

Posted by

Ian Clarke ,

August 7, 2015 Email

Ian Clarke



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Toronto FC are charged up and ready to take on all comers after their impressive 4-1 win midweek, and that motivation will be needed as they face Sporting Kansas City on Saturday afternoon. The Reds will be buoyed after a terrible stretch of road performances to have their remaining fixtures overwhelmingly at BMO Field, and what can be expected was on display on Wednesday. Kansas City will present a completely different level of opposition to Orlando and mistakes that went unpunished previously will certainly be cashed in should they occur. Switching over to the Western Conference, Kansas City have done well to acclimatize to a traditionally more difficult conference. Not quite the powerhouse in previous years, they have had an impressive run of recent results, despite a current blip of a loss and a draw in their last two outings. TFC have been less consistent, especially on the road, but their run of home fixtures and recent performances at BMO should give confidence that even though KC are a top MLS side, the Reds always have the X-factor in Giovinco and put in a stronger display on home soil. Keep thinking

After a pitiful month of road performances, specifically from a defending-standpoint, the Reds were likely more than excited to finally return home to the friendly confines of BMO Field. Even though there are still issues at the back, home soil has proven to be a more difficult place for opposition to play at this season than ones in the past. This was highlighted on Wednesday night when Orlando came to town, a team who has scored well on the road, but were shut down, partially as a result of missing their DP Kaka. What supporters were witness to was another absolute stellar performance from Giovinco who has to be in the pole position for MLS MVP at this juncture. Just when the away match to NYCFC was the benchmark, Giovinco almost duplicated his array of goals and complete bossing of the defence. Seeing the physical Aurelien Collin completely change his game in dealing with Giovinco over ninety minutes is a testament to the commitment the Italian brings to each match from the opening to final whistle. As much as Giovinco is ringing up the accolades, it was his supporting cast though that made it happen. Specifically Benoit Cheyrou put in a top class performance where his vision was superb in picking out Giovinco's runs and delivering the perfect pass nearly every time. Cheyrou was strong in possession and distributed well throughout the match. As well, Jonathan Osorio has been playing with confidence and had several impressive displays of dribbling, the final one leading to Collen Warner's goal. There are still questions surrounding TFC's defence, but this might become a moot point if the midfield and attack are firing on all cylinders. Sporting Kansas City, however, have good firepower of their own as well as a sturdy backline that might be able to offer stiffer resistance than Orlando. What Kansas City really has in their favour though is a clear tactical approach and consistency over the last several years that translates into a cohesive side on the pitch. While Dom Dwyer is not quite replicating his 2014 season, he will still be a physical presence up top for Kansas City and a battle with Kantari or Zavaleta will be interesting to see what comes of it. Kansas City has proven to be balanced in their scoring options as Dwyer, fellow striker Krisztian Nemeth and Benny Feilhaber are all on 7 goals so far this season. A Dwyer v Kantari/Zavaleta match up is highlighted, but the top billing for this match will be the discussion around who is the current MLS MVP. Mlssoccer.com felt that at the half-way point of the season it was Kansas City's Feilhaber, however, after Wednesday's game, one must recognize that Giovinco's control over the match outcome is on another level to the American midfielder. It won't just be a backline of Matt Belser and Kevin Ellis that will need to deal with Giovinco, but the tireless Roger Espinoza might be given the dubious honour of trying to shut down what has been a near unstoppable force. A home match for TFC right now will begin with the question of whether the opposition can stop Giovinco. Added, now Michael Bradley is back and the Reds have added mettle into a midfield that was looking competent against Orlando. However, it has been noted Kansas City offer another level and they will be as dangerous on set pieces and tough through the midfield as any other team right now. As much as TFC should be feeling good after the Orlando win, realizing how poor that opponent was and refocusing on a much tougher one will be an essential message Greg Vanney will need to deliver to his players. Toronto does have the quality to compete, especially with home field advantage, against a top side like Kansas City. Ensuring this opponent does not employ a similar strategy to New York City FC will go a long way in shutting out Giovinco, and Vanney will need to have a plan B ready if that is the case. Bradley will likely swap in for Marky Delgado and offer greater quality on and off the ball to possibly even improve on the service Giovinco could receive. As long as the defence is not left exposed and can physically compete, another home fixture could end in celebration for the Reds and supporters. In the end

After a poor month of defensive performances on the road, the Reds were happy to be home at BMO Field midweek and put in a solid display in a 4-1 win over Orlando City. While it was not a benchmark outing for the backline, Giovinco put New England behind, and channeled his inner NYCFC revenge and put in a top shelf display. With Sporting Kansas City coming to town, TFC can expect a much more clinical and cohesive side, with a stronger midfield and more balanced attacking options than Orlando. There are several players SKC can punish Toronto with and the Reds are not out of the woods when it comes to having to put forth a disciplined defensive match. This game, moreso than any recent home games, is the toughest one yet and where the opposition might be favourites. This of course depends on Giovinco and whether he can continue his form and get the service needed. With Michael Bradley likely geared to return and his midfield support of Cheyrou, Osorio and Delgado also in good form, it might be a tighter affair but one where TFC can come out on top. Prediction

Toronto FC 3 – 2 Sporting Kansas City