Toronto FC making a strong push to keep Osorio

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Expect a flood of announcements to come out of the Toronto FC front office in the next few days — including the possible re-signing of veteran midfielder Jonathan Osorio.

According to a source, TFC is still talking to Osorio’s reps and are “making progress” in the hopes of signing TFC’s career appearance leader to a new contract. Osorio has made it known that he would like the opportunity to play in Europe. There reportedly has been some interest overseas in the free agent, but the word is the Brampton native may ultimately stay home.

Osorio, who had an excellent 2022 campaign with TFC (nine goals, six assists in 23 appearances despite suffering a head injury during the season), played 119 minutes in Canada’s three matches at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

It has long been known that TFC is attempting to sign stalwart MLS defender Matt Hedges, who has been one of the top centre backs in the league since 2014, winning MLS Defender of the Year Award in 2016.

Hedges, 32, has spent his entire professional career with FC Dallas and is their club leader in appearances though Dallas declined his 2023 contract option. That was the situation with TFC and veteran centre back Chris Mavinga. The Reds declined Mavinga’s option for 2023 but TFC is trying to get Mavinga back with a new deal (though for less money than the $1.04 million he earned in guaranteed compensation in 2022, according to the MLSPA site).

Reportedly, the San Jose Earthquakes and FC Cincinnati also have made offers to Hedges.

In another off-season move, TFC selected attacking midfielder Víctor Vázquez, 35, in Stage 2 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft but the two sides have yet to reach an agreement. Vázquez spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons with Toronto, scoring 18 goals in 65 total appearances. The Spaniard played the last two seasons with the LA Galaxy.

SBuffery@postmedia.com

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