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Toronto FC heads to New York in search of a seventh straight victory

By Mark Shannon

Sep 11, 2016; Harrison, NJ, USA; A general view of Red Bull Arena during the national anthem prior to the game between the New York Red Bulls and the D.C. United. The Red Bulls and DC United tied, 2-2. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Harrison, NJ, USA; A general view of Red Bull Arena during the national anthem prior to the game between the New York Red Bulls and the D.C. United. The Red Bulls and DC United tied, 2-2. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto FC will be looking to make if seven straight wins when they take on the New York Red Bulls tonight.

What a streak it’s been for Toronto FC. They came into the season with high expectations after last season, and they’ve lived up to them so far. Six straight wins and top of the Eastern Conference is the perfect what to start the season. They’ve been the best team over the past two weeks, but they’ll be tested now with Sebastian Giovinco and Nick Hagglund out for extended periods of time. Throughout the six game win streak they’ve shown their depth up-front with Ricketts, in the midfield with strong showings from Jay Chapman, and strong efforts on the back-end from Jason Hernandez and Chris Mavinga. The deepest team in the MLS will have to put that to the test tonight when they take on New York.

On the other hand the Red Bulls have been a surprise over the last few weeks, and not a good surprise. The Red Bulls have struggled to pick up victories over the last few weeks. The departure of Dax McCarty has proven to be a big loss especially in the middle of the park. Bradley Wright-Phillips, while he has scored goals, doesn’t look like the same BWP we’ve grown accustomed to seeing. The Red Bulls have gone 2-0-3 in their last five games and have lost three straight matches, and Toronto will definitely prove a tough task.

Toronto FC

May 13, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Victor Vazquez (7) dribbles the ball past Minnesota United forward Abu Danladi (9) in the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Victor Vazquez (7) dribbles the ball past Minnesota United forward Abu Danladi (9) in the second half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Record: 7-4-1
Last Game: 3-2 win vs Minnesota United
Player To Watch:
Victor Vazquez. He’s been the playmaker Toronto has been looking for and then some. He currently leads the league in assists with eight and he’ll get another chance to up that total tonight. His vision and creativity have made him a hard cover for almost every team. Even when he starts on the bench Vazquez has been able to turn a game around. If Toronto expects to win on the road tonight in New York they’re going to have to hope that Vazquez has another solid outing.
Why They Win:
Winning games isn’t always easy in the MLS and winning seven straight is even harder. Toronto has a chance to make that happen, but only if they win the midfield battle. Michael Bradley has been an ironman for Toronto FC playing every minute of every game so far. He’s been a rock and is playing some great box-to-box soccer. No matter who Greg Vanney slots into the midfield whether it’s Chapman, Marky Delgado, Raheem Edwards, Benoit Cheyrou, they’ve been able assert themselves and be the better side. Tonight they’ll need more of the same to beat the Red Bulls.
Why They Lose:
It would be a sad time to see the streak end, but you have to lose at some point, right? The only way Toronto loses this match is if they get complacent on the defensive side of the ball like they’ve been accustomed to doing throughout the season and some points. They’re one of the best defensive teams, however, but they’ll need to be even stronger tonight trying to keep a very good Bradley Wright-Phillips off the scoresheet.

Starting XI vs New York Red Bulls

New York Red Bulls

May 14, 2017; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan (16) controls the ball against the Los Angeles Galaxy during the second half at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2017; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan (16) controls the ball against the Los Angeles Galaxy during the second half at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Record: 5-6-1
Last Game: 3-1 Loss vs LA Galaxy
Player To Watch For:
Sacha Kljestan has been an anchor on the Red Bulls offence for a few years now and once again he’s having a decent start to the MLS season. Through 11 games Kljestan has registered 3 assists, but if he wants to help New York snap their three game losing streak he’ll have to impose his will in the midfield and try to create opportunities for his teammates.
Why They Win:
Just by taking away Toronto’s creativity. Toronto FC has lived off of being creative during their six game winning streak. They’ve run the balm through the midfield attacking options in Victor Vazquez and Jay Chapman. New York will have to shut those guys down if they hope to have a shot of reversing their fortunes and getting a victory and stopping Toronto’s run at 6.
Why They Lose:
They allow Toronto to be too creative and allow them too much time and space on the ball. Toronto lives off the creativity and ball control and keeping possession for long stretches of the game. New York can’t allow that to happen or they’re going to lose their fourth straight game. The defence will have to hold strong against Jozy Altidore whose been having a great start to the season this far.

Starting XI vs Toronto FC

How To Watch
Where: Red Bulls Arena – Friday, May 19, 2018.
Canada: TSN1 – TSN4
USA: MLS Live

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