Six points out from the Eastern Conference's playoff places with seven games to go, averaging just one point per game and facing several tricky matches to go, Toronto FC’s postseason hopes look pretty gloomy at present. But head coach Greg Vanney hasn’t abandoned all hope just yet.
Those hopes hinge on victory against the visiting LA Galaxy this weekend, however (Saturday, 7:30 pm ET | TSN1/4 – Full TV and streaming info).
“As long as there’s a way to get it done, it’s incumbent upon us to find that way. If we can build momentum this week and get some sort of rhythm over the next week, I don’t think there’s any reason why we can’t make the run that we need to make to get into the playoffs,” Vanney told Sportsnet this week.
“But that would be almost like saying nothing behind us happened, and we just need to be up and running, and be our best version of ourselves right now. That’s why I say this first week is important, not solely for the result, but also for us to build the momentum that we’re going to need to go on the run we need to go on and to change the impact of everything behind us.”
While he believes in his team’s ability to reel off a string of victories and sneak into the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs, Vanney is realistic as you’d expect from someone in his position. Next week’s visit to the league-leading New York Red Bulls is a daunting challenge, as is TFC’s season finale against Atlanta United.
He just wants the Reds to give themselves a chance on Decision Day, to stay alive until then.
“Our mentality is mostly about understanding what we have to do, which is, I wouldn’t say play flawless soccer, but we certainly can’t shoot ourselves in the foot. We have to play playoff-style soccer between now and the end of the season to give ourselves an opportunity,” he said.
“There’s a real challenge in front of us. I don’t know if I’d say there’s an optimism or anything [amongst the players]; it’s more a recognition and awareness of what has to get done for us to get there, and this is the position that we find ourselves in and have put ourselves in for a variety of reasons.”
“It’s about momentum. We have to win this Galaxy game. That sets us up to for the next game [at RBNY], which is always a tough place to play, to get a result there and then be able to run the rest of the table. If we can go in the Atlanta game with something to play for, then that’s it. That’s the formula, as I see it.”
Read more from Vanney's conversation with Sportsnet's John Molinaro here.
