Hall will bounce back from blunder, says Scope
Freddy Hall has the mental strength to recover from his error in Toronto FC’s recent 2-1 defeat against Sporting Kansas City, according to Bermuda Hogges owner Paul Scope.Hall (pictured) was badly at fault against Kansas, costing his side a point after allowing Oriol Rossell’s tame shot from the edge of the box squirm under his body in the final minutes.It was a cruel blow for the 27-year-old who has impressed since joining Bermuda team-mate Reggie Lambe at Toronto in July.“There’s no doubt about it, it was a horrible goal and it was a bit unfortunate for Freddy who made some fantastic saves,” said Scope, who recommended Hall to Toronto.“The ball must have taken a bad bounce because normally Freddy’s technically very good.“It was in the few last minutes and was a blow for everybody. But Freddy’s got a good future at the club and one mistake isn’t going to affect him.”Scope attended Toronto’s previous match against Santos Laguna in the Concacaf Champions League, a game that Hall starred in, and remains confident he will become a hit at BMO Field.“Freddy Hall did very well (against Laguna), that’s for sure. He was unfortunate the last two goals went in late on, otherwise he would have been the hero because he made some excellent saves,” said the former Bermuda national team assistant coach.“He certainly enamoured himself to the crowd that night and had already enamoured himself to the coaches.“I know Toronto’s keeper coach Stewart Kerr thinks the world of him, and I know Paul Mariner is pleased with him and likes his attitude.”Hall, who has made three appearances for Toronto since displacing Milos Kosic as the first choice keeper, is expected to start for Bermuda against Puerto Rico today in the Digicel Cup in Haiti.Lambe, who was also named in Andrew Bascome’s 20-man squad, is likely to start on the bench having only just recovered from a knee injury.Neither player will miss any games for Toronto, with the MLS having an international break.“I know Paul Mariner was concerned about Reggie coming back from a medium-term injury into the hustle and bustle of an international football,” said Scope, who also helped facilitate Lambe’s move to Toronto.“The Bermuda Football Association staff will take all that into account as they don’t want to mess with Reggie’s career. I wouldn’t be surprised if Reggie is used as an impact substitute in the first game, and I’d be surprised if he plays a full 90 minutes in every game.“Although Reggie’s a fit lad his condition will be a bit off so he has to be careful.”Another member of Bermuda’s national team, Antwan Russell, is also hoping to turn professional with Toronto.Russell will be joining Toronto for their pre-season tour in Orlando in January in a bid to secure a move to the MLS outfit.He had a trial with the Toronto earlier this month and impressed sufficiently to be invited back despite carrying an ankle injury.“They have every intention of having another look at Antwan in their pre-season tournament in Orlando,” said Scope, who is a close friend of Toronto coach Paul Mariner.“I’m sure other teams like Orlando City may look at him as well. Paul (Mariner) saw something in him during the training session.“I’ve told Antwan to go down to Haiti, bang in a few goals, come back and play domestic football for a few months and be raring to go in January in Florida.”Toronto take on Chicago Fire in the MLS at home on Wednesday, September 12.
