

Posted by

Ian Clarke ,

September 16, 2015 Email

Ian Clarke



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Toronto FC return to the scene of one of their most dramatic results of the season as they are back in New York City to take on NYCFC. Both teams are in desperate need of a win; the Reds to keep pace with the top of the Eastern Conference, and New York, who have struggled all season and don`t have an easy schedule ahead. This fixture will likely be seen as a potential three points for both sides and getting the most out of DPs, the supporting cast, and limiting defensive mistakes, will be the recipe for one of these two coming out with a victory. Keep thinking

The components to a victory could not be more clear for TFC after this past weekend. It has been a broken record for much of 2015, and in truth almost every season since 2007, that defending and mental mistakes have undermined results again and again. This past weekend the Reds did better than New England in almost every statistical category, yet somehow found a way to make colossal defensive errors that lead to goals. It was meant to be a barometer for how far the team has come since the same fixture from a year ago, one where New England embarrassed TFC 3-0 at BMO and lead to Ryan Nelsen`s exit. Just over a year later, there certainly is a discussion to be had as to how much, or little, the team has improved it`s position from 2014. The reality is, save for an improved attack courtesy of Giovinco doing the lion`s share of scoring and creating, the team is only marginally better, if at all, in other areas of the pitch. The result is a team who appear to be capable of beating the bottom sides in MLS, but against anyone who are in the top half of the table, it is uncertain whether this 10+million dollar squad can compete. And after demonstrating the gap between Toronto and the top contenders in the Eastern Conference, the Reds luckily have an opportunity to set things right as they travel to take on the woeful New York City FC. The scene of this crime is an absolutely jaw-dropping performance from Giovinco back in July that was undone by atrocious defending and took some of the shine off an incredible hat-trick and near game-winning assist. There is no question TFC are looking at New York as a chance to correct last weekend`s loss and get some confidence ahead of the final stretch to the playoffs, but New York are also looking at the Reds as a chance to get what has been a poor inaugural season with them languishing at the bottom of the conference. New York, at first, appeared to be a sure thing for 2015. The DPs rolled out off the start of David Villa and Frank Lampard, along with Jason Kreis at the helm with time to set it all up, surely had them in a position to be the next Seattle Sounders. However, it has been an underwhelming season that has been marked by poor defending and lack of cohesion between the players and DPs. Especially with Lampard not arriving until mid-summer, and then Adrea Pirlo`s signing resulting in less than convincing performances, the impact from their key players has not been as expected. David Villa has delivered, although it took him time to heat up, but luckily for TFC he appears to be doubtful for Wednesday night`s match. It has been the core MLS players who have offered a bit more to the team as Andrew Jacobson, Medhi Ballouchy, Tommy McNamara and Patrick Mullins have been mainstays throughout the season and been the character of the side. Even though there is experience and good players in defence, Chris Wingert and Jeb Brovsky for example, if there is a side that has struggled defensively as much as Toronto, it is NYCFC. That is the question ahead of Wednesday night - what will the set up be from Greg Vanney and is there any combination that can mitigate what has lately been an unmitigated disaster defensively. Most notable is that Vanney should put an end to Damian Perquis as a regular starter on the backline. Simply put, he has become a liability and good for several turnovers and mental errors over ninety minutes. While Josh Williams has not been overly convincing, he offers a bit more focus and Ahmed Kantari also brings a more measured approach. There is little doubt that Toronto`s attack will be in order as Giovinco, despite not scoring on Saturday, still was the most dangerous player on the pitch and will be key to unlocking New York. Jozy Altidore has been more threatening of late, as has Michael Bradley. If Benoit Cheyrou is fit and ready, arguably TFC`s best starting eleven should be available. While memories of 4-4 are still relatively fresh, the Reds should be in better shape personnel-wise and as long as Greg Vanney gets the correct set up defending, it could be a positive result ahead of a five-game home stretch. In the end

Toronto FC continue to struggle and establish themselves as a legitimate contender, despite the mad spending over the past two seasons. Over the last two months, the Reds have struggled to compete against the better sides in the league. This was on display last Sunday at home as New England did what was necessary to steal all three points. Wednesday night is TFC's opportunity to take the same approach as they travel to New York and are possibly looking at this fixture as a chance to get the three points they should have had early July. It will all come down to defending - should Vanney get his mix right, and good support for his defenders, this is where Toronto's best hopes are for a result. Prediction

Toronto FC 3-2 New York City FC