Defender Donny Toia joined IMFC last season after the club selected him in the Chivas USA dispersal draft.
Although little was known about him, the Arizonian defender ended the season as the most used Bleu-blanc-noir field player with 2,699 minutes played, in 31 games and 29 starts.
Despite his strong season, he’s not taking anything for granted.
“I still have the same mindset,” said the third-year fullback. “Every year you come in to fight for a spot and then keep working hard to keep that spot. At the end of the day, that’s what it comes down to, working every day.”
Working hard is made a little more difficult in preseason as the coaching staff pushes fitness along with getting into game shape.
“First week is tough, both the running and training,” Toia added. “It’s very intense and we are getting to know each other a lot more.”
Toia feels that he’s improved his game, but knows that there is always work to do as a pro.
“I think I’ve improved as a player, but there is always more you can learn. For this year I hope to move up a little more to help out offensively. I have to get better at that, but that will come with practice.”
Something Toia isn’t afraid of.
