10 things on Toronto FC

Well. What can we say? This is probably the most-anticipated game across MLS that will be played on Sunday at Stade Saputo. The rivals from Toronto and Montreal face off for three points in the standings for the first time in a while, after two home-and-away legendary series, first in the Eastern Conference final, then in the Canadian Championship final. These…unfavourable results have scarred Montreal supporters and the Bleu-blanc-noir will be eager to avenge these losses, but mostly to keep that four-game winning sequence rolling. Here are 10 things on the enemy of the 401 Derby, the Canadian Classic, the Two Solitudes Derby… of the rivalry with 1,000 names.

Context
Unbeaten in eight, the Reds are the top dog in MLS at the moment. Bradley’s gang has a seven-point cushion atop the league’s general standings on New York City FC, whose coach Patrick Vieira has already conceded the Supporters’ Shield is out of reach – some mind games, surely. And if the Impact has filled the opponents’ goal in its recent games, TFC has followed suit with a 4-1 win over Portland Timbers, a 3-1 victory on Chicago Fire, and a 3-0 shutout of Philadelphia Union, on Wednesday. In fact, here can lie the key to Sunday’s matchup: the little recovery time for the Torontonians and Montreal’s physical advantage.
Current form (across all competitions)
W-W-W-D-W-D
Head coach
Greg Vanney (46-35-23 all-time as Toronto FC head coach and in MLS) became TFC head coach on August 31, 2014. He is also the club’s technical director. A professional player for 13 seasons in the United States and in France, Vanney then worked on youth development, most notably at Real Salt Lake and at Chivas USA, before joining TFC in December 2013. After taking on jobs as assistant general manager and TFC Academy director, he became the ninth head coach in club history, replacing Ryan Nelsen.
Current top scorer
Sebastian Giovinco (13)
Players to watch

1.Víctor Vázquez (#7) – The 30-year-old Spanish recruit, who arrived this winter from Cruz Azul, in Mexico, already registered 13 MLS assists. A danger on set pieces as well as on crosses, he also breaks defensive lines with his passes to the forwards.

2.Marky Delgado (#18) – The midfielder brings a bit of secondary scoring behind Toronto’s Designated Players, with two goals and an assist in his last three games.

3.Jozy Altidore (#17) – There is no need to introduce the big guy leading TFC’s line. The second top goal scorer in the Queen City this season, he is used to wreaking havoc against the Bleu-blanc-noir.

Team profile
In a similar fashion to last year, TFC looks to crowd the middle and to lean on a very potent attacking trio, comprised of Giovinco, Altidore, and Vázquez. The first one is there to run at the defense and dribble, winning free kicks for his many falls, the second works hard with his back to goal to win physical duels and allow his team to move up field, while being a damaging presence for the centre backs, and the third is like the oil in the engine, with dangerous crossing ability. Further behind, Michael Bradley dictates the tempo and the direction of Toronto’s attacks, often patiently, all the while stopping the opponent’s progress with tackles or interceptions. And if the defensive line is mostly solid, its Achilles heel is found between the lines, where space can be found to quickly combine, either in the middle or on the right.
In 2017 :

*Source for all data is Opta
Tactical formation
A very rare alteration to Vanney’s three-man defense has been made on Wednesday, the team coming back to a classic 4-4-2. Lineup against Philadelphia Union (August 23): Bono, Morrow, Mavinga, Moor, Hasler; Vázquez, Bradley, Osorio, Delgado; Giovinco, Altidore.
Most recent games against the Impact

Injuries, absences and call-ups (as of August 26)
D Nick Hagglund (knee)
M Benoit Cheyrou (calf)
Upcoming games
Toronto FC v San Jose Earthquakes (MLS, September 9)
LA Galaxy v Toronto FC (MLS, September 16)
Toronto FC v Montreal Impact (MLS, September 20)