Away - 10/30 Toronto

[Ulrich]

Honestly, I'm in the camp of starting Saunders. Eirik is still too much of an unknown to put this amount of pressure on him in only his second meaningful start. We didn't become the best road team in the league with him, and I'd be really surprised to see him out there on Sunday. Depending on the results, maybe MAYBE give him a home start.

I see what you're saying, but in truth, NYCFC didn't become the best road team because of Saunders. The team was just adept at outscoring the opponent rather than simply scoring once and making it hold up.

 

[ktdNYCFC]

When quoting my post, please indicate that it was Vieira that said he was happy with Saunders' performance. I would never say such a thing.

Lol sorry, that didn't even occur to me. I fix.

 

[ktdNYCFC]

TMac may be one of them omitted if we continue to use the formation from Sunday. He doesn't fit the speedy winger role and he's shown the last few games he can't control the middle.

True, but in the context of the article it really seems that line was about the keeper.

 

[NYC is ???]

I like New York City's chances:
1) Great record v. Canadian teams
2) Best away record in MLS
3) Toronto played the midweek game. NYCFC got to rest.
4) NYC's DP's are players that are very experienced in big, big matches... and they're considered great because they performed in them. That composure can be massive for NYCFC.
5) It's usually considered an advantage to play the 2nd leg at home. And NYCFC have been almost invincible at home for the last 7 matches. A draw or win in Toronto, and TFC are in very big trouble.

Anything I'm forgetting?

EDIT: Oh, thanks for looking this up @HudsonRiverBlue

#NYCFC will face Toronto in the conference semifinals. In five total meetings to date, Toronto has never won. #WeWantTheCup

— Hudson River Blue (@HudsonRiverBlue) October 27, 2016

Meh, I think it will be tough.

1) I don't see how our record against Montreal and Vancouver give us an edge against Toronto. The only record that matters in this series is us and Toronto, which is like a toss up.

2) Again, I don't see how our road record against teams not named Toronto FC helps us in a matchup with a team named Toronto FC. So we got a few road wins early in the year -- how does that in any way give us an edge now?

3) Normally this is an advantage but sports are pretty random so anything can happen. Remember before the first game this year against RBNJ we all thought the team would come out flying and then NJ - who played midweek -- absolutely torched us?

4) They have performed in big matches overseas and have been key in a couple games down the stretch this season but I don't think they have lived up to their big game potential in MLS. I would say the biggest games we have played the last two years are the Hudson derbies and the games against LA. Six of those eight games we got wrecked dude, and the one LA win this year at YS was a squeaker.

5) This is true but only if we can get a draw or win Sunday. If we lose like 2-0 or 3-1 it puts a lot of pressure on us the following week. I don't know how long you have been following the league but in past years a lot of teams have dug holes for themselves going on the road first.

 

[Ulrich]

Meh, I think it will be tough.

1) I don't see how our record against Montreal and Vancouver give us an edge against Toronto. The only record that matters in this series is us and Toronto, which is like a toss up.

2) Again, I don't see how our road record against teams not named Toronto FC helps us in a matchup with a team named Toronto FC. So we got a few road wins early in the year -- how does that in any way give us an edge now?

3) Normally this is an advantage but sports are pretty random so anything can happen. Remember before the first game this year against RBNJ we all thought the team would come out flying and then NJ - who played midweek -- absolutely torched us?

4) They have performed in big matches overseas and have been key in a couple games down the stretch this season but I don't think they have lived up to their big game potential in MLS. I would say the biggest games we have played the last two years are the Hudson derbies and the games against LA. Six of those eight games we got wrecked dude, and the one LA win this year at YS was a squeaker.

5) This is true but only if we can get a draw or win Sunday. If we lose like 2-0 or 3-1 it puts a lot of pressure on us the following week. I don't know how long you have been following the league but in past years a lot of teams have dug holes for themselves going on the road first.

1. Our record vs Toronto leans heavily towards us - they've never beaten us.
2. Our road record is significant considering every other team in the league has a losing road record - we however have figured out how to overcome the stigma/consequences of travel, hostile environment, etc, or at least better than everybody else.
3. A midweek regular season game is not as stressful as a knock-out match. The Toronto players left more on the field last night than they would have during the regular season. Add the yellow cards they have to worry about doubling up on, and they are already at a disadvantage.
4. I don't think you can hold those games from last year as a datum line for this year's team - Kreis has them playing awful tactics the entire year. This year there have been many more massive games than you list. I'd add the wins vs Portland, Seattle, and Colorado in that category.
5. The return leg gives us a supportive environment if the game goes to extra time and/or penalties. It also may take place without 1 or more key Toronto players if they get another yellow card next game. I'd rather have everything on the line in front of a home crowd than away in a hostile environment.

 

[Gotham Gator]

I did really like the formation we played last week, but it was much more counter-attacking in nature. With Toronto on short rest, I think I'd like a more traditional 4-3-3 that presses the defense a bit. Especially considering