Toronto FC, Marshall-Rutty catch a break; avoid serious injury

Concern scattered throughout Toronto FC and amongst its fans over the weekend when prized youngster Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty was forced to leave Saturday’s match against the Columbus Crew 12 minutes in with an apparent knee injury.

After initially going down with no one around him — something that is typically a worrisome sign – the 17-year-old winger-turned-fullback tried to play through his knock but was ultimately forced to leave the match — visibly distraught.

But it appears Toronto FC may have caught a break.

According to Neil Davidson of The Canadian Press, the club has said that Marshall-Rutty has been “cleared to train as normal this week.”

That’s music to ears of Toronto FC fans. Marshall-Rutty is the club’s starting right-back and is touted to be Canada’s next big star out of Brampton, Ontario.

In fact, Toronto are so high on the 17-year-old that according to a report from TSN’s Matthew Scianitti, Marshall-Rutty is valued by TFC at $20 million, citing conversations with the player’s agent.

Marshall-Rutty spent the offseason on training stints with Arsenal and Liverpool in England, as well as Club Brugge in Belgium. He’s expected to make a move overseas as soon as this summer, with several big clubs interested in his services.