Toronto hosts NYCFC Sunday night in what should be a great game. All eyes will be watching forwards David Villa and Sebastian Giovinco to lead their respective teams to the MLS semifinals. Both teams boast star players with astronomical wages. Success is expected when a team spends like Toronto and NYCFC do, but only one will walk away with a Semifinal berth.
Lets take a look at the key matchups.
How Toronto lines up in the back vs. David Villa and NYCFC forwards:
On Wednesday, against the Philadelphia Union, Toronto went with 5 in the back. The Union struggled to create space behind the Toronto backline as TFC defenders would just drop deep when a long ball was imminent. Meanwhile, wingbacks Steven Beitasashour and Justin Morrow had space to bomb up and down the wings when in possession. Union forwards didn’t know whether to press the 3 center backs (Drew Moor, Nick Hagglund and Eriq Zavalata) or the wingbacks who had pushed up the wing. This then gave issues to Union fullbacks who wanted to support their center-halves with Giovinco and Altidore, but also had the imminent danger or Beitashour and Morrow with acres of space in the wide areas. NYCFC will have to find a way to effectively press with 3 up top without giving away space on the wings.
Toronto will have an entirely different challenge Sunday, however. With David Villa leading the lines there will certainly be chances to score for NYCFC. We will have to wait and see who NYCFC starts with Villa, whether it be Steven Mendoza, Khiry Shelton, Tommy Macnamara or Jack Harrison. Each of these forwards will have to find ways to create space in front of the Toronto defense, but with a forward like David Villa leading the way, things should open up for NYCFC.
Dealing with Giovinco and Altidore:
Philly failed to contain the threat of Jozy and Sebastian, both of which notched a goal Wednesday night. Jefferson Mena and Frederic Brillant have played terrifically in the final stretch of the season. They will be up against a different monster Sunday. Both forwards have been in form, and shown why Toronto paid so much for them. Toronto will try to create 1v1’s against NYCFC, and just let Giovinco and Altidore run wild. NYCFC will need a defensive mid like Federico Bravo or even Andrea Pirlo to help shield the backline and prevent service into the two forwards. Meanwhile, Ronald Matarrita and Andoni Iraola will have to make the decision whether to help with Giovinco and Altidore, or defend wide and slow down Morrow and Beitashour.
Bradley vs. Lampard:
Michael Bradley did a great job marshaling Tranquillo Barnetta Wednesday, and keeping his involvement limited. He will have to do a similar job Sunday with the experienced Frank Lampard. Both midfielders are comparable in size, so it might not be as easy for Bradley to bully Lampard all game. Should Lampard break loose of Bradley, problems will arise in the Toronto backline.
Conclusion:
NYCFC and Toronto are two powerhouse Eastern Conference teams. The star forwards on either side will create chances and problems for the opposing defense so expect goals on either side. The victor will probably be the team that makes fewer mistakes. Any mistake in the back will be punished accordingly, as was evident in the Philly match. NYCFC might be the favorites Sunday, as they had the stronger finish to the season, and Toronto had just played a midweek game. But with Toronto as the home team, they will have the jubilant Toronto fans on their side.
