

Posted by

Ian Clarke ,

March 4, 2016 Email

Ian Clarke



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The 2016 MLS season is upon us and Toronto FC look to build off, and in some ways forget, their only and too brief playoff appearance. Much like 2015, it will be a rugged start to the campaign with BMO Field completing renovations and an eight-game road schedule begins as the reigning Supporters Shield winners, the New York Red Bulls, host the Reds on Sunday afternoon. It was an off-season that in some ways is still wrapping up with regards to personnel movement, but notable additions were made to the roster. Despite new players coming in to an already star-studded line-up, 2016 will rise and fall with the capabilities of management, specifically any shrewd signings from Tim Bezbatchenko and astute coaching from Greg Vanney, both of whom have yet to show strong consistency in either area. For the opening weekend however, the task at hand is taking on perhaps one of the top well-oiled machines in MLS. New York have done well since losing superstar Thierry Henry to create an enviable balance of top American players, solid Europeans and highly-rated youngsters and rightly are in the conversation for MLS Cup contenders. Toronto FC, even with Giovinco, have yet to show they can compete regularly against top competition, and given their poor track record at Red Bulls Arena will likely be starting the season empty handed. Keep thinking

TFC head into Harrison, New Jersey, off a mixed pre-season that saw them go 3-3-3 against a variety of opposition. What was most important to monitor was the new arrivals, specifically Will Johnson, Drew Moor and Clint Irwin. Unfortunately, out of the early part of the year, Steven Beitashor has already been coping with injury, as well as DP striker Jozy Alitdore. What supporters will be looking for is seeing if the players brought in raise the quality of the roster and will allow the Reds to be a more competitive side in 2016. This is the task for Bezbatchenko and Vanney, as despite having some top shelf MLS talent last year, the team was extremely poor against any team who weren't amongst the bottom of the table. Are Johnson, Moor, Beitashor and Irwin a significant enough upgrade to make a difference, especially against the New York Red Bulls? It could be argued on both sides of yes and no, but as well, coaching will take this team a long way, and this could also be the difference against a team like New York. The Reds Bulls emerged last season as a top team and did so without any global superstar on the pitch. The Reds will have their hands full all over the pitch, as nearly every player is a bona fide MLS starter. From Goalkeeper of the Year Luis Robles, to midfielders Sascha Kleinstein, Ronald Zubar, Gonzalo Veron, Felipe and Dax McCarty to the Wright-Phillips brothers and a reborn Mike Grella, there will be battles all over the pitch that TFC will have trouble consistently matching up against. Finally, despite being sacked by Joey Saputo, New York brought in who many thought was an up-and-coming US coach in Jesse Marsch and he has silenced doubters. Toronto are already up against the wall without key starters Altidore and Beitashor, however, if anything was learned from 2015 is that when Giovinco is on the pitch, the Reds always have a puncher's chance. Finding a way to balance out the attack will be key for 2016, as well as creating a cohesive midfield and attack that doesn't just rely on the Italian to both score and set up his teammates. If the preseason is any indication, against New York there will be a trio up top of Giovinco, Jonathan Osorio and Tsubasa Endoh, with midfield support from Michael Bradley, Will Johnson and Benoit Cheyrou. The quality is there, but the question still remains about a cohesive approach the gets the most out of each player. Jonathan Osorio is one who will need to take more chances on goal if Toronto are to have a chance for any points. It is behind the players noted above that there are still some questions for this match, and 2016. Despite the additions in the offseason, one has to truthfully determine whether Drew Moor is a significant enough upgrade at centre back than what was seen last season. With Damien Perquis still on board, there will continue to be massive defensive lapses per game and whether the centre back position adequately sorted still in question. Between the sticks, Clint Irwin should prove to be of strong character, but it will remain to be seen how much better week in week out he will be than Joe Bendik or Chris Konopka. With questions still abound for the Reds, and truthfully none surrounding New York, it is logical to conclude that the Red Bulls should be strong favourites to start their season on the right foot. In the end

Having never won at Red Bull Arena, the best result a 2-2 draw in 2014, TFC have an upward climb to start off 2016 on a positive note. Greg Vanney and Tim Bezbatchenko have brought in new faces and will rely on youth to get the job done. New York have made some good additions to an already MLS-proven side that is coming off an impressive season that saw them lift the Supporters Shield. With a fully healthy side, specifically a proper target up top in Jozy Altidore, the Reds would likely have been a more competitive team, but without the American DP and from what was seen in their last preseason match against Philadelphia, it looks like the Reds will need to wait until facing the Red Bulls cross-town rivals before securing their first points of the season. Prediction

Toronto FC 1 – 2 New York Red Bulls