TORONTO – It's always good to have options.

That is one of the thoughts going through the minds of Greg Vanney and his coaching staff heading into the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs. 

Not only is the entire side healthy, but Vanney and company have plenty of variations they can deploy as they get to faceoff with the New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals early next week. 

“It creates a lot of headaches for me,” said Vanney. “It means I have lot of things that I need to think about.”

“The game is about a balance of power; who can control [it],” continued Vanney. “Having the ability to adapt, adjust, have different personalities and play different ways is a way to control that balance. We are a good team, with good players and good options.” 

“It's been a process over three years to be able to switch something in a short amount of time and for the group to settle in and understand their responsibilities, our objectives,” added Vanney. “They enjoy the challenges and they've very comfortable when we make those adjustments, which is unique. You don't see a ton of teams doing that. They're a bright group and we've worked on all of that.”

One of those possibilities was in evidence on Sunday in Atlanta, where Toronto FC switched from their 3-5-2 (or 5-3-2, depending on perspective) into a more traditional 4-4-2 with something more akin to a diamond midfield structure.

Vanney summed up the difference as merely one of an additional midfielder versus one less defender, adding that aside from a few little tweaks – oppose and possess higher, different starting positions – it didn't change the essence of TFC’s identity. 

He did, however, allow that the ability to throw a curve-ball or two the opponents' way was a worthwhile endeavour.

“It's important to have a little bit of versatility, to be able to adapt as you go into the playoffs,” said Vanney after the Atlanta match. “People have seen us in one thing for the vast majority of the year. We've played a diamond a few times and looked really good; today was a slight variation of that.” 

“We need to have some versatility,” restated Vanney. “When teams start to prepare for us, they have to think about a little more than just the straight-forward look.”

One of those possibilities, the one seen in Atlanta on the weekend, was inserting Jonathan Osorio into the midfield.

“Every time we put him on the field he's been good,” said Vanney post-match. “We adjusted our shape to approach [Atlanta] in a different way. [Osorio] got the shout and he was excellent, had some good combinations that led to some good opportunities. It's good to have him sharp, have as many guys as possible ready.”

Another of those comes in the form of the right-wing back, whether Steven Beitashour or Nicolas Hasler gets the starting nod.

“Beitashour's defensive instincts are phenomenal; the best defending right-back in the league. His [ability] to defend and see where danger is coming are great,” outlined Vanney last week. “Nico [Hasler] is more of a midfielder/wide player that is a little more comfortable in the attack, running at people, taking forward runs, likes to drive inside... plays the position a little bit different from Beitashour.” 

“Sometimes it's a matter of looking at the opponent, sizing up what we might be dealing with. Some of it could be if a guy is in really good form then you don't take him off the field,” explained Vanney. “Both have been excellent at what they are capable of doing.” 

“I told both of them that I don't want them to be the other guy. I don't want Beitashour to try to be more attacking-minded, do more of what Nico does,” said Vanney. “I want them to be the best at what they do. Then it's for me to choose on the day which guy we're going to go with.”

With teams having met each other multiple times at this point in the season, and the heightened focus on each match, Justin Morrow stressed that such options were “important.”

“There is so much preparation that goes into these games, especially this time of year,” said Morrow. “There is no secret to us. We've played a whole season; teams have a whole season of film. If we can bring something different, have players in different positions, switch in the middle of a game, that will throw a team off. Those are weapons to have in your back pocket.”