Reds are warming to the task
TFC begins busy stretch trying to neutralize Nani in sweltering Orlando
After practising in tuques on Thursday, Toronto FC jetted south for a steamy afternoon date Saturday with Orlando City SC.
It was 6 C at BMO Field but felt like 2 C. In contrast, the forecast for central Florida calls for 31 C — feeling like 33 — for the 4 p.m. kickoff at Orlando City Stadium.
“It’s going to be hot,” winger Nick DeLeon, an Arizona native, said with a smile. “And that is when hydration, nutrition really come into play. It’s definitely going to be the warmest weather I’ve been in this year.”
“We’ve got to be smart in how we play,” coach Greg Vanney added. “Make sure that we keep things under control, (at) the tempo we like. Take care of the ball, all those kind of things.”
The home side isn’t immune to the heat. Pro Soccer USA notes that Orlando, since entering the league in 2015, is 4-9-8 in 21 league matches in May.
Saturday marks the first of five games in 15 days for Toronto (4-2-1), which is about to pay the price for a light schedule to start the season. Vanney and his team will leave Orlando directly for a Wednesday game in Atlanta before hosting Philadelphia on May 11 and D.C. United on May 15. A May 18 game in Salt Lake City wraps up the busy section.
You can add defence to the list of things Toronto has to be mindful of in Orlando. TFC has given up 10 goals in its past four games (1-2-1) after yielding just three in its first three league outings (3-0-0). TFC ranks 19th in the league in goals against, giving up 1.86 goals a game.
Veteran centre back Drew Moor is expected to miss the game in Orlando, his fourth straight absence with an adductor injury and then a calf issue.
Chris Mavinga, Laurent Ciman and Eriq Zavaleta are Vanney’s centre-back option.
After opening the season at 1-2-2, Orlando has gone 2-1-1 in its last four outings. Portugal’s Nani, a former Manchester United forward, leads the team with five goals and has scored the game-winner twice.
The 32-year-old designated player, who has won 112 international caps, has scored in his last four games and been involved in seven of Orlando’s last eight goals (five goals, two assists).
Nani has also scored each of Orlando’s last four goals, tying Canadian Cyle Larin’s 2015 club record for most consecutive goals scored. Nani’s four-game scoring streak is one shy of the Orlando club record set by Dom Dwyer over the end of 2017 and start of last season.
“Like a lot of the guys who are difference-makers in this league, you have to be aware of him at all times,” Vanney said. “If we can entice him or force him to defend a little but, that will help.
“But there’s a lot of times where he doesn’t necessarily engage fully in the defensive action. He stays out and they look for him in the transition. Then he gets on the ball and can be dangerous.”
Toronto is coming off a 2-1loss to visiting Portland with Vanney saying his players were disconnected on the pitch.
Toronto will have to take on Orlando without star striker Jozy Altidore, still working his way back from a minor hamstring injury. Canadian Jordan Hamilton started in his place with teenager Ayo Akinola and Terrence Boyd also options.
Vanney also has a decision to make in goal after giving Quentin Westberg a second start over incumbent Alex Bono last weekend.
“I’m not concerned right now who’s No. 1, who’s No. 2,” Vanney said. “I’m just concerned about us becoming more solid and better at what we do.”