Toronto FC could not have asked for a better opening leg. The Reds scored two late goals and held New York City FC off the scoreboard. The second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals goes on Sunday, November 6 at 6:30 PM on TSN 4/5. Here is what you need to know heading into the second leg:
New York City FC needs to win the second leg by three goals in regulation time to advance straight away. Should NYCFC win by two, tie-breaking rules come into play. Away goals are the first tie-breaking measure, so if the Reds can score just once on Sunday, NYCFC (zero away goals) would need to score four times to advance. If New York wins the second leg 2-0, the series would move to 30 minutes of extra time. If the tie is not broken, the winner will be decided by penalty kicks. Obviously, TFC still have work to do and anything can happen at Yankee Stadium, but the Reds have put themselves in a great position to advance.
The Reds got late goals from both Jozy Altidore and Tosaint Ricketts in their first-leg win. Captain Michael Bradley also put together one of his best performances as a Red on Sunday. “I thought he was outstanding,” said coach Greg Vanney, “I thought he did an incredible job of covering ground and helping drive some of our pressure. It was one of the best nights I’ve ever seen from him with us.”
Toss the boss. #TFCLivepic.twitter.com/4r7Q5Y22vR
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) October 31, 2016
The Reds will now train in Toronto this week before heading to New York on Saturday. Greg Vanney should have his full team available for selection, as the coach mentioned that no one was dealing with any significant injuries after training on Monday.
The theme around the New York City locker room after Sunday’s match was “believe”. “We still believe in ourselves – why not? You never know what’s going to happen. It’s what I believe myself and I trust it,” said defender Maxime Chanot. Coach Patrick Vieira reiterated the same feelings in his post-game press conference.
City headed back home following the game on Sunday. They had a recovery day on Monday and will now train the remainder of the week in preparation for the first ever playoff game at Yankee Stadium. There has been no news on the injury front yet. Andrea Pirlo was held out of the first leg with a “mild calf issue” that he picked up in training. He is expected to be available for the second leg. There has also been no update on midfielder Mikey Lopez who was taken off with an apparent injury on Sunday. However, Frank Lampard is expected to return to the starting 11 in the second leg.
Stay tuned at TorontoFC.ca for all your TFC news and information and be prepared to cheer on your Reds in the second leg on Sunday at 6:30PM EST on TSN 4/5.
