Altidore speaks warmly of time in Toronto but hints at backroom unrest at TFC

Jozy Altidore, in his introductory news conference as a member of the New England Revolution, talked warmly of his time in Toronto but hinted at backroom unrest at his former MLS club.

"There were just some things that happened behind the scenes that, you know, you just can't unsee," the veteran forward told a virtual availability Tuesday.

"When certain ways, how you live, how you see life, how you see going to work, morals, when those things aren't the same any more in a working environment, I think it's time to call it a day," he added. "And I think that's what happened in Toronto in some ways, with different instances on a few occasions.

"It makes it tough to go out on the field and play. It makes it tough to go out on the field and fight and do those things you want to do when you're no longer aligned with those aspects. So that was difficult because obviously it was such a great ride there."

Altidore did not elaborate, saying only: "These things happen in life. Time changes, people change over time."

The 32-year-old American, who spent seven seasons with Toronto as a designated player, did say some of those incidents dated back to 2020 — when the team was forced to move south of the border due to pandemic-related travel restrictions.

Toronto also spent part of last season based in the U.S. The year did not go well, with Toronto finishing 26th in the overall standings with a dismal 6-18-10 record.

Altidore fell out with the club last year after a confrontation with then-coach Chris Armas when the striker was substituted in the 70th minute of a 1-0 loss to Orlando City on May 22. Altidore spent some eight weeks training on his own, away from the first team.

He returned in July after Armas was fired following a 1-8-2