Flexibility key to TFC’s success, Bradley says
MLS fans saw Toronto FC escape its semifinal series. Michael Bradley viewed that series with the New York Red Bulls differently.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s Eastern Conference final, Bradley summarized why surviving that ugly series backs up what he’s been saying all season.
“Our ability to win games in all different ways has made the difference for us this year,” Bradley said before the Reds departed for Columbus. “We have real flexibility in how we do things, in the way we can play, in the way we approach games — whether they’re at home or on the road.”
Preparation and personnel and winning differently has been front and centre since TFC’s top attacking players picked up silly suspensions last series.
Jozy Altidore was red-carded for an alleged halftime punch-up while Sebastian Giovinco received cautions in consecutive games.
Swings in momentum and emotion can alter the complexion of these two-legged affairs.
“That was my point after the Red Bulls series when people tried to act like we didn’t play well or that we were lucky,” Bradley said. “The reality was simple: Over 180 minutes we were the team that went through and we did everything to navigate our way through that series.”
Now, Toronto FC enters another massive test missing two of the league’s best players.
While the Reds talked about going after goals, Tuesday’s game probably will look a lot like the regular season finale in Atlanta.
“We have to have the ability to read the game and understand what is working and what isn’t and ... be ready on the night to get a big result and make sure we come back (to Toronto) ready to finish the job,” Bradley said.