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Toronto FC announced the signing of Terrence Boyd, a move that was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle. The German-American striker had previously been on the books at 2. Bundesliga club SV Darmstadt 98. Despite his background with the national team, the move stateside “was not subjected to the MLS Allocation Order”.
“We are excited to welcome Terrence and his family to the club. Terrence is a player that we’ve tracked for years during his time with the U.S. National Team and in Germany,” General Manager Ali Curtis told TorontoFC.ca. “He is an experienced, attacking player that is capable of scoring goals in MLS. We’re looking forward to him joining our preseason and integrating himself into the group.”
Boyd began his senior club career with Hertha BSC’s reserves in 2009, before matriculating to Borussia Dortmund II, Rapid Wien, and RB Leipzig. His most successful spell was in the Austrian Bundesliga with Wien, where he scored 37 goals in 80 league and cup matches. He scored four goals in 24 appearances for Darmstadt last season, but did not manage a single goal in 13 appearances (all but one as a substitute) this season.
Boyd has earned 14 caps for the United States Men’s National Team since debuting in 2012. His last international appearance was in 2016, a two-minute cameo in a 1-1 friendly draw with New Zealand.
At 27-years-old (soon to be 28), it’s unlikely that Boyd will be a key player with the national team in the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup. Due to his consistent injury issues — most notably a torn knee ligament in 2014 resulting in nearly two years of rehabilitation — he’s never quite lived up to his early promise and has yet to score for the USMNT. However, this move could represent a relatively late-career rejuvenation for Boyd. Toronto FC is taking a “low-cost flyer” on him, gambling that he could be a replacement for Jozy Altidore, who appears to have one foot out the door. If Boyd is able to regain his scoring touch and remain healthy, it’s possible he will arouse the interest of recently hired manager Gregg Berhalter.