Toronto FC look to make it a successful home stand as confidence is high leading into their third match this week hosting DC United on Saturday afternoon. It is a rematch of the Reds 2-1 win at RFK Stadium on June 6, a result that signaled the team is for real and capable of knocking off the best teams in MLS. These two sides have both had good results at BMO Field, so a win is not a sure thing for either club as they fight for top spot in the Eastern Conference.
DC have bounced back from the loss to Toronto, while TFC made a huge statement after losing to New York City FC last weekend and making Montreal pay on Wednesday night with a clinical 3-1 victory. It is always a fascinating match up between these clubs as only two years ago they were the worst teams in the league and now are top contenders. They have taken much different paths to where they are now and preparation will likely be where the edge lies for one of them to get the desired result.
Keep thinking
After such a promising run of results and performances, TFC crashed down to earth last weekend as they were subject to a rugged approach executed perfectly to nullify the skills and techniques of their DPs superstars. The Reds left that game with their blood boiling, but an important opportunity to use it as motivation against their closest and truest rivals, the Montreal Impact.
After a drab Saturday night display, TFC supporters were ecstatic to see beautiful football at BMO Field as the Impact simply could not duplicate New York's strategy, which allowed the Reds to overrun Montreal in almost every category. What was most encouraging to see was that Giovinco not only bounced back and put in what has become a stellar standard of play, but his fellow DPs contended for man of the match performances.
Much has been made of Michael Bradley through 2014 and his dip in form after the opening two months of the campaign. Coming into 2015 he had much to prove in terms of his value as well as earning the armband as the team captain. Greg Vanney had his work cut out to establish an approach that gets the most out of not just all his players, but three who are earning huge salaries from an MLS perspective. Bradley especially has been the subject of criticism of playing without a role and not being as effective as needed. However, over the last two months Vanney has found a place in the midfield where he has been improving on his cohesiveness with teammates and Wednesday night was arguably his best game for Toronto since the 2-0 win over Columbus last season.
This is critical for this upcoming weekend against DC because, first, the Reds were able to beat them on the road without Bradley three weeks back, but the team firing on all cylinders will be essential to replicating the Montreal result against a much more formidable opponent.
TFC's win at DC certainly sent a huge shockwave through the league not only about how good Giovinco is, but that the Reds are emerging as serious contenders. DC took that result on the chin and after losing a second on the bounce to Orlando, have won three in row, two in MLS play against New England and Chicago. There is no doubt that DC United will be coming to BMO Field to settle a score, and they have the players right now to pull it off.
Toronto are now taking pride in having an attack never seen before in the club's history, however, despite DC not having the big names, have the depth, balance and options to counter what TFC offers. Chris Rolfe and Connor Doyle have been seeing plenty of the pitch and scoring, while Ben Olsen has the options of Fabian Espindola, Joao Arrietta, Nick Deleon and Luis Silva all capable of contributing. That is a long list of potential goalscorers for any club to keep track of over ninety minutes.
Even with this corps it is the defence which has been DC's hallmark so far this season, with the fewest goals allowed in the conference. Bill Hamid's qualities are well known, and Bobby Boswell has been a solid mentor to Steve Birnbaum to develop a solid centre back tandem. With Perry Kitchen the key in the midfield, it will be a tough group to break down.
As most TFC supporters and now most of MLS knows, despite the experience and abilities, the key to unlocking most defences has been a 5'5 Italian. Giovinco continues to make defenders look foolish and something to watch is if DC look for some physical revenge from June 6 and follow in New York's footsteps. The only aside to this approach is Greg Vanney and TFC should now be prepared for a Plan B and getting other players involved.
In a tough match like this one, there are a few areas Toronto needs to be prepared in. Goalkeeping has not been particularly sharp of late and Chris Konopka's decision-making has come into question. Both last weekend and midweek he made poor passes from the 18 to marked defenders. Fortunately on Wednesday it did not lead to a turnover and goal. If Giovinco cannot be the lynchpin for creativity, then Michael Bradley and Jonathan Osorio will need to step up. Osorio especially, as good as he's been of late, needs to find that final touch in the 18 yard box to direct the ball into goal. Bradley has been atrocious in shooting, but scored a clinical goal and was better in shot direction. Should TFC have a solid outing between the sticks and Giovinco has the support seen on Wednesday, the Reds should feel confident chances will come, goals will follow and three points secured.
In the end
After a disappointing display last weekend against NYCFC, Toronto came out midweek and delivered the kind of performance that was worth the price of admission and more. DC come to BMO Field looking to exact revenge on a TFC side that snapped a 20 game home unbeaten run and have been in good form with back to back wins. These are two teams with very different approaches to their make-up, but appear to be the potentially the two best in the conference. Greg Vanney has done well to get the roles and responsibilities correct for his key players and if players such as Michael Bradley, Jonathan Osorio, Jozy Altidore and Benoit Cheyrou put in the kind of determination seen from Giovinco over the last two months, the Reds will close the gap on the top of the table.
Prediction
Toronto FC 2 – 1 DC United
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