TORONTO – And, breathe.
Just four days after a historic win over the Philadelphia Union in their first-ever home playoff game, Toronto FC's 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs run resumes Sunday when New York City FC come to BMO Field to initiate a pulsating Eastern Conference Semifinal series.
The two sides met twice before June, a pair of draws, but in the five matches all-time 18 goals have been scored – including that unforgettable 4-4 draw at Yankee Stadium last July. Both sides are stacked with potent offensive weapons and full complements of Designated Players.
NYCFC pipped TFC to the second spot by dint of a Decision Day win over Columbus, finishing a single point ahead, but none of that will matter come Sunday.
At home, and with emotion of Wednesday's win still coursing through their veins, the opening leg is a good time to lay down a marker on the series.
“The experience of having played in this game, a one-off, a do-or-die game... it's invaluable,” said midfielder Michael Bradley following the win over Philadelphia. “New York City doesn't have that. If we can use the momentum, build on the energy inside the stadium... there's not going to be any team that wants to play us.”
Momentum is a valuable ally, but Toronto know that New York City pose a distinct challenge.
“New York is a different team than Philadelphia. They're very tactical, they've got a lot of players who are seasoned veterans,” said TFC manager Greg Vanney. “I'm not sure if their mentality is to come flying around the field; they're going to be very tactically savvy, aware. It's going to be a different game, but we have to bring the same type of intensity and commitment that we did tonight.”
Not only is the opponent different, but so too is the nature of the challenge.
“The fact that it's two legs changes it quite a bit,” remarked Bradley. “These one-offs are something else, in terms of pressure, tension, everything on the line. When you know you have two games, there's a different approach: knowing how to manage different parts over 180 minutes; that you're getting one game at home, one away; what away goals can do.”
“It's a different game completely because of the way it's situated – home and home,” agreed midfielder Sebastian Giovinco. “You never know what is going to happen in these situations. We know that they're a big team. We'll have to wait to see who wins, but we know ahead of time that it's going to be difficult.”
The series will also see Giovinco take on his countryman Andrea Pirlo, in an epic clash between Italian maestros, each looking to impose their will on the outcome.
Pictures circulated of the two enjoying a friendly breakfast in preseason, but this next encounter is unlikely to be so refined.
“No, I didn't think of it at the time,” said Giovinco when asked if any thoughts of a playoff rendezvous were then on his mind. “I just wanted to get as far as possible, it just happened that we met. We got to this point, now anything is possible. It will be a beautiful game, hard but beautiful.”
