Toronto FC Spain Camp: Roster, Trialists & Young Prospects

Toronto FC is currently conducting its pre-season training camp in Marbella, Spain, preparing for the 2024 MLS season. A total of 32 players are participating, with a mix of established first-team members, promising prospects from the TFC II and academy systems, recent draft picks, and players vying for a contract through trials.

Building the Roster: A Look at the Camp Attendees

The bulk of the squad – 24 players – are currently under contract with Toronto FC. Supplementing this core are four players from TFC 2 or the club’s academy, representing the future of the organization. Two players selected in the recent MLS SuperDraft, and two trialists complete the roster.

Trialists Seeking Opportunities

Forward Hugo Mbongue and goalkeeper Zakaria Nakhly are the players currently on trial at the Marbella Football Centre. Mbongue, 21, is familiar to the TFC organization, having originally signed as a homegrown player in September 2022. His contract was not renewed in October following a loan period with both Lexington SC of the USL Championship and Vancouver FC of the Canadian Premier League.

During his time with Vancouver FC, Mbongue demonstrated attacking prowess, scoring six goals and providing two assists in 12 games. He has appeared in 12 MLS regular-season games for Toronto FC, totaling 277 minutes played. Nakhly, of Moroccan descent, previously developed within the youth system of Belgian club Charleroi, and is being evaluated as a potential addition to TFC 2.

Did You Know? Antone Bossenberry, a TFC 2/Academy player, was included in the Guardian newspaper’s list of the 60 best young football talents in the world in October.

Academy Talent on Display

The four TFC 2/academy players in camp – defender Richard Chukwu, midfielders Antone Bossenberry and Tim Fortier, and forward Jahmarie Nolan – are considered among the club’s most promising young talents. Chukwu, Bossenberry, and Fortier recently represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, with Chukwu captaining the team. Nolan, a Jamaican youth international, holds the distinction of being the youngest player to sign an MLS NEXT Pro contract with TFC 2, doing so at age 15 in March of last year.

The draft picks in camp are defender Jackson Gilman, selected in the second round of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, and midfielder Fletcher Bank, chosen in the third round of the 2024 draft. Gilman, a four-year player at the University of Pittsburgh, captained the Panthers for three seasons and earned All-ACC recognition. Bank, after being drafted, opted to return to Stanford University, where he made 72 appearances.

Expert Insight: The inclusion of both draft picks and trialists demonstrates Toronto FC’s commitment to evaluating all available options as they build their squad for the upcoming season, balancing immediate needs with long-term potential.

Looking Ahead

Toronto FC departed for Spain on Tuesday and released the full roster on Thursday. The team is scheduled to return on February 15th, with their season opener against FC Dallas set for February 21st. The camp provides a crucial opportunity for players to integrate into the team’s system and compete for places in the starting lineup. It remains to be seen which players will earn a permanent spot in the squad, and how the trialists will perform under pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the training camp?

The training camp in Spain is designed to prepare the team for the upcoming 2024 MLS season, allowing players to build fitness, work on tactics, and integrate new players into the squad.

Who are the trialists currently with Toronto FC?

The trialists are forward Hugo Mbongue and goalkeeper Zakaria Nakhly.

Which TFC 2/Academy players are attending the camp?

The TFC 2/Academy players in camp are defender Richard Chukwu, midfielders Antone Bossenberry and Tim Fortier, and forward Jahmarie Nolan.

As Toronto FC concludes its training camp in Spain, what impact do you anticipate the experience will have on the team’s performance in the upcoming season?