Toronto FC 's Joao Plata, right, and Philadelphia Union's Raymon Gaddis battle for the ball during first half MLS action in Toronto on Saturday, May 26, 2012. Plata is still a member of Toronto FC. Earl Cochrane, the team's director of team and player operations, says Plata remains with the MLS club although Toronto FC continues to negotiate a potential loan for the 20-year-old forward. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
July 04, 2012 - 11:10 AM
TORONTO - Ecuador forward Joao Plata is still a member of Toronto FC.
Earl Cochrane, the team's director of team and player operations, says Plata remains with the MLS club although Toronto FC continues to negotiate a potential loan for the 20-year-old forward.
Cochrane says he hopes the loan agreement can be reached by the end of the week.
A Plata tweet last weekend suggested the five-foot-two, 135-pound speedster was leaving the team.
Plata missed a practice with Toronto FC on Tuesday and Cochrane says the club is discussing its options regarding potential discipline with Major League Soccer.
Even if Toronto FC loans Plata, Cochrane said the club will still want him back once terms of the loan are complete.
Plata has two more years on his MLS contract.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012