PURCHASE, N.Y. – Patrick Vieira knows mathematically what it will take for New York City FC to stay alive in their Eastern Conference Semifinal series against Toronto FC after a 2-0 loss in the opening leg at BMO Field last Sunday.
The reality of keeping a clean sheet against high-flying TFC, though, is another thing altogether.
“When you play against a team like that it will be really difficult for us not to concede,” Vieira said. “So we have to have a different approach, yes, because we are two-nil down. It will be important for us to create chances, to score goals, not to concede will be a difficult task. But we will be well prepared and give ourselves the best chance to succeed. We’re going to prepare the game well and we’re going to give everything.”
NYCFC may need an extremely high-scoring affair in Sunday's second leg in order to advance (6:30 pm ET; FS1, FOX Deportes in the US, TSN4/5 in Canada). A 5-2 scoreline might be more likely than a repeat of 2-0.
New York have a bit of history on their side. All three of their all-time meetings against Toronto in the Bronx have been high-powered matches, with NYCFC scoring eight times to Toronto’s six. Eight total goals came in one game alone, a wild 4-4 draw last July that saw David Villa net a brace and Sebastian Giovinco record a hat trick.
No team scored more goals during the regular season than NYCFC (62), but they also conceded the fourth most in the league (57). Meanwhile, Toronto FC was tied for the second fewest amount of goals against, allowing just 39.
Still, NYCFC forward Khiry Shelton believes he noticed a few things about TFC’s backline he could exploit.
“I think their back three are solid, some very good players,” Shelton said. “I saw some stuff when I got on the pitch I feel I can help hurt them in a way. It’s just about going back, looking at film and breaking them down.”
NYCFC have belief that they can erase their opening leg deficit in part because Yankee Stadium has become a fortress of late. They are 7-0-1 in their last eight games in the Bronx, outscoring the opposition 24-9 in that stretch, including 8-2 in back-to-back wins over Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew SC to end the regular season.
“I don’t think we have to panic,” midfielder Frank Lampard said. “We’re all frustrated after the game, but once the dust settles I think you realize we’re very capable of winning by two goals. Obviously the complication of away goals means we have to try and be as secure as we can be, but we’ll play on the front foot, which is what we’ve done at home all year anyway.”
That starts with a better performance in the midfield, which was dominated by TFC captain Michael Bradley in the first leg.
“Bradley is their leader, their heartbeat, but you play against players like that, he’s a strong boy, you have to stand up to him,” Lampard said. “If I get picked, that’s what I’ll try to do.”
