Toronto FC sign four players from academy

Toronto FC announced Thursday that they have signed four players from their Academy. Defender Ashtone Morgan, midfielders Oscar Cordon, Matt Stinson, and forward Keith Makubuya will all be making the step up to the First Team. They will be added to the roster as Home Grown Players. 

"These are important signings for our club, they represent our commitment to develop young talent and the importance of our Academy program," said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter. "All four players performed well in the pre-season and have earned their spots in the first team. Players like these are the future of our club."

Morgan, 20, joined the Academy program at the age of 16 in 2008. Before moving to the Academy he was a member of the Toronto Lynx U-13 team that played against youth academies in England. Morgan participated in a number of Canada’s U-16 team camps and has made two appearances for the Canadian U-20 team.

Cordon, 18, joined the Academy program in 2009. He was a member of the Mississauga Falcons before joining the Academy. Cordon made two appearances with the first team last season, the first in June against Vancouver Whitecaps during the Nutrilite Canadian Championship and then in October against Arabe Unido during the CONCACAF Champions League
group stage.

Stinson, 18, was the captain of the Toronto FC Academy team before leaving to attend Wintrop University in South Carolina last fall. At Winthrop, Stinson was named the Team MVP and earned All-Big South Conference Second Team honours. He was a member of the Clarkson Comets before joining the Academy in 2008.

Makubuya, 18, joined the Academy program in 2009 after playing his youth soccer with the North Mississauga Soccer Club. 

All four players were with the team during pre-season while in Turkey, Orlando, and Charleston. Toronto has now signed six players from their Academy program since last season.

Ashtone Morgan
Position: Defender
Height: 5’11
Weight: 150
Birthdate: February 9, 1991
Born: Toronto, ON
Nationality: Canadian
Last Club: Toronto FC Academy
How Acquired: Signed with First Team on March 17, 2011
Pronunciation: "ash-ton more-gan"

Oscar Cordon
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’9
Weight: 155
Birthdate: January 18, 1993
Born: Toronto, ON
Nationality: Canadian
Last Club: Toronto FC Academy
How Acquired: Signed with First Team on February 17, 2011
Pronunciation: "Oss-curr Kor-don"

Matt Stinson
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’10
Weight: 165
Birthdate: September 9, 1992
Born: Toronto, ON
Nationality: Canadian
Last Club: Toronto FC Academy
How Acquired: Signed with First Team on March 17, 2011
Pronunciation: "mat stin-son"

Keith Makubuya
Position: Forward
Height: 5’11
Weight: 145
Birthdate: January 26, 1993
Born: St. Catharines, ON
Nationality: Canadian
Last Club: Toronto FC Academy
How Acquired: Signed with First Team on March 17, 2011
Pronunciation: "Keeth Ma-koo-bee-ahh"