defender Nick Hagglund was peppered with questions this past week about suspensions handed out to star teammates Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco, and took one for the team.
“We’re not just three guys,” said Hagglund, with the Reds enjoying an extended break before opening the Eastern Conference final a week from Tuesday. “We’re not just the (designated players) of our team. We’re a whole team, with the coaching staff, and we’re ready to go.”
While the designated-player model has served Toronto well in the three years that Giovinco, Altidore and captain Michael Bradley have been aboard, the perception remains that the Reds aren’t much without them.