TFC might tinker for success in East showdown
Super subs Johnson, Ricketts make case for starting roles with season on the line
Toronto FC’s starting lineup could have a different look for the second leg of the Eastern Conference final against the Montreal Impact on Wednesday, after some effective substitutions improved the Reds’ chances last week.
Coach Greg Vanney has employed the same starters since TFC’s final regular-season game on Oct. 23, in an attacking-friendly 3-5-2 formation that frees up fullbacks Steven Beitashour and Justin Morrow to support both the backline and the offence.
TFC thrived with that group for four games, but stumbled through the first 60 minutes of last Tuesday’s first leg, falling behind 3-0.
That’s when Vanney brought midfielder Will Johnson and striker To- saint Ricketts into the mix. Within 15 minutes, Toronto had struck back with goals from forward Jozy Altidore and captain Michael Bradley.
Now, if they win Wednesday night at BMO Field and hold Montreal to fewer than two goals, the Reds will advance to the MLS Cup final. It’s a dream that seemed farfetched with 30 minutes to play at Olympic Stadium.
“You look at that game, they just came in and changed the game. That’s a big reason why we get those two goals,” Altidore said. “We just didn’t have kind of a plan B.”
Vanney, who said the substitutions played a “big factor” in last week’s result, didn’t rule out a change Wednesday.
“It’s a new game. We have a little bit of last game to look at and some things to consider,” he said.
Johnson is the more likely of the two to move up. Bringing him in to replace Armando Cooper would mean only the slightest of changes to the Reds’ preferred formation, while offering more defensively.
The Canadian midfielder hasn’t started for Toronto since Sept. 24 against the Philadelphia Union and hopes his gritty performance in the Eastern final opener, which allowed Bradley to get more involved in TFC’s attack, earned him a place on the field at kickoff for Wednesday’s deciding game.
“Obviously when you get an opportunity you try to take it. You try to show your talents and what you’re capable of, and how that can affect the group in a positive way,” said the two-time MLS Cup winner. “We just have to resharpen, get focused, make sure we’re fully ready to go.”
He mentioned the 17-day break before the Eastern final opener, and the delay to last week’s start because the penalty areas needed to be repainted, as factors but not excuses for the sub-par performance: “We’re fully prepared to continue to battle and get ourselves out of it.”