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Toronto FC Vs New York City FC: 5 things we learned – Welcome, Ifunanyachi Achara

By Andrew Dowdeswell

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 07: Fans sing the national anthem prior to the first half of an MLS game between New York City FC and Toronto FC at BMO Field on March 07, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 07: Fans sing the national anthem prior to the first half of an MLS game between New York City FC and Toronto FC at BMO Field on March 07, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – MARCH 07: Fans sing the national anthem prior to the first half of an MLS game between New York City FC and Toronto FC at BMO Field on March 07, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 07: Fans sing the national anthem prior to the first half of an MLS game between New York City FC and Toronto FC at BMO Field on March 07, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

On Saturday evening, Toronto FC played host to New York City FC in an elite Eastern Conference tilt. Here are five things we learned from the 1-0 win.

On Saturday night, to open their 2020 season at BMO Field after a Week 1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes, Toronto FC rode the wild ride that is Ifunanyachi Achara to a 1-0 victory over New York City FC. The SuperDraft rookie scored the only goal of the game as a raucous 26,171 watched on with TFC recording their first victory of the season.

For Ronny Deila and NYCFC, meanwhile, questions must be asked of their offensive output and defensive gameplan. Bar a 15-minute period in the second half, there attacking efficacy was limited to sparse counter-attacks and potshots.

Chicago Fire Vs New England Revolution: 3 things we learned. light. Related Story

Here are five things we learned from Toronto FC’s 1-0 victory over New York City FC.

SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 09: Jonathan Osorio of Toronto FC attends press during the mix zone at CenturyLink Field on November 9, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 09: Jonathan Osorio of Toronto FC attends press during the mix zone at CenturyLink Field on November 9, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) /

5. Jonathan Osorio the Michael Bradley replacement?

Last week, Greg Vanney stated that Jonathan Osorio started at the base of his Toronto FC midfield because he wanted a playmaking option to anchor his team due to the high-pressing nature of the San Jose Earthquakes. He said it was a tactical decision for that particular match and opponent. Well, now he seems to have doubled-down.

Osorio again started in Michael Bradley’s holding midfield role in front of the back four. And for the second-straight week, the Canadian international was excellent. His press-resistant dribbling qualities came in handy at times, he helped instigate attacks from deep with probing passes into advanced areas, and his overall athleticism helped to provide legs where Bradley, for instance, could not.

What Osorio’s positional switch means for young Liam Fraser, who was thought to be the successor of the Bradley role, remains to be seen. Vanney has been high on Fraser’s abilities, but the lack of game time is concerning. Nevertheless, Osorio — and TFC by extension — is shining and that is all that really matters.

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