CHAMPIONSGATE, Fla. - With a little more than a week before the MLS season kicks off, Toronto FC's squad is taking shape.

With a strong base already in place, general manager Tim Bezbatchenko was selective in his off-season additions. Goalkeeper Clint Irwin, fullback Steven Beitashour, centre back Drew Moor and Canadian midfielder Will Johnson fill needs and will slide into the starting 11.

Some questions about the full squad were answered Thursday with the news that goalkeeper Alex Bono, defender Wesley Charpie, midfielders Chris Mannella and Brian James and forward Darius Madison were returned home to join Toronto FC II ahead of the senior team's pre-season finale Saturday against Philadelphia.

"I like all of them. The harsh reality is we don't have any roster spots," said Toronto head coach Greg Vanney.

The moves mean Quillan Roberts has won the backup goalie battle and that first-round draft choice Tsubasa Endoh and academy product Mo Babouli, like Roberts a Canadian, have likely also made the first team.

Toronto currently has 27 players on its roster including injured defender Clement Simonon and absent striker Luke Moore. Endoh and Babouli have to sign MLS contracts to join the roster.

With rosters having to comply with the league's salary budget March 1, Bezbatchenko has some housekeeping ahead of him but no heavy lifting. A door will be found for Moore. And the GM will ponder whether to stretch his US$3.49-million salary budget across 18 or 20 players, as allowed under MLS rules.

Team can carry 28 players with the last eight — the so-called supplemental roster — not counting against the salary budget.

For the 21-year-old Roberts, it has been a patient journey to the senior squad. Signed to a first-team contract from the academy in April 2012, he has seen action in cup matches and high-profile friendlies.

"In the short-term, Q has won the backup position and he deserves it and he's earned it," said Vanney.

Roberts could see some time with Toronto FC II to get some action rather than just watch from the first-team bench. Toronto parted ways with last year's 'keepers — Joe Bendik and Chris Konopka — in the off-season.

Attacking midfielders/forwards Endoh and Babouli have both impressed at camp, arriving via different routes.

"They're both humble, they're both quiet," said Vanney. "But I can tell you when you talk to them, they're both very assured of what they're capable of doing. And I think that's the difference between them and some young players."

Endoh, a first-round draft choice from Japan via the University of Maryland, has impressed on the right forward flank in Toronto's 4-3-3 formation.

"He's a very smart player, his work rate is off the charts," said Vanney.

Vanney called this year's training camp "make or break" for the 23-year-old Babouli, an academy product who had four goals and four assists in 20 games with Toronto FC II last season. Adept as an attacker, he was asked to "find some responsibility" on defence.

"He has shown that he's capable of doing that and he's still finding ways at this level to be dangerous ... He still has a knack for creating and scoring goals," Vanney added.

Babouli has a glorious touch. Against Montreal on Wednesday, he pulled down a high pass as if he had Stickum on his boot.

Sebastian Giovinco was back in training Thursday after sitting out a few days with a leg knock. Fellow striker Jozy Altidore remains out with a mild hamstring pull and his availability for the March 6 season opener at the New York Red Bulls is a question mark. Beitashour (quad strain) is expected to resume full training next week.

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