Osorio recovering from post-concussion syndrome
Published
Jonathan Osorio says he feels “good” after a week of on-field training but admitted during Toronto FC’s end-of-season availability Wednesday that he is recovering from “post-concussion syndrome causing neurological dysfunction.”
The 30-year-old midfielder suffered a head injury after taking an elbow to the head during TFC’s game against the Chicago Fire on July 13. Osorio continued to play following the collision, finishing the season with nine goals and four assists.
Following Toronto’s Aug. 20 game against Miami, Osorio didn’t play for nearly a month and eventually told the media in mid-September he was dealing with “neurological dysfunction.” Two days later, Osorio made his final MLS appearance of the season, coming off the bench to play nearly 20 minutes against Orlando.
“I will be fine,” Osorio said Wednesday. “I will get over this [head injury].”
Osorio said he has spent the past few weeks learning how post-concussion syndrome affects individuals differently. He is optimistic he can ramp up the intensity of his training while “finding a balance” between managing any additional symptoms and gaining match fitness ahead of the World Cup. Canada’s first match at the event is Nov. 23 against Belgium.
Osorio wasn’t involved in Canada’s June camp in Vancouver and September camp in Europe and hasn’t played for the men’s team since making a substitute appearance against Panama back on March 30 in Canada’s final World Cup qualifying game.
Osorio says he is focusing on “staying positive” as he continues to recover and train and is in contact with the Canadian men’s national team’s training staff. The team is set to play Japan in Dubai on Nov. 17. FIFA will announce the World Cup squads for all 32 nations on Nov. 15.
Osorio’s contract with Toronto FC is set to expire this off-season. While Osorio said there have been conversations with TFC, he didn’t dismiss potentially signing a new deal with Toronto, playing for another MLS team, or possibility playing aboard.
However, Osorio insisted he won’t make any decisions on his club future until after the upcoming World Cup.