Tactical breakdown: TFC's Noble Okello still suffering from growing pains

The 21-year-old Canadian midfielder hasn’t progressed as much as expected at this stage of his career.

Tactical breakdown: TFC's Noble Okello still suffering from growing pains

As Toronto FC coach Bob Bradley continues to rely on youth to begin the 2022 MLS season, there are bound to be some hiccups. After all, young players regularly experience peaks and declines in form when they transition to the first team.

However, one peculiar case in this department is Noble Okello. Ever since he was 17, Okello has been highly touted as a member of the youth national teams, which he parlayed into a 2019 Gold Cup call-up as an 18-year-old.

Since then, Okello’s development has stagnated. Even after a loan spell to the Danish second division and a 14-game run with TFC last year, the 21-year-old midfielder hasn’t progressed as much as expected at this stage of his career.