That’s fortunate for Toronto, because the game against New York does not arrive at an opportune time. Sebastian Giovinco’s cameo appearances for the Italian national team were an honour for Toronto FC and their star player, but having played in Rome just last evening he will certainly be unavailable for the Reds for only the second time this season. Likewise, Jozy Altidore played in the American national team’s loss to Costa Rica yesterday as well.
It’s not all negative news regarding designated players however. On the positive side, captain Michael Bradley returned to the team early after the United States’ loss to Mexico on the weekend. That said, while he’ll undoubtedly expect to start versus the Red Bulls, Bradley did play the entire 120 minutes and has had to travel back from southern California where the game was held.
Having already clinched a playoff spot, New York have other objectives. In first place overall in Major League Soccer, and with three games left to play, the Red Bulls have the inside track on the 2015 Supporter’s Shield. Head coach Jesse Marsch has asserted that he “doesn’t care” about the trophy, but it would still be a feather in the cap of the first year coach.
Having parted ways with all of their own expensive designated players and popular former coach Mike Petke, most fans of the New Jersey based club were not anticipating such a successful season. Even if equalling Petke’s achievement of winning the Shield isn’t Marsch’s top priority, locking in a first round playoff bye and potential home field advantage were the Red Bulls to make it to MLS Cup should. Since moving to the non-neutral site final no host team is yet to loss a Cup final.
For Toronto, almost as important as the point they need to make the playoffs is the chance to show that they can compete with a playoff calibre side. The Red Bulls summarily dismissed the Reds in a meeting back in mid-August. That was during an inconsistent stretch for TFC but was indicative of a larger pattern: Toronto FC has not been beating teams they are likely to meet in the playoffs for many months. Other than Montreal, the last time TFC beat a team currently in a playoff position was way back on June 6th in Washington, D.C. The points they have collected since then all count, but if Toronto wants to do more than simply make the playoffs – if they want to host a playoff game, or win the ones they play in – more will be required.
Consequently, this is not a game Reds fans should be writing off. Giovinco’s absence and the Red Bulls’ quality do not render it moot. One point is all the Reds need, and grinding out a result against a good opponent is a more than reasonable expectation. Achieve that, and we’ll all be in a much better position to enjoy the last two games of the season. In itself, that would be another achievement for TFC.