1 May 2008
MLS Primetime Preview: New York at Toronto
Posted by Drew Epperley under: Game Previews; MLS; New York Red Bulls; Toronto FC .
Honestly this may be one of those games tonight that I am really looking forward to watching. I don’t know why but for some reason seeing Toronto on a winning streak and a chance to move to the top of the table has me pretty jazzed up for this club and I’m not even a Toronto fan.
This is one of the few games so far this season with some spice to it as well. Old friends facing one another in a crazy environment at BMO Field. Lots of subplots here like Amado Guevara and Marvell Wynne facing their old teammates, Kevin Goldthwaite facing his old club from a year ago and who was dealt for in a trade by Toronto.
New York Red Bulls - at - Toronto FC: Lots of interesting goodness surrounding this game and it mostly is due to Amado Guevara facing his old mates from New York. Guevara has made a triumphant return to MLS, where he has helped the Reds build a three-game winning streak. I have a feeling he will want to show his old club that it was a mistake for trading him to Chivas a year ago.
Its not just the play of Guevara that has me excited here about this Toronto club. Its their new attack really. They are playing with more width on the field and are exposing other clubs in defense like never before. Not to mention they are getting some dangerous free kick chances due to Danny Dichio up front.
New York has a nice attack of their own but the question remains, is Juan Pablo Angel healthy enough to go a full 90 tonight? I don’t think he is, not to mention it may be wise for New York to sit him out since this game is played on the lovely Fieldturf at BMO Field.
Jozy Altidore has to continue his impressive streak tonight to lead New York. If he doesn’t show up then I cannot even begin to think the Red Bulls have a shot at this. Not to mention if your attack is dead (like we saw with KC last weekend) then your chances of winning in BMO Field are now next to nothing.
One thing that really worries me is the New York defense. I’ve said all season that I am not totally impressed with what they have right now. Sure they lead the league in goals-against but I also take into consideration who’ve they played and where so far in my reasons. I saw them in person here in Dallas and they didn’t impress me one bit. I think Toronto’s offense, with the way they’ve been playing as of late may be too much for them to handle.
A match-up to watch will have to be Maurice Edu against Claudio Reyna. I’m curious to see if Juan Carlos Osorio drops Reyna in the midfield to keep him away from Edu tonight. If he does we may see a more defensive-minded Red Bull team.
I like the home side in this one a bit more than the visitors. Its a night game, in a packed stadium, in front of a lot of people on TV. I like the Reds to continue their winning ways and move up into a tie for first place in the east with Columbus. Oh yeah, that means they’d be tied for first overall in MLS. Wow. That could very well be the case tonight.
WVH Prediction: Toronto 2, New York 1
