From Toronto to Utah.
Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 28-year-old Ashtone Morgan had the dream of playing professional soccer for his hometown team Toronto FC. At a young age, he set out to achieve just that.
Beginning at the TFC Academy where he became the first graduate to feature for the Canadian National Team, Morgan played his way into the professional ranks, signing with TFC in 2011 where he spent the first nine years of his professional career. Until now. TFC’s longest tenured player made the move to the Western Conference and signed with Real Salt Lake on January 21 ahead of the 2020 preseason.
“To be completely honest, I’ve always kept really close tabs on RSL throughout my time in Toronto,” Morgan reflected. “I have always admired the way the club plays and I would think to myself, RSL plays football the right way. And now that I’m here I’m honored to wear the badge.”
A certain sort of discomfort fueled Morgan to sign with RSL and with the next step of his professional career displacing him from his comfort zone, Morgan now readies himself for the challenges that lie ahead. Morgan’s move to Utah echoed new goals set for himself as he attempts to help lift RSL to an MLS Cup championship, a title he claimed with Toronto in 2017. The taste of success in Toronto never left Morgan as he now focuses to bring the same successes to the fans in Utah.
Moreover, Morgan now shares a locker room with an individual he’s looked up to since he arrived in Major League Soccer.
“I’ve always admired Kyle Beckerman’s performances for so many years,” Morgan explained. “I had one of his jerseys when I was younger. So, I always had an eye out for RSL. He’s a machine and someone that anyone can look up to. When I see him at his age working as hard as he does, it’s inspiring for me.”
During his nine-year tenure at TFC, Morgan played for a plethora of coaches that made the environment entirely different from year to year. While every coach and team may be different, Morgan says he has taken valuable lessons from coaches and teammates throughout his career that he plans to translate to his new team from his primary left back position.
“There’s a great energy in the locker room and I felt that from the first moment I walked in and everyone had my back and welcomed me with open arms,” Morgan said. “The brotherhood and competition within the group is great and we expect to do great things this year.”
Morgan and Real Salt Lake will begin the 2020 season on the road at Orlando City SC on February 29 before opening the home portion of the schedule on March 7 against the New York Red Bulls. Fans can see Morgan and the rest of the group on March 7 by purchasing tickets at RSL.com or by calling 844.REAL.TIX.
