TORONTO FC FACES HARD ROAD TO SECURE A PLAYOFF SPOT
Not to be a Billy Bring-Down, but despite losing only one game in seven under new coach Javier Perez, Toronto FC sits deadlast in the Major League Soccer standings.
Which further shows how difficult it is going to be for the Reds to climb into a playoff spot.
With Inter Miami and Chicago winning last weekend and Cincinnati posting a draw with Orlando, the Reds have fallen into last place in the MLS Eastern Conference — nine points out of a playoff spot. Of the six games under Perez where the Reds have picked up points, four were draws. Not good enough as TFC has 16 regular season MLS games left and would have to leap frog ahead of seven teams to grab the final post-season spot.
Mission Impossible? Not according to Perez, who, following a dramatic comeback draw against New York City FC last weekend, told his players: “We are going to fight to the end to get into the playoffs. You proved that you can do it. We have another chance this weekend against the top of the table (New England). We beat them in their house.
Now we have to play them again here. And we're going to do it. We're going to beat them and we're going to go on a run. We are getting to know each other and we are getting the connection. We still have time.”
Strong words. Particularly when you look at TFC's tough schedule, starting on Saturday night when the Reds host the New England Revolution at BMO Field. All the Revs have done this season is post a league-best 40 points in 19 games and haven't lost in six straight. Only four teams in MLS history have had more than 40 points at this stage of a season: LA Galaxy (46) in 1998, D.C. United (44) in 2006, LAFC (43) in 2019 and TFC (41) in 2020. However, New England's last defeat was at the hands of TFC, a 3-2 loss on July 7 at Gillette Stadium. So perhaps all is not lost. TFC is unbeaten in six straight matches against the Revs (four wins, two draws) and has won each of its last four home matches against the boys from New England, outscoring them 13-4 in those matches.
“They're a tough opponent, on top of the league,” said TFC forward Ifunanyachi Achara, who has played the last two games for Toronto since returning from a year-long knee injury.
“But we're also confident because we've played them before and we came out with three points. We're not going to let our guard down. We're going to come out expecting them to give their best and it's going to be a really good game. But I feel good about the game, I feel good about the team. It should be a good challenge leading to the next couple of games.”
In the 2-2 draw against New York City FC last Saturday, the Reds stormed back from a 2-0 first half deficit to gain a draw after Perez replaced veterans Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley with youngsters Ralph Priso (midfield) and Achara (forward). Priso and Achara brought a ton of energy into the game and both recorded assists. It was the first time TFC collected a point in a match in which it trailed by at least two goals since a 4-4 draw with D.C. United in June 2018. The 23-year-old Achara has only played three total games for TFC since he was selected 25th overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft out of Georgetown University. But he has scored twice and posted an assist (one of those goals being called back) and there is a definite buzz around the young Nigerian, who can clearly score and also demonstrated a deft touch in terms of creating goals on Alejandro Pozuelo's tally against NYCFC.
“We're trying to find the right keys to be consistent in the performances and he's been proving that he's a really, really good player,” said Perez. “Now whether we can play him for a longer, extensive period of time, is not only up to me, but up to how the player feels and his development. We want to provide the best platform for him to succeed and contribute to the team, minimizing the risk of injury.
“Javier talked to me about my energy, he talked about my pace and the runs I make in behind, and how I play differently from most guys and how if I bring that in, and if we combine that with what Yeferson (Soteldo) brings and Poz and every other guy on the team brings, then we'll be in a good spot,” said Achara. “His message has been to be patient, go on the field, bring the energy, bring the speed, and see how we can change the game.”
Pozuelo returned to the lineup against NYCFC after missing two games with a leg injury and recorded a goal and an assist. Pozuelo is a possibility for Saturday's match, as is centre back Chris Mavinga (lower body injury), who missed the NYCFC match.
Canadian fans will also have their eyes on Revolution midfielder Tajon Buchanan, who has shined for his national team in recent international games.