Toronto FC’s tenure as the first place team in the Eastern Conference was relatively short, but it was enough of a taste to give them a craving for more.
Toronto can potentially reclaim the top spot in the East with a win away to the Chicago Fire on Saturday.
TFC had a bye last week, and have been out of action since suffering a 1-0 loss at home to the Montreal Impact on Aug. 23. Despite the setback, the Reds still closed out that week atop the Eastern Conference table after climbing into first place just days earlier. During its time off, though, Toronto has dropped to third, tied with the New York Red Bulls on 43 points (NYRB is ahead on goal difference) and a point behind leaders New York City FC. Toronto has a game in hand on both clubs.
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Toronto also trails FC Dallas by eight points in the race for the Supporters’ Shield (awarded to the first place team overall in Major League Soccer at the end of the regular season), and has a game in hand on the Texas outfit.
A TFC win in Chicago on Saturday, combined with an NYCFC loss away to the New England Revolution on the same evening, would see the Reds jump back into first place in the East.
Coach Greg Vanney likes the position Toronto FC is in right now as the MLS campaign enters the home stretch. Finishing in the top two in the East would mean a first-round bye in the playoffs, and ensure Toronto of home-field advantage for the two-legged Eastern Conference semifinal—something that is clearly in their thoughts.
“The overall feeling is that we control our destiny at this point,” Vanney said. “Ultimately, it’s about each of our performances, and each of our results, and building some momentum.”
He later added: “We’re always thinking about the top two spots. That’s always in the back of our mind. … But we know our performances need to speak for themselves and that we control our destiny.”
A veteran of seven MLS campaigns, TFC defender Steven Beitashour stressed the importance of winning games late in the season in order to build some momentum going into the playoffs.
“It’s huge. I don’t know what the stats are, but typically the team that wins the MLS Cup is on a bit of a roll just to finish off the season and going into the playoffs,” he said. “It’s one of those things that you would like to win Supporters’ Shield, have the best record, and win every single game. But at the end of the day, you want to be healthy and have good momentum going in to the playoffs.”
Chicago isn’t an easy assignment, though.
After a rough start with just one win in their opening 10 games, the Fire have earned eight out of a possible 15 points over their last five matches, and are now just six points out of a playoff spot.
“They’re 12 games unbeaten at home so they’ve developed some confidence in their form [at Toyota Park], “ Vanney said. “They’re a dangerous team. They’re by no means out of it. They can look at that red line and see that they still have a chance [at the playoffs].”
Vanney noted Chicago’s speed on the counter attack as their biggest threat. The Fire lead MLS with four counter-attacking goals in 2016, according to WhoScored.com. An important figure in the counter attack is forward David Accam, who has a team-leading seven goals and is considered the fastest player in MLS.
The Fire are also a tough team to break down.
“They are very committed to the defending side, of getting [players] behind the ball and slowing things down. In order to score against them, more times than not, you have to [beat] a lot of guys. They’ve been very steadfast and committed to that in recent weeks, and they’ve shown that they can hit you quick on the counter attack in just a couple of passes,” Vanney warned.
Captain Michael Bradley and forwards Jozy Altidore and Tosaint Ricketts are back with the club following the international break. All of them should feature against Chicago. Saturday’s game could also see Panamanian midfielder Armando Cooper make his TFC debut. Starting goalkeeper Clint Irwin is available for selection after a lengthy injury layoff, but look for Vanney to go with backup Alex Bono in net on Saturday.
NOTES: Sebastian Giovinco remains sidelined after suffering strains in his quadriceps and adductor. The Reds will also be missing midfielder Jay Chapman (MCL tear), and Ashtone Morgan (foot) and Mark Bloom (ankle) on Saturday… Toronto sports an all-time record of 5-9-8 against Chicago in MLS, but the Reds did win the previous contest, a 1-0 decision on July 9 at BMO Field… These teams will meet for the third and final time in 2016 on the last week of the season on Oct. 23 in Toronto… After the Chicago trip, TFC returns home for a four-game stint at BMO Field: New York Red Bulls (Sept. 18), Philadelphia (Sept. 24), Orlando City (Sept. 28) and D.C. United (Oct. 1).
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