Jacob Peterson, shown here playing for the Colorado Rapids, hopes to be ready to play for Toronto FC by the start of the 2010 MLS season. (Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

He hasn't even kicked a ball for Toronto FC, but the hope is that Jacob Peterson will become the Canadian club's winged warrior.

Acquired last month in a trade with the Colorado Rapids, Peterson was brought to Toronto ahead of the 2010 Major League Soccer season to help address the club's dearth of quality wingers and give the team's faltering attack some much-needed width.

Whether he'll be ready to play in the Reds' season opener, a March 27 road game against the Columbus Crew, remains to be seen.

Peterson, 24, is still recovering from a serious knee injury suffered in a game last September and is cautious when trying to predict when he'll be ready to make his debut for Toronto FC.

"I don't want to put a number on it, but I'm hoping for the start of the season to be available," Peterson said. "Obviously, that's my hope and wish, but with these things setbacks can happen, so I don't want to rush it. It's a long season, so I'll come back when I'm ready."

Peterson said he was a bit surprised that Toronto made the move to get him, especially when they knew the extent of his injured knee.

"Coming off of an ACL, I didn't really expect it," said Peterson. "Now that I'm here I'm excited to get started, so hopefully we can have a good season."

Peterson was a standout forward during his collegiate career, helping the University of Indiana win a pair of NCAA championships in 2004 and 2004.

2 goals in 23 appearances

Selected in the second round (21st overall) in the 2006 MLS draft, Peterson played mostly as a midfielder and a winger with the Rapids, breaking through last season when he scored two goals in 23 appearances before injuring his knee.

Peterson hasn't yet sat down with new Toronto coach Preki about how he will be used in Toronto — whether on the wing, in the centre of midfield or as a forward.

"I like playing on the wing," Peterson said. "Last year I played there pretty much the whole time. I can play up front, too. I'm comfortable with that."

Peterson said he was honoured to be the first player signed by Toronto since Preki took over the coaching reins

"I'm happy with that and hopefully I can live up to his expectations," the former Rapids star said.

Living up to expectations shouldn't be a problem for a player who stated he feels no added pressure of being the first newcomer to join the team in the Preki era.

"This is what we get paid for, so performance is everything," said Peterson. "Hopefully I can step in there when I'm healthy. I'll sit down with the coaching staff and training staff to see when I'm ready and I'll try to make a difference."