The New York Red Bulls head into their MLS Eastern Conference semifinal series against Toronto FC having dispatched one higher seed with authority, and looking to take out the top dog with their next action.
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TFC has other ideas, of course. This is the first step for a team that came within inches of winning the MLS Cup last season. After claiming every piece of silverware available so far in the regular season, there is just one more trophy for the team to win.
While MLS Cup is still a few weeks away, both teams will be looking to use this two-legged affair as a statement, not to mention an opportunity to advance.
| Game | New York Red Bulls vs. Toronto FC |
| Date | Monday, October 30 |
| Time | 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT |
TV CHANNEL & LIVE STREAM
In Canada, the match will be available to watch live in English on TSN 4. It will also be broadcast in French on TVA Sports.
| Canada TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| TSN 4, TVA Sports | TSN Go |
In the U.S., the match be available to watch live on FS1.
| U.S. TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| FS1 | Fox Sports Go |
SQUADS & TEAM NEWS
| Position | Toronto FC players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Irwin, Bono, Pais |
| Defenders | Morrow, Moor, Morgan, Hagglund, Hernandez, Zavaleta, Mavinga, Hasler, Alseth, Aubrey, Beitashour |
| Midfielders | Bradley, Vazquez, Cheyrou, Chapman, Delgado, Camargo, Osorio, Cooper, Edwards |
| Forwards | Endoh, Giovinco, Altidore, Spencer, Hamilton, Ricketts |
The only real question mark for Greg Vanney is who will start at the right wingback position. With Steven Beitashour fully healthy the spot seems his to lose, but Nicolas Hasler has given the attack a different look when given the minutes.
With everyone healthy, the rest of the squad is set.
Potential starting XI: Bono; Mavinga, Moor, Zavaleta; Morrow, Vazquez, Bradley, Delgado, Beitashour; Giovinco, Altidore
| Position | New York Red Bulls players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Louro, Meara, Robles |
| Defenders | Baah, Collin, Escobar, Lade, Lawrence, Long, Murillo, Ndam, Perrinelle, Zizzo |
| Midfielders | Adams, Basuljevic, Bezecourt, Davis, Duka, Etienne, Grella, Kljestan, Martins, Metzger, Muyl, Royer, Veron |
| Forwards | Abang, Allen, Keita, Wright-Phillips |
With Daniel Royer back in the fold, the Red Bulls are far more dynamic in attack than they had been in previous weeks. In addition, Jesse Marsch has implemented a 3-5-2 in recent months to take advantage of the team's wide players.
Potential starting XI: Robles; Perrinelle, Long, Murillo; Lawrence, Royer, Felipe, Davis, Adams; Kljestan; Wright-Phillips
GAME PREVIEW
It's the top seed versus the bottom in a matchup that may not be as lopsided as it seems.
The Red Bulls have enjoyed recent success after implementing a 3-5-2 formation, something that TFC is very familiar with. After a late-summer swoon, New York found new life with a different identity within the framework Jesse Marsch established years ago. Still very much a high-pressing team, the Red Bulls have taken advantage of their strength in central midfield and out wide by employing the new formation, and it resulted in a three-game unbeaten streak to end the regular season before Wednesday's 4-0 demolition of the Chicago Fire.
Standing in their way is a Toronto squad that has looked unstoppable at times this season. However, TFC's form dipped slightly when the calendar turned to fall and teams started figuring out how to get behind the three-man defence. To Greg Vanney's credit, the TFC coach has shown tactical flexibility and pragmatism in dealing with the dip in form, and Toronto ended the regular season winning eight of the last 11 games.
Toronto is clearly favoured in this match up, but with Bradley Wright-Phillips' goal scoring record against TFC, the Red Bulls cannot be easily counted out.