Nelson Palacio

Palacio (lower body) has dealt with multiple setbacks from the muscle soreness that has prevented him from making his Toronto debut, and is still seeing specialists to determine the full extent of his injury, with club general manager Jason Hernandez saying "He's obviously a young player who has a lot to give. He had long layoff and was coming to us ready to get himself going. He joined us in a moment where he had a lot of downtime, came in and obviously passed the medical, and was having a tough time getting himself going." per Benedict Rhodes of Waking the Red.

Analysis: Palacio hasn't played since May, and it appears his full recovery will require at least a few more weeks as the team will want to be cautious for him to avoid further relapses. The midfielder could still be involved in the current MLS season, although his impact may be limited until the final weeks. Meanwhile, there will be more opportunities for Niklas Dorsch, Markus Cimermancic and Alonso Coello.

Jul 24, 2026

Still working back to fitness

Palacio (lower body) is still working his way back to fitness, according to coach Robin Fraser, per John Molinaro.

Analysis: Palacio's return continues to be handled cautiously by the club in order to avoid a setback, with his availability still likely a couple of weeks away. The extended timeline suggests a gradual reintegration process once he does return to full training. Further clarity on his availability is expected to come from the club as his recovery progresses.