TORONTO – In a pair ofearly-season draws, New York City FC didn’t face a full-strength Toronto FC.
That changes Sunday, when NYCFC have to deal with the one-two punch of Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore up front in the opening leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at BMO Field (7 pm ET, FS1 | TSN1/4).
But NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira’s concerns run deeper than the attacking tandem he considers one of the best in MLS.
“I think it’s one of the best, no doubt about it. I think if they are in the playoffs, it's because their top players perform,” Vieira said. “Even if both of them miss a lot of games ... they are the strength of this team. But what I think is important, it’s more the team than them two. Of course, they express their talents, but the collective helps them express their talents.”
What can Giovinco and Altidore do without the ball? That’s where attempting to limit Michael Bradley’s touches comes in.
“We have to control Bradley because Bradley gives them a lot of services. [Jonathan] Osorio is a really fantastic player, so we have to look at him as well,” Vieira said. “It’s not just about the two up front, it’s about the collective game and this is how we have to stop them.”
That said, don’t expect NYCFC to change tactics and play numbers behind the ball in hopes of springing a quick counter.
“We’re not going to change our philosophy, we’re not going to change our principles, we’re going to be aggressive,” Vieira said. “We want to score goals, create chances because this is who we are.”
Vieira hasn’t seen Altidore in person this year, because the forward was sidelined with a hamstring injury in the early portion of the MLS season. Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney has compared Altidore to Didier Drogba, and Vieira doesn’t disagree.
“He’s really powerful, he’s strong, he can hold the ball, he can play with his back against the goal, he sits quite well for Osorio and the ones who come to give him the support,” Vieira said. “He’s really dangerous in the box, he scores goals, he played in Europe, he had some really good experience. He’s one of the best up front.”
