Sports

Red Bulls can’t stop talking about impressive playoff foe

Describing what it’ll take for the Red Bulls to grab the early hand against Toronto FC in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinal, head coach Jesse Marsch made Toronto sound unsolvable.

“They’re very complex with what they do,” Marsch said. “Whether it’s five out of the back, four out of the back, what they do with the guys in the midfield, how they rotate things … there’s so many variables when you’re preparing for [Toronto].”

Marsch warned about the many looks Toronto, the Supporters’ Shield winners and one of last year’s MLS Cup finalists, can give the opposition beyond their marquee three of Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley. There are others like creative midfielder Victor Vazquez, who finished second in MLS with 16 assists, and wingback Justin Morrow, who’s arguably the best at his position when it comes to attacking (eight goals). Those five players transformed Toronto into an even deadlier offensive juggernaut that led MLS in goals scored (74).





Add in a stout defense that allowed the second-fewest goals (37) and goalkeeper Alex Bono, tied for second in shutouts (10), Toronto can be considered among the best and most complete teams in MLS history.

Translation: The Red Bulls will have their hands full when they host Toronto on Monday night (7:00; FS1) at Red Bull Arena, where the Red Bulls are undefeated in their last nine home matches.

Despite carrying their undefeated October record (3-0-1) in which they’ve outscored opponents, 9-1, this will be the Red Bulls’ toughest test yet. Forget about their 4-0 romp over the Chicago Fire in the knockout round last week, when the Red Bulls played probably their most complete game yet. The fluidity and space Chicago allowed shouldn’t be expected with Toronto, as it was shown between the teams’ two regular-season matches, where the Red Bulls pulled away winless in both.





“Toronto’s a very smart, tactical team. We have to make sure that our tactics are clear,” Marsch said. “Just applying it to what this series is — every play matters. Whatever the score is in the 80th minute, the game’s not done.”

The Red Bulls have allowed 23 goals after the 61st minute, the highest amongst playoff teams.

Unlike Chicago’s, Toronto’s core has ample playoff experience and have largely remained with each other since 2015. Seven of their projected starting eleven played in the MLS Cup loss to Seattle last year. However, Bono, 23, wasn’t in net and it’s his first playoffs go-around. And as time has shown before, success in the playoffs usually comes down to experience. While Toronto has made the playoffs in three-straight seasons, not one team matches the experience of the Red Bulls, but at the same time, the clock is ticking for their seasoned trio of Sacha Kljestan, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Luis Robles, with all at least 32-years-old.

“We have an ease about us and it’s not one that should be confused as not caring,” said goalkeeper Robles, who will make his 200th career start for the Red Bulls. “It’s one that’s very in tune and engaged and ready to go.”





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