Toronto FC will look to make history for the second week in a row as visitors.
The club had never won at Red Bull Arena until last Sunday’s 2-0 win on opening day of the 2016 MLS season. TFC has never won at Yankee Stadium either, though the club has only played two matches there, with both coming last season. Greg Vanney’s side will look to change that this Sunday against New York City FC - 5 PM ET | SPORTSNET ONE | ESPN 2| MLS LIVE.
New York City FC sports a different look one season after their creation. Patrick Vieira replaced Jason Kreis as head coach, and instilled an attack minded philosophy that is bound to make for an exciting, and possibly nerve wracking, brand of football.
“The way that I want to team to play is a risk, but I’m prepared to take that kind of risk because what is important for me is that we create more than we concede,” said Vieira this week, via Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News.
NYCFC’s season opener against the Chicago Fire was an indication of what we should expect from Vieira’s reign in the Big Apple. A 4-3 result capped by superb finishing and questionable defending could be a sign of things to come in year two for the New York outfit.
Here are three keys to Sunday’s game.
Making The Maestro Work
Andrea Pirlo can still ping passes around the field with alarming ease, but the maestro’s ability to cover space in the midfield is no longer what it once was.
Because of this the onus is on his compatriots in the midfield to carry the slack. Thomas McNamara and Mix Diskerud played big roles in the season opening win. Both players scored goals. More importantly, they provided support for Pirlo in the 4-3-3 employed by Vieira.
Last Sunday the Reds succeeded in frustrating Felipe and letting Dax McCarty stand on the ball with few options going forward. Will they let Pirlo do the same, or press him into work? If it’s the latter McNamara and Diskerud will have to bring it. That’s a bet Greg Vanney may be willing to make.
The Counter Attack
Yankee Stadium provides some unique challenges when it comes to soccer.
The field is smaller, leaving less time to make decisions. It wasn’t always pretty at times against the Red Bulls, with the Reds struggling to maintain possession and complete passes.
But that was to be expected. TFC relied on the counter attack to great effect and will likely need to do the same against NYCFC.
“One of the things that was very good for us was how good we were tactically,” said captain Michael Bradley. “Our ability to close space down. move together and keep our lines tight to make it difficult for the Red Bulls.”
Getting more consistent service for Sebastian Giovinco up front will also be key for the Reds.
Keeping It Clean
Two late goals powered the Reds to a big opening day win, but if the score had remained 0-0 at full time that would’ve been considered a positive result for a club looking to forge a defensive identity.
Vanney is hoping that identity carries over throughout the early stages of the season.
"It's important we defend as a team and build on the things we did against the Red Bulls,” Vanney said.
Drew Moor’s team of the week performance was massive against the Red Bulls. Keeping another clean sheet in back-to-back games would be a major confidence builder for a revamped defence looking to keep it clean and tidy at the back in 2016.
