After a second half come-from-behind performance, the Montreal Impact secured home field advantage in its first round playoff game with a 2-1 win over rivals Toronto FC on Sunday. Both sides already saw what the other can do and now it’s time to see which team can adapt with only a few days to prepare for the all-important rematch.
Offensive Organisation
Toronto FC lined up on paper in a 4-4-2 at Stade Saputo on Sunday evening, with designated players Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore up front as strikers. In reality, this shape turned into a 4-2-4 with both wide midfielders, Jonathan Osorio and Robbie Findley, pushing up on Montreal’s full backs.
The visitors favour a more patient build up when in possession, with lots of short passes and combinations in the midfield. Benoit Cheyrou and Michael Bradley are the central midfielders responsible for dictating play.
The Reds find success by predictably playing between the lines for Giovinco, who likes to drop into the intervals to collect penetrating passes his way. Where TFC become dangerous is when the Italian has enough space to turn around with the ball and dribble towards the opponent’s net.
Neutralizing Giovinco is the key to ending Toronto FC’s offensive hopes.
Defensive Organisation
Just like they are offensively, Toronto is patient when defending and often a little too patient. The team favoured sitting back and waiting for the Impact at the halfway line.
Toronto had some trouble defending the flanks and found themselves in two familiar situations. Either a TFC player wouldn’t close down and pressure the ball carrier quick enough, or if he did, there was no covering defender ready to help.
As stated in his postgame press conference, Greg Vanney was not happy with his team’s shape and pointed out they were too narrow defensively.
The Final Word
Toronto FC is a team that relies on individual offence, but defensively, the Reds finished the MLS regular season tied for last in the league by conceding 58 goals in 34 matches. The team’s 58 goals scored allowed them to make the playoffs as the 6th and final seed in the Eastern Conference and with the lowest point total amongst all the 12 playoff teams.
