{"id":25056,"date":"2016-04-27T19:21:14","date_gmt":"2016-04-28T02:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.persianfootball.com\/news\/?p=25056"},"modified":"2016-04-29T19:35:22","modified_gmt":"2016-04-30T02:35:22","slug":"toronto-fcs-beitashour-the-right-back-for-the-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.persianfootball.com\/news\/2016\/04\/27\/toronto-fcs-beitashour-the-right-back-for-the-job\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto FC’s Beitashour the right back for the job"},"content":{"rendered":"

Toronto Sun – TORONTO, Toronto FC\u2019s search for an everyday right fullback has been just as tedious as watching no-talent singers get laughed off stage.
\n<\/strong>
\nSince 2014, the Reds have rotated 10 different bodies through the right side of defence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s counting?\u201d TFC bench boss Greg Vanney joked following Tuesday\u2019s training.<\/p>\n

It has been a positional crisis akin to the Cleveland Browns\u2019 quarterback situation.<\/p>\n

So, when the opportunity to grab a tried-and-true fullback arrived this winter TFC GM Tim Bezbatchenko traded for Steven Beitashour, a cap casualty in Vancouver.<\/p>\n

Long story short, through seven games the Reds have the best defence in the league. The Whitecaps, meanwhile, have conceded twice as many goals as TFC.<\/p>\n

On the inside, the Whitecaps might regret letting Beitashour walk for a second-round draft pick. Their fullback situation is dire to say the least.<\/p>\n

\u201c(Vancouver coach Carl Robinson) didn\u2019t want to get rid of me,\u201d Beitashour told the Toronto Sun following Tuesday\u2019s training. \u201cI don\u2019t think anyone in Vancouver wanted to get rid of me.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started off (negotiating) on the same page. They could have taken my option. But they said they were going to decline it. It opened up the door.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enter Toronto FC, a club whose defensive frailties were well-documented last season after conceding a league-high 58 times.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew we\u2019d get better defensively in terms of our personnel and I knew we\u2019d enter this year with the right mindset,\u201d Vanney said.<\/p>\n

Along with a host of off-season upgrades, Beitashour has been a revelation on the right side of the pitch.<\/p>\n

Although his contributions \u2014 last-ditch tackles, blocks, clearances \u2014 don\u2019t make highlight reels, the 29-year-old has been near flawless this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis level of overall engagement is off the charts,\u201d Vanney said of Beitashour. \u201cHe makes the right decision 99% of the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

For his part, Beitashour, an Iranian international, believes the trade-and-sign deal that brought him to Toronto was the right decision at this point in his career.<\/p>\n

While a half-dozen MLS franchises were interested in acquiring him, Beitashour said Toronto had the most appeal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were headed on the right path,\u201d Beitashour added. \u201cI wanted to be part of that path.\u201d<\/p>\n

He phoned up teammate and long-time buddy Justin Morrow before finalizing the move.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the biggest factors was talking to him, seeing what the organization is about,\u201d Beitashour recalled. \u201cToronto FC is serious about winning championships.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been on teams that just wanted to make the playoffs. I wanted to have a goal of winning a championship.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just making the playoffs won\u2019t be enough following Toronto\u2019s embarrassing playoff exit last October.<\/p>\n

The fans, the media and ownership expects more for the money spent on TFC\u2019s roster \u2014 including the $1 million poured into the team\u2019s veteran defence.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mindset going into pre-season was that our entire team would defend together,\u201d Beitashour said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew it would take some time, but the guys have been through it and are experienced.\u201d<\/p>\n

Part of Beitashour\u2019s experience comes from his time with the Iranian national team. His solid start this season hasn\u2019t gone unnoticed in the Middle East.<\/p>\n

As he put it, there are \u201crumblings\u201d \u2014 newspaper articles, radio spots and more \u2014 hinting he could be in line for a recall next month.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey follow us,\u201d Beitashour said of media in Iran. \u201cEven at Montreal (last week) there were Iranian fans.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see how intense it is. How much they care about their soccer team. It\u2019s great.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s one special occasion after another for Beitashour and the Reds the next few weeks.<\/p>\n

Toronto FC next travels to Portland on Sunday for a match featured on ESPN. Six days later, they\u2019ll open the new BMO Field in front of a sellout crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s one of the things that\u2019s driving us through these road games,\u201d Beitashour added. \u201c(May 7) will feel like the first game of the season. Hopefully we pack the place and it\u2019s loud.\u201d<\/p>\n

Providence Park this weekend should be a good dry rehearsal in terms of atmosphere.<\/p>\n

The defending champs host games inside one of the most boisterous environments in the league.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis weekend comes first,\u201d Beitashour said. \u201cWe need to get a good result (in Portland) and come back with momentum.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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