TFC not about to throw caution to the wind
Greg Vanney expects Tigres to “assume” they’re the better side. But Toronto FC’s head coach also issued the Mexican mega-club something of a warning ahead of Tuesday night’s decisive CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal: The Reds have players who’ve repeatedly shown they can hurt teams that throw caution to the wind and pour numbers forward with reckless abandon.
“I think we’re quicker. I think we’re stronger. I think we’re faster and more agile on the front side of things than they are on the back side,” Vanney told Postmedia Monday afternoon at the club’s luxury downtown Monterrey hotel. “I do think the more numbers they push forward, the more interesting things become on the transition for us.”
This much is clear: The Reds aren’t here to simply protect a narrow, one- goal ( 2-1) first- leg lead. They’re not here to play cautious, either. They understand they’re going to need at least a goal and that the Tigres’ absolutely stacked attack is going to create multiple chances in this do-or-die fixture.
“The game is going to be won or lost in the time between when we lose possessions and get back into our set defending shape,” Vanney added. “If we can control that, I think we win the series.”
It’s about knowing when to commit numbers forward and when to protect goal. Reflecting back, Vanney couldn’t recall the Tigres creating any chances last week when his side had numbers behind the ball through the opening 20 minutes at BMO Field. However, the Tigres looked dangerous when TFC’s three central defenders were left isolated as TFC went in search of an equalizer and, eventually, a match-winner.
“Our teams are fairly similar in our attacking strengths,” Vanney said. “But I think we’re a better defending team. That’s what I think. We have the edge. That’s our willingness to get together as a group and really defend and work on our defending and take pride in our defending.
“They win games because they have a powerful attack,” Vanney added.
Tigres’ attack isn’t just powerful, though. It’s arguably the best currently on offer in the Americas.
French forward Andre- Pierre Gignac is the best player in CONCACAF. His attacking partners, Chilean Eduardo Vargas and Ecuadoran Enner Valencia, would fit seamlessly into most European clubs. Mexican winger Javier Aquino showed his quality at last summer’s Confederations Cup and caused problems in the opening leg.
The aforementioned foursome very nearly punished TFC last week when things opened up late in the second half as the Reds pushed for the goal that could see them through to the Champions League semifinals.
“We talked about it,” Vanney said. “We can’t disregard our responsibilities on the defensive end. We have to be more aware... that we can’t have six, seven guys running into the attack.”
Yet can the Reds still find the right moments to get forward without leaving themselves vulnerable? Can they be secure with the ball in the defensive- and middle- thirds? Can they find Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore early, when the home side is caught forward searching for goals?
“It’s going to require we come here and get a goal and find the right moments to push the tempo,” Vanney offered. “Spaces tend to open up in these games. A lot of these games end up being five guys working defensively and five guys attacking and the space in between becomes quite open. I think it’s just going to come down to the team that makes the plays when the plays are there to be made.”
Contending with “The Volcano” is the other major obstacle. The Estadio Universitario should be brimming with yellow- clad supporters who are eager to see their side avenge a first-leg loss.
“You learn to just focus on the game and the situations in the game,” Vanney said of contending with the crowd. “You don’t get caught up in the things that don’t have an impact on your ability to complete a play. You have to put the distractions aside and think about the task at hand.”
Most expect the task to be too big. A Mexican reporter reminded Vanney Monday night that Tigres hasn’t lost at their home ground in 23 straight games dating back to last year.
“We’ve never played here,” Vanney answered. “We have no bearing on their past results.”
The past does, however, have some bearing on this series. The Reds, in many ways, are carrying the MLS flag into this fixture, knowing full well the result here will be an indictment on their league.
“I don’t think our guys see it that way,” Vanney said. “I think our guys look at this as an opportunity to go and do something different and unique. They’re willing to put themselves out there and go for it.”
Toronto FC doesn’t merely want to survive and advance Tuesday night in Monterrey. The Reds want to show they can compete inside The Volcano while taking it to the odds-on favourite.
“We beat them, which gives (this series) a little bit more notoriety,” Vanney added. “They’re on the back foot. They have to push it a little bit. They’re aware of those things.”
That might not be a good thing.