Here are three things to keep in mind about Saturday night’s Major League Soccer match between Toronto FC and the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena.
What’s at stake?
Toronto (11-13-7, 40 points) is in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, three points behind the Columbus Crew who hold down the fifth and final post-season berth. The New York Red Bulls are in fourth, leading TFC by four points. The Philadelphia Union and Houston Dynamo are hot on TFC’s tail, with 39 points apiece.
With three games remaining and nine points up for grabs, the Reds are mathematically still alive in the playoff race. You’d have to think that TFC would need to take seven out of a possible nine points to have a realistic shot at a post-season berth. A loss in New York wouldn’t officially eliminate Toronto from playoff contention, but it would put them on life support.
Columbus can open up a six-point lead with a win on the road against Philadelphia on Saturday if TFC loses to New York.
“We’re not thinking about losing,” Toronto captain Steven Caldwell said.
Coach Greg Vanney was also talking confidently about the Reds’ playoff aspirations.
“I firmly believe that if we win [Saturday] that we set ourselves up for two results in the final games and we’ll be okay,” Vanney said.
This game has meaning for New York, too. The Red Bulls can clinch a playoff berth with a victory, provided Houston doesn’t beat D.C. United on Sunday.
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Keeping tabs on Henry and Wright-Phillips
New York is in fine form at home these days, winning a franchise-record six consecutive games at Red Bull Arena. Overall, the Red Bulls are 7-0-2 in their last nine at home.
If that wasn’t daunting enough for TFC, consider that they also have to find a way to shut down Thierry Henry and Bradley Wright-Phillips, two of the most dangerous attacking players in MLS.
Wright-Phillips is the top scorer in MLS this season and is three goals away from tying the league record of 27 set by Roy Lassiter in 1996 and matched by Chris Wondolowski two seasons ago. Henry has 10 goals and 13 assists this campaign.
“Bradley has been outstanding this season—very close to MVP [status], if not the MVP. … We’re going to have to play with the right mix of attacking prowess, and tight and sharp defence. It’s going to be difficult and it’s a great challenge,” Caldwell offered.
Vanney said the best way to neutralize Wright-Phillips is to cut off his supply line, which means keeping close tabs on Henry.
“The strength of New York is in their attack,” Vanney explained. “You have Henry, a class player, and Bradley Wright-Philips is on fire this year in terms of getting goals. Our best defence is to have a good attack.
“Henry doesn’t love to defend much, which could leave their outside backs exposed.”
Gilberto fit again
After sitting out Toronto FC’s last two matches with an injury Brazilian forward Gilberto will be available to play in Saturday’s crucial contest against the Red Bulls.
Vanney confirmed Friday afternoon that Gilberto will travel to New York, and that he’ll be in the 18-man roster. But he stopped short of saying the Brazilian would start against the Red Bulls.
“We’ll assess [that] over the next day. He had another good workout [Friday]. He’s feeling great, and looks great. He’ll definitely be available and definitely play a role in the game [Saturday],” Vanney revealed.
Gilberto is the club’s second-leading scorer with seven goals in 25 games. The Designated Player is also tied with Dominic Oduro for the team lead in assists with five
Vanney went on to say that he has no other injury concerns.
“We’re 100 percent [healthy]. It’s taken all year to get to this point, but in the most important match of the year, we’re 100 percent,” Vanney stated.
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