Reds look to build on best MLS record
Toronto FC can expect the cavalry to come charging in on Sunday, though it’s not as if the club has been holding on for dear life. Even without some of their high- priced, big- name players in the lineup, the Reds have been winning most of the battles they’ve faced this season.
Coach Greg Vanney said that there is “a very good chance” midfielder Michael Bradley, who is returning from a Grade 2 MCL strain, will play against Atlanta United at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium on Sunday night. Veteran defender Justin Morrow, who has been out with a calf strain, may also be available. Forward Jozy Altidore, with a hamstring strain, is likely out for the remainder of the regular season.
Yet despite the loss of Altidore, Bradley and Morrow off and on this season — a designated player, the team captain and former designated player, and a valuable veteran defender — and the fact that they haven’t played any home games at BMO Field since Sept. 1 — the Reds have cruised to the best record in Major League Soccer ( 11W-2L- 5D). TFC is looking to extend its unbeaten streak to nine games against a rebuilding Atlanta side that is fighting to remain in a playoff spot with 19 points. The return of Bradley and Morrow is certainly welcome, but it’s not like the club has been fighting to stay afloat. The Reds are obviously a club that has the potential to keep winning even if key players go down, a luxury many MLS teams don’t have.
“We have, as Poz ( Alejandro Pozuelo) has alluded to a couple of times, a good team,” said Vanney on Friday. “We have a lot of depth in our team, we have a lot of experience. We still have a group of guys who have won a lot of big games together, and we have some up- and- coming players who are capable of playing in this league. Obviously Ayo ( Akinola) has really stepped in and has proven his value. Pat ( Mullins) in the absence of Jozy ( has stepped up). ( And) obviously our midfield, filling in for Michael, guys have stepped up in slightly different roles: Oso ( Jonathan Osorio) and Marky ( Delgado) and Liam ( Fraser). We have some versatility, too, in that we can mix up our shape a little bit. We don’t always have to play the same way and we can use different relationships and different partnerships.
“I t hought Tsubasa ( Endoh) stepped in ( on Wednesday night in a 1- 1 draw against New York Red Bulls) and was excellent,” the coach added. “He’s had to be a little bit patient as we’ve tried to bring some of the young guys along. But he stepped in and didn’t miss a beat. Tony ( Gallacher) has come in and helped our team a lot. The centre backs have also stepped up through this series of games. Everybody’s riding the wave of confidence. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the first guy, second guy, or third guy in the position, everybody is feeling the confidence and they know when they’re called upon they have to step up because things are rolling and they’ve got to hold up their end of the bargain. There’s a nice camaraderie and everybody’s supporting each other through the process and through each one of these games.”
Vanney said another player who has stepped up is Nick Deleon, who constantly lends a maturity to the team.
FANS IN THE STANDS
TFC and the State of Connecticut will allow some fans to purchase tickets for the club’s last regular season home game at Pratt & Whitney Stadium on Nov. 1 against Inter Miami CF. The East Hartford stadium has been TFC’S home since it was decreed that the club can no longer play at BMO Field because of the COVID- 19 pandemic. The attendance will be capped at 5,000 with two prices points in the 38,000- seat stadium. Fans will be required to wear a mask or face covering and adhere to social distancing within the stadium. Tickets will go on sale on Monday at 10 a. m. and can be purchased at www. rentschlerfield. com. There was initial talk that TFC might be able to return home for playoff games at BMO, although that has largely been ruled out because the number of COVID-19 cases in the GTA has increased dramatically the last few weeks.
HOME SWEET HOME
TFC will fly back to Toronto following Sunday’s match against Atlanta to give the players, coaches and team staff a chance to spend a couple of days at home with their families — under quarantine. They will return to Hartford on Wednesday to prepare for the club’s next match Oct. 24 against Philadelphia at Subaru Park.
Vanney said the break is welcome, adding that “every point matters” as there is talk that MLS is considering positioning teams for the playoffs in the standings based on points per game as opposed to overall points because there’s a chance not all the teams will play a complete season due to COVID.
“That becomes challenging because there are a lot of teams that will finish with the full number of games and have had to endure some really difficult stretches,” said Vanney. “At the end of the day, it’s not going to exactly be fair because it’s just not an even playing field.”