Latest news with #MalikHenry
CTV News
5 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Young midfielder Malik Henry makes his mark in return to Toronto FC
Toronto FC midfielder Malik Henry (78) sprints for the ball as he trains with Toronto FC in Toronto, on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan TORONTO — While just turned 23, midfielder Malik Henry has paid his dues with Toronto FC. Attending the Toronto academy as a teenager, Henry used to carpool daily with winger Theo Corbeanu from their homes in Hamilton. 'It was definitely a long drive sometimes, but there were a lot of good memories from those times,' Henry recalled. After attending university in the U.S. and being drafted by CF Montreal, he returned to TFC earlier this year. He joined TFC 2 in March and was rewarded with a first-team contract last Saturday. 'A complete full-circle moment for me,' Henry said with a smile. Henry, who had seen 23 minutes of action in two prior appearances with the first team as a TFC 2 player this season, wasted little time making his mark. After replacing Corbeanu in the 76th minute Saturday at the Philadelphia Union, he delivered the cross that Deandre Kerr headed home for a 1-1 draw. 'I was more excited, I'd say, than nervous,' Henry said of his debut as a member of the first team. 'I was giving myself positive self-talk. I was just buzzing once I heard my name get called (during the game).' Toronto (5-13-7) hosts the Columbus Crew (12-5-8) on Saturday. With nine games remaining, four of which are at home, 12th-place Toronto is 14 points below the playoff line in the Eastern Conference. Columbus, which stands fifth in the East, went unbeaten in recent Leagues Cup play (2-0-1) but missed out on the quarterfinals on goal difference. Toronto coach Robin Fraser was not surprised by Henry's impact off the bench against Philadelphia. 'This is something we've seen Malik do kind of all year for the second team,' he said after the game. 'Real credit to the second team, the second-team staff, how they've put him into this position. They've really groomed him to take care of the ball and provide service out of really good situations.' 'I'm just glad he that when he got the opportunity, he had the composure to do it here,' he added. 'He put a great ball in.' Henry originally joined the Toronto youth ranks after catching the eye of academy head Anthony Capotosto while trying out for Ontario at the TFC training ground. Henry eventually left the Toronto academy to play soccer at the University of North Carolina before transferring to the University of Akron, where he made the All-Big East second team as a senior. He appeared in just three games for the Tar Heels in the pandemic-interrupted 2020 season but found a home in Akron, 'And then from there it just clicked for me,' said Henry. 'The coaches all took me in, and the players all welcomed me a lot, and then they just allowed me to be me on the football field. And especially off the field I feel like I grew the most.' At Akron, he played both wingback and winger, starting 68 of 71 appearances in four seasons with two goals and 21 assists. These days, he's happy to play anywhere on the wing, from back to front. Henry was drafted in the second round (39th overall) by Montreal in December 2023. He wasn't expecting it at the time, given he didn't even know he was eligible, and was surprised to see himself included in mock drafts. Henry returned to Akron for one final season, finishing his degree before attending camp with Montreal in January 2025. He spent time in camp with the team in Orlando before being told it did not have roster space for its draft choices. But when one door closes, another opens. 'Then TFC came calling soon after that. Within a week or two, I was training with TFC 2,' he said. He put his head down and worked his way up the ranks. 'I never lost belief in myself,' he said. 'I just kept pushing. Self-belief can take you a long way, I think.' Other academy mates now with the Toronto first team include Kobe Franklin, Kosi Thompson, Adisa De Rosario, Markus Cimermancic, Lazar Stefanovic and Kerr. 'It's nice to be back around them,' said Henry. He now lives close to the training ground, so he no longer has to commute from Hamilton. He usually heads home after games, however, to visit with his family. Internationally, Henry has represented Canada at the U-15 level, making three appearances and scoring a goal at the 2017 CONCACAF U-15 Championship. Away from the pitch, Henry relaxes in front of a video game console — often playing with Columbus forward Jacen Russell-Rowe, a former TFC academy teammate. He also likes to create beats and produce music, working with local artists (ProdbyLeak is his YouTube channel). 'It's kind of like assisting in soccer,' he explained. 'I build a little foundation for them to express themselves.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug.14, 2025 Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Young midfielder Malik Henry makes his mark in return to Toronto FC
