After having his preseason interrupted by an injury, the Canadian has played no part in any of Toronto FC or TFC II’s games so far and had fallen to fifth among forwards on the depth chart.
He was really sixth, in effect, since Greg Vanney has publicly stated his desire to bring Ben Spencer on to the first-team roster as a backup for Jozy Altidore.
Babouli’s release on Friday may give Toronto the flexibility they require to do that.
At 24, Babouli can no longer really be considered a young player with significant upside and if he was not going to play this season - and he clearly wasn’t, at least with the first team - it is better for all concerned that he seeks a fresh start.