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As reluctant as most will be, players and fans alike, it's time to switch gears from the World Cup and recommence MLS as Toronto FC are on the road to visit Eastern Conference rivals the New York Red Bulls. Prior to the break, the Reds managed to run off a mini-spell of good form, grabbing points and finding themselves in an advantageous position in the standings. TFC have won two on the bounce in the league, and are undefeated in five games, three of which have been wins.
New York are just below Toronto in the conference, however the Reds have games in hand, and the Red Bulls will be looking to enact some revenge on their 2-0 loss at BMO field just over a month ago. It wasn't beautiful football, and had Bradley Wright-Phillips been more clinical with his finishing it might have been a different story, but in the end Toronto earned the three points. Away to New York brings back painful memories for TFC supporters and if a page has been turned on this history of this club, getting a result - even a draw, will go a long way in ensuring they edge closer to their first post-season.
Keep thinking
Through the end of May and into early June, quietly, Toronto FC went on a run of results that has now put them in a strong position in the Eastern Conference. While the performances not totally convincing, and in between being eliminated from the Voyageurs Cup for the second straight year by Montreal, somehow they pulled through in their last five league games to jockey within a shout of first place.
It has been a mix between determined performances, as seen in the come-from-behind win over Columbus, to Jermain Defoe knocking in the kind of goals you pay D.P. money for. The first encounter this year against New York was an example of this, where coming down the right side, Defoe only needed one touch in the area to send a howitzer top corner, which was enough to secure the win.
However, it must be noted the Reds have been without their midfield lynchpin Michael Bradley, and it has been noticeable over the last several games. Even when he was available, it was evident that he was not at 100% fitness or offering the kind of displays seen in the first few weeks of the season. Without him, Toronto's midfield struggles to compete and this will be a challenge ahead of matching up with the Red Bulls.
Away to New York is never an easy proposition for TFC, and if we go on history, it is ripe for a bloodbath. 2009 was just the beginning, and not the only 5-0 defeat away to the Red Bulls. While Toronto has looked better on the road over the last year, it is not a stretch to look over the last few outings, and especially the first match in Toronto, to see this is a more even battle that the 2-0 scoreline reflected. New York certainly rued Wright-Phillips point-blank miss in the second half, and it would have leveled the game at 1-1. At home, one would expect more determination from New York and the Reds will need to stay sharp and disciplined to avoid conceding disappointing goals.
Ryan Nelsen hasn't been adventurous in his tactics, but we almost saw an opportunity for that in the last home game when he was due to have Jermain Defoe, Luke Moore and Gilberto all on the pitch together. However, the Brazilian forward picked up a knock in the warm-up and supporters had to wait another day to see if all three attackers can form synergy to make the Reds a more formidable offensive threat. Gilberto still is undecided ahead of this game, which means it might be another week before the young DP sees the pitch again.
If Gilberto is not available, it looks like it could be another gritty affair in the midfield with the likes of Jonathan Osorio, Collen Warner and Kyle Bekker the options in the middle. Even without Gilberto or Bradley, TFC still has the option of Dwayne De Rosario and newly acquired Dominic Oduro, who can both be x-factors and offers real threats moving forward.
Warner has looked good early on for the Reds and that will be important to watch as he will likely be the one relied upon to monitor New York's build-up from Thierry Henry, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Johnny Steele and Dax McCarty. While New York have been far from the perennial Eastern Conference contenders this season, they are still a side where if they are firing on all cylinders, could open up a defence and score in bunches.
For Toronto, defending is not the biggest worry as they have looked strong of late with Steve Caldwell offering veteran leadership and the younger players of Mark Bloom, Doneil Henry and Nick Hagglund providing impressive displays considering their experience. For Bloom, it will be an opportunity to redeem himself from his TFC-debut that was bright at first, but turned into the Thierry Henry show at his expense. The fullback has make huge strides since and will offer much more come Friday night to deliver are more sound defensive outing.
In the end
It has been some time since Toronto could go into New York with a bit of confidence and surity they would not be blown out. While the Reds have had some poor results this year on the road, Ryan Nelsen has instilled a stingy approach that while not always exciting to watch, has made them more difficult to unlock and keep them competitive with most sides in MLS. New York certainly have dangerous players to monitor for the full ninety minutes, however, so do the Reds and Jermain Defoe has shown over the last month he needs not only one chance, but only one touch, to put one in the back of the net. His confidence will go a long way in raising the team right now, who will look to take the games they have in hand and continue to establish themselve as a playoff contender.
Prediction
Toronto FC 1 – 1 New York Red Bulls
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