TFC’s Plata will only be available for two of Ecuador’s friendlies By Steven Sandor Posted on May 23, 2011 Comments Off on TFC’s Plata will only be available for two of Ecuador’s friendlies 0 699 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Toronto FC’s won’t lose Joao Plata for quite as long as originally feared. The club announced before Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Colorado that the Ecuadorean rookie midfielder would only be available for two of his country’s three pre-Copa America friendlies in the coming weeks. He’ll be eligible to face Canada at BMO Field June 1 and Greece in New York June 7. But he won’t be released for the May 28 friendly against Mexico in Seattle. That meant Plata was available for Sunday’s game; there was no word from the club of it meant that Plata could play in Wednesday’s Nutrilite Canadian Championship final second leg. But, Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda will likely be focused on Mexico until the 28th. The NCC finale is set for the 25th. “I’m very happy to receive the call, but it’s important to continue to be responsible and humble. It’s a blessing and I’m very happy,” said Plata in a release from the club. “My family taught me about being humble and having humility, we came from a lower status and worked our way up and it’s important for me to always remember that.” Ecuador’s training camp began Sunday. But, by not being made available for the Mexico game, Plata didn’t have to leave the club right away. It isn’t often that we see national and club coaches work out a schedule that’s good for the player and good for the clubs involved. But TFC gets to keep Plata a little longer, and he still gets two games to show Rueda why he should be part of the Ecuadorean roster for the Copa America, which goes through the month of July.