In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue looks at the strengths and weaknesses of a dysfunctional Toronto FC, New York City FC‘s opponent in tomorrow’s game at Red Bull Arena: Here is your NYCFC vs Toronto preview.
While NYCFC are coming off a dominant 2-0 win over Orlando City, Toronto suffered a 4-0 pummeling by an Inter Miami that played most of the game without Lionel Messi or Jordi Alba. New York City will try to build on the 5-0 win over Toronto at RBA in the Leagues Cup group stage — and put aside the 1-0 loss to Toronto at BMO Field in April.
1. Toronto are a dumpster fire of a team
Toronto sit rock-bottom of the Eastern Conference, even on points with the Colorado Rapids for the worst record in MLS. They have lost nine of their last ten games, with their only win a surprising 3-1 triumph over Philadelphia Union at the end of August. The club fired former head coach Bob Bradley in June, traded center back Matt Hedges to Austin FC in July, sent Canada intentional Richie Laryea to the Vancouver Whitecaps in August, and lost goalkeeper (and former NYCFC captain) Sean Johnson to a hand injury last month. Not only are the team unhappy, they’ve been dismantled, with many of their best players now gone.