TORONTO – While just turned 23, midfielder Malik Henry has paid his dues with Toronto FC. Attending the Toronto academy as a teenager, Henry used to carpool daily with winger Theo Corbeanu from their homes in Hamilton. 'It was definitely a long drive sometimes, but there were a lot of good memories from those times,' Henry recalled. After attending university in the U.S. and being drafted by CF Montreal, he returned to TFC earlier this year. He joined TFC 2 in March and was rewarded with a first-team contract last Saturday. 'A complete full-circle moment for me,' Henry said with a smile. Henry, who had seen 23 minutes of action in two prior appearances with the first team as a TFC 2 player this season, wasted little time making his mark. After replacing Corbeanu in the 76th minute Saturday at the Philadelphia Union, he delivered the cross that Deandre Kerr headed home for a 1-1 draw. 'I was more excited, I'd say, than nervous,' Henry said of his debut as a member of the first team. 'I was giving myself positive self-talk. I was just buzzing once I heard my name get called (during the game).' Toronto (5-13-7) hosts the Columbus Crew (12-5-8) on Saturday. With nine games remaining, four of which are at home, 12th-place Toronto is 14 points below the playoff line in the Eastern Conference. Columbus, which stands fifth in the East, went unbeaten in recent Leagues Cup play (2-0-1) but missed out on the quarterfinals on goal difference. Toronto coach Robin Fraser was not surprised by Henry's impact off the bench against Philadelphia. 'This is something we've seen Malik do kind of all year for the second team,' he said after the game. 'Real credit to the second team, the second-team staff, how they've put him into this position. They've really groomed him to take care of the ball and provide service out of really good situations.' 'I'm just glad he that when he got the opportunity, he had the composure to do it here,' he added. 'He put a great ball in.' Henry originally joined the Toronto youth ranks after catching the eye of academy head Anthony Capotosto while trying out for Ontario at the TFC training ground. Henry eventually left the Toronto academy to play soccer at the University of North Carolina before transferring to the University of Akron, where he made the All-Big East second team as a senior. He appeared in just three games for the Tar Heels in the pandemic-interrupted 2020 season but found a home in Akron, 'And then from there it just clicked for me,' said Henry. 'The coaches all took me in, and the players all welcomed me a lot, and then they just allowed me to be me on the football field. And especially off the field I feel like I grew the most.' At Akron, he played both wingback and winger, starting 68 of 71 appearances in four seasons with two goals and 21 assists. These days, he's happy to play anywhere on the wing, from back to front. Henry was drafted in the second round (39th overall) by Montreal in December 2023. He wasn't expecting it at the time, given he didn't even know he was eligible, and was surprised to see himself included in mock drafts. Henry returned to Akron for one final season, finishing his degree before attending camp with Montreal in January 2025. He spent time in camp with the team in Orlando before being told it did not have roster space for its draft choices. But when one door closes, another opens. 'Then TFC came calling soon after that. Within a week or two, I was training with TFC 2,' he said. He put his head down and worked his way up the ranks. 'I never lost belief in myself,' he said. 'I just kept pushing. Self-belief can take you a long way, I think.' Other academy mates now with the Toronto first team include Kobe Franklin, Kosi Thompson, Adisa De Rosario, Markus Cimermancic, Lazar Stefanovic and Kerr. 'It's nice to be back around them,' said Henry. He now lives close to the training ground, so he no longer has to commute from Hamilton. He usually heads home after games, however, to visit with his family. Internationally, Henry has represented Canada at the U-15 level, making three appearances and scoring a goal at the 2017 CONCACAF U-15 Championship. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Away from the pitch, Henry relaxes in front of a video game console — often playing with Columbus forward Jacen Russell-Rowe, a former TFC academy teammate. He also likes to create beats and produce music, working with local artists (ProdbyLeak is his YouTube channel). 'It's kind of like assisting in soccer,' he explained. 'I build a little foundation for them to express themselves.' — This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug.14, 2025
National Post
10-08-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Deandre Kerr scores in injury time as Toronto FC plays Philadelphia Union to draw
