The New York Red Bulls will travel to Toronto on Wednesday, October 14 for the team’s second match against Toronto FC this season. Pregame coverage begins on MSG at 6:30 p.m. EDT with kickoff and regular match coverage beginning at 7.
New York Red Bulls
- Record: 16-9-6, 54 points, 1st in the Eastern Conference
- Previous Match: 2-1 win vs. Montreal Impact
- Record in Last Five Matches: 3-2-0
- Leading Goal Scorer: Bradley Wright-Phillips (15)
- Assist Leader: Sacha Kljestan (12)
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (75)
Toronto FC
- Record: 14-13-4, 46 points, 5th in the Eastern Conference
- Previous Match: 3-1 win vs. Philadelphia Union
- Record in Last Five Matches: 3-2-0
- Leading Goal Scorer: Sebastian Giovinco (21)
- Assist Leader: Sebastian Giovinco (15)
- Saves Leader: Chris Konopka (57)
Scouting Toronto FC
Toronto’s offense is one of the most powerful in MLS; they’ve scored a league-leading 55 goals – a tally shared with none other than the Red Bulls – with 33 of those coming from just two players, Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore. Those 55 goals have come from 326 shots, giving Toronto the joint-highest conversion rate of 17%.
Such offensive prowess has all but kept them in the playoff race. On the other side of the field, Toronto’s defense has conceded 53 goals, the second-most of any team this season. 32 of those goals have been conceded at home. Toronto also haven’t kept a clean sheet since their 5-0 win against Orlando City on August 22.
Next Man Up
With Giovinco definitely out – and both Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore possibly out – for international duty, others will have to step up in their absences. Jonathan Osorio could prove troublesome; he made MLS Team of the Week last week for his performance in Toronto’s win against Philadelphia Union and has made 6 assists this season, the joint third-most of any Toronto player. The second-most, 7, have been made by Benoit Cheyrou.
But with the possibility of missing the players who have scored 69% of their goals, who will Osorio or Cheyrou be able to pick out with their assists? Altidore and Giovinco generally find themselves as the two up top, but there are some others who can form the forward line:
Marky Delgado: Delgado assisted Jozy Altidore’s goal against Philadelphia – his 3rd of the season – but he’s also not unfamiliar with doing the scoring himself: he’s scored 3 goals this season, the most behind Toronto’s main three. However, he hasn’t found the net since August 22.
Herculez Gomez: Gomez made his first appearance for Toronto in their last match against the Red Bulls, and he could possibly be set to make his 5th in their second. The only shot he’s recorded this season came against the Red Bulls, and it came from a combination of skill and pace that has recently allowed strikers to slip in behind the high-pressed Red Bulls defense.
Robbie Findley: Though Findley has been utilized as a midfielder lately, he’s listed as a striker for Toronto and this game could be his chance to prove why that is. So far this season, he’s scored two goals from his seven shots on goal so far this season.
Red Bulls’ Players to Watch
Toronto’s offensive scramble in the wake of losing at least one and possibly three of their most prolific players will only be hurt further by the solidity they’ll be facing from the Red Bulls. Luis Robles just won his second MLS Save of the Week in three weeks and his 3rd overall this season; he also kept a clean sheet against Toronto in the last match between the two teams. The back line has withstood players like Kei Kamara and Didier Drogba, with Sal Zizzo and Ronald Zubar stepping up successfully in place of Matt Miazga and Kemar Lawrence. Finally, Connor Lade secured a spot in last week’s MLS Team of the Week for proving his ability to defend on both the right and left sides.
Lade also assisted a goal in that match, and the Red Bulls ability to press like that could prove deadly to the shaky Toronto defense. Lloyd Sam could also give them trouble as he seeks to score in his fourth straight match, and Bradley Wright-Phillips will be looking to make it two in two against Toronto and 16 for the season.
