Toronto FC trade Ralph Priso for Canadian international Mark-Anthony Kaye

Toronto FC are making a blockbuster trade, sending 19-year-old midfielder Ralph Priso to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Canadian international Mark-Anthony Kaye, the Parleh can confirm. The details of the move was first reported by MLSsoccer.com insider Tom Bogert, while the potential deal was initially reported by TSN analyst Steven Caldwell on Monday.

According to Bogert, Toronto also sends 'around $1 million in General Allocaiton Money', a 2023 international roster spot, and a first-round pick in the upcoming SuperDraft.

Kaye, 27, spent time with Toronto FC’s academy, League 1 Ontario, USL Pro, Toronto FC II and USL before eventually earning a spot with Los Angeles FC ahead of their inaugural season in 2018. The Toronto native would play an integral role in the heart of LAFC’s midfield under current TFC head coach and sporting director Bob Bradley.

Kaye made 77 appearances with LAFC before being traded (alongside a first-round pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft) last July to the Rapids in exchange for $1 million in allocation money and a 2022 international roster spot.

Prior to the start of the 2022 season, Kaye re-signed with Colorado, inking a four-year deal through 2025, with an option for 2026. According to the MLSPA, the box-to-box midfielder is earning $700,000 in guaranteed compensation this season.

Toronto will welcome the addition of Kaye, where he’s expected to slot in seamlessly into Bradley’s favoured 4-3-3 formation, lining up alongside captain Michael Bradley and fellow countryman Jonathan Osorio.

Kaye has made 35 appearances with the Canadian men’s national team since 2017, including playing a pivotal role in their recent World Cup Qualifying run. He appears to be a shoe-in for one of the 26 roster spots heading to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup later this year.

In Priso, TFC are giving up a young midfielder with a bright future, but that’s the price they have to pay to acquire a proven commodity like Kaye.

Priso has made 25 MLS appearances (and one brief MLS Cup Playoff appearance) since signing with Toronto in October 2020. He had a breakout campaign in 2021 before going down injured on a freak play. Since then, he hasn’t looked the same and has struggled to earn consistent playing time under Bradley, logging just 274 minutes this year.

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