CHESTER, Pa. — Deandre Kerr headed home a cross by newly signed Malik Henry in the 91st minute to lift Toronto FC into a 1-1 draw with the high-flying Philadelphia Union in MLS play Saturday. Article content Newly acquired designated player Djordje Mihailovic had a hand in the buildup to the goal, finished off by the two substitutes. Henry, a 23-year-old midfielder from Hamilton, had signed his first-team contact earlier in the day. Article content Article content Ten minutes of injury time made for a tense ending at Subaru Park after Kerr's third goal of the season Article content After falling behind in the fourth minute on an Indiana Vassilev goal, Toronto (5-13-7) regrouped and avoided further damage in the first half. Article content Article content While both teams managed just one shot on target in the first 45 minutes, Philadelphia converted its chance. Article content The game opened up in the second half and Toronto came on, denied in the 83rd minute when Andre Blake made a tremendous save to stop Kevin Long's shot off a Mihailovic corner. Article content Kai Wagner's excellent set-piece deliveries caused Toronto problems all night and Philadelphia appeared to have doubled its lead in the 56th minute on a Wagner free kick, with Israeli international Tai Baribo eventually heading the ball home after a goalmouth scramble. But the goal was ruled offside on video review. Article content While the Union outshot Toronto 11-9, both teams put four shots on target. Article content Toronto came into weekend play in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, 14 points below the playoff line and 29 behind first-place Philadelphia (15-5-6). Article content TFC's last road win over the Union was a 3-1 decision in March 2019. Article content Mihailovic, who had had just one training session with Toronto, started up front, operating on the left slightly behind Norwegian striker Ola Brynhildsen. As the game progressed, the 26-year-old U.S. international took a more central position behind Brynhildsen. Article content Mihailovic had a half-chance in the 20th minute, put in behind the defence by Brynhildsen, but Philadelphia defender Jakob Glesnes closed him down before he could put a shot on target. In the 26th minute, Mihailovic split the Union defence with a fine pass to Brynhildsen but the Philadelphia defenders got back in time to snuff out the threat, Article content Mihailovic, who also took corners for Toronto, came off in the 96th minute. Article content The star playmaker was acquired Thursday from the Colorado Rapids in a transfer that could cost TFC US$9 million. Mihailovic has also played for CF Montreal and the Chicago Fire as well as AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands.
Toronto Star
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Deandre Kerr scores in injury time as Toronto FC plays Philadelphia Union to 1-1 draw
CHESTER - Deandre Kerr headed home a cross by newly signed Malik Henry in the 91st minute to lift Toronto FC into a 1-1 draw with the high-flying Philadelphia Union in MLS play Saturday. Newly acquired designated player Djordje Mihailovic had a hand in the buildup to the goal, finished off by the two substitutes. Henry, a 23-year-old midfielder from Hamilton, had signed his first-team contact earlier in the day.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-08-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Midfielder Malik Henry earns promotion, signs first-team contract with Toronto FC
TORONTO – Toronto FC has signed Canadian midfielder Malik Henry to a first team-contract through 2025 with club options for 2026 and 2027. The 23-year-old from Hamilton has already made two appearances for the first team, signing three short-term agreements and making his MLS debut against New York Red Bulls on June 25. 'We are happy to promote Malik to the first team for the remainder of the 2025 season,' Toronto GM Jason Hernandez said in a statement. 'He has been a top performer for our MLS Next Pro team this season and continues to grow with each opportunity given in our senior team environment. We look forward to his continued work and growth within our system.' Henry signed with Toronto FC II on March 4 and leads the reserve team with five assists in 18 appearances, including 12 starts, during the 2025 MLS Next Pro regular season. Henry was selected in the second round (39th overall) by CF Montréal in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft after a collegiate career split between the University of North Carolina (2020) and University of Akron (2021-2024). Prior to his NCAA career, he spent three years in the Toronto FC academy, playing across the U-15, U-16, and U-17 age groups, after playing youth soccer with Hamilton United. Henry has represented Canada at the under-15 level. The signing announcement was made prior to Toronto's game at the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 9, 2025
