Every team needs versatile players who can play multiple positions effectively whenever called upon — even more so when there is an injury crisis in the group. That is what Toronto FC is facing at the moment, and that player for them of late has been Derrick Etienne Jr.

Now in his 11th Major League Soccer season after developing in the Red Bull New York academy, Etienne Jr has been a solid forward in the league for a long time, and with Toronto has grown into a role that Robin Fraser can rely on. Even if Etienne Jr isn’t starting every match, his head coach knows that he can be trusted to come in and do his job.

Against Atlanta United on Saturday, Etienne Jr came off the bench in the first half to take over on the right wing against the club that traded him to Toronto. Emilio Aristizábal had started there, but was forced to play a central attacking midfield role when Jose Cifuentes left the match with a knee injury. Etienne Jr played most of the match on that side of the pitch, before switching to the left when Malik Henry replaced Aristizábal in the second half, spending some time centrally as well, alternating with Daniel Salloi.

Etienne Jr started the season at striker, scoring in Toronto FC’s season opener against FC Dallas, but vacated that spot when Josh Sargent arrived.

“Derrick is a player that I like a lot, mostly because he’s a really intelligent, experienced player, and when you ask him to do a job, he does it,” Fraser said after Saturday’s match. “[He] plays on the right, plays on the left, he started the year for us as a nine, and Derrick is the kind of person that I feel like I can rely upon him to do whatever is asked of him.

“I think that’s really important that you have guys that, whether in a starting role or off the bench, that if you ask something of them, they get it done.

Courtesy: Sean Pollock/Waking The Red

Etienne Jr has been on Fraser’s radar since both were at the Red Bulls together — Fraser as an assistant coach and Etienne Jr as an academy player. Both have come a long way since then, including the Haiti international potentially being off to the World Cup this summer for the nation’s first appearance since 1974.

If it was up to the TFC boss, Etienne Jr would get the call.

“I’ve known Derrick since he was probably, I don’t know, 14, 15 at New York Red Bulls,” Fraser added. “It’s been interesting and I won’t say gratifying, but watching his career, he’s turned himself into a reliable, good, solid professional, and now he’s going to a World Cup, or I think he’s going to a World Cup, so it’s a really great thing for him.”

Related Reading: Haiti’s World Cup wait is over: Ex-Toronto FC forward Derrick Etienne Jr. can’t wait to tell grandpa

Toronto FC have a handful of matches left before the World Cup break, starting this Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes, who Etienne Jr got his first MLS assist against back in 2017.

With another triple game week coming up, as a Canadian Championship match against Atlético Ottawa is sandwiched by the Earthquakes game and a visit of Inter Miami to end their lengthy homestand, Toronto FC’s depth will be called upon, and Etienne Jr will be a key part of that.