TORONTO – The news everyone has been waiting for has finally dropped. Now, the Reds are moving on.

Speaking with the media following Wednesday’s training session, head coach Greg Vanney revealed that Jozy Altidore’s red card, handed out in the second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinal vs. the New York Red Bulls, has been upheld. The American international will be suspended for the first leg of the Conference Championship vs. Columbus Crew SC, along with Sebastian Giovinco (yellow card accumulation).

The focus now turns to the rest of the squad, a contingent in which head coach Greg Vanney has supreme confidence.

“We have faith in the guys that we have available,” he said. “Those guys have stepped up and done well for us, specifically against Columbus on the road and at BMO Field. These guys have experience, they know what they’re dealing with. For us, we just need to create a clear game plan and roles for the guys.”

Tosaint Ricketts looks a likely candidate to get the nod up top in the first leg, a player who has been a revelation since joining the Reds midway through the 2016 season.

“He can help us, for sure,” Sebastian Giovinco said. “I know he’ll do a great job. You win with 20 players, you lose with 20 players. There’s always someone that can come in and help the team.”

No matter who gets the start, goalkeeper Alex Bono knows it will be a tough task against a top side in Columbus.

“Tactics can change from game to game, but we know what they’re about,” he told reporters. “The core of their team hasn’t changed, so we’ll be preparing the same Columbus team we’ve played all year.”

Hear from Greg Vanney, Sebastian Giovinco, Jonathan Osorio and Alex Bono following Wednesday’s training session.

Greg Vanney

Sebastian Giovinco

Jonathan Osorio

Alex Bono