him. He's got my vote.”
