Toronto FC Loses Sutton For Year

Following Toronto FC's 4-2 loss to Aston Villa in a friendly on Wednesday night, head coach Mo Johnston revealed that the team will be without the services of starting goalkeeper Greg Sutton for quite a while and maybe the rest of the year. Sutton, 30, has been suffering the recurring effects of a concussion sustained in last month's Gold Cup and won't play for at least six months, meaning he would miss the remained of Toronto's games.

"It's not just that we are worried about missing one of Major League Soccer's top 'keepers," said Johnston. "We are worried about his health. That comes first."

Sutton started eight games in goal for TFC, earning one shutout and a GAA of 1.88 while going 2-5-1. Though coach Johnston would like to find a veteran keeper to help lead his team's playoff charge, Sutton's replacement will likely be Srdjan Djekanovic, the 23-year-old signed from the Vancouver Whitecaps earlier this year to be Sutton's back-up. He has started seven games for TFC, compiling a 2-3-2 record with a 1.28 GAA and two shutouts in 2007.

"Djekanovic has done a good job for us. But he doesn't have the experience we will need going down the road," said Johnston.