TFC could match club win streak record
Despite the global pandemic and all that comes with it, league-leading Toronto FC is somehow ahead of its 2017 championship year pace.
Having clinched a playoff berth with its 1-0 victory Sunday in Cincinnati, Toronto (112-4) looks to match a club record with a sixth straight win Wednesday when the New York Red Bulls (7-8-2) visit TFC’s pandemic home in East Hartford, Conn.
Toronto is two points ahead of where it was in 2017 after 17 games (10-2-5), averaging 2.18 points a game, compared to 2.03 points three years ago.
And that comes despite some serious turnover. Drew Moor, Steven Beitashour, Victor Vazquez and Sebastian Giovinco, who all started the 2017 final against Seattle, have moved on. Alex Bono, who was in goal for the 2-0 championship win, is now Toronto’s backup keeper.
“It’s not really a fair comparison, but what I will say is this team shares similar qualities,” said defender Eriq Zavaleta. “Resiliency, our togetherness, the strength of our squad from top to bottom. I think this is also a special group.”
Wednesday’s game is the fourth in 12 days for Toronto, which faces Atlanta on Sunday.
The congested schedule has not been a problem. Toronto is undefeated in seven games (60-1), a run that also includes victories over Montreal, New York City FC, Columbus Crew SC, the Philadelphia Union and New England Revolution.
Vanney made seven changes to his starting lineup last time out with the likes of Ayo Akinola and Pablo Piatti on the bench and Chris Mavinga not even making the trip to Ohio.
TFC has lost just two of 27 regular-season games (15-2-10) since a 2-0 defeat at the Red Bulls on Aug. 3, 2019. A 3-1 loss to NYCFC on July 26 in roundof-16 play at the MLS is Back Tournament doesn’t count because the knockout rounds of the competition did not factor into the standings.
Toronto has won six straight in league play twice before, both in 2017 (April 21-May 13 and Aug. 12-Sept. 6).
In other news, Vanney says captain Michael Bradley is “very close” to returning from his knee injury. “I don’t necessarily think it will be (Wednesday) but … hopefully by the weekend.”