Altidore: Toronto FC mishandled Bradley's injury

Toronto FC striker Jozy Altidore isn't impressed by the club's handling of captain Michael Bradley's ankle injury.

General manager Ali Curtis revealed Monday that the American midfielder, injured in the 2019 MLS Cup final in November, will undergo surgery on the ailment this week. He's expected to miss three-to-four months.

Questions were immediately raised over TFC's decision not to have the problem surgically repaired immediately; Curtis said the club initially hoped rehab would be enough to get Bradley back to full fitness.

"In my opinion, it was handled poorly," Altidore said when asked of the situation with his compatriot, according to the Toronto Sun's Steve Buffery.

"This is an injury from two months ago and it's not the first time this happened in terms of ... we've seen our injury rate at this club (climb) since '18, and we're obviously trying to get it better, but it hasn't. Two months have gone by and now he's having surgery and he'll be out until June."

Altidore continued: "I don't think it's good enough. He's a guy that takes care of himself in an incredible way. Incredible professional, he pushes himself, the group, he holds everybody to a high standard and I think he was let down."

TFC open their upcoming MLS campaign on Feb. 29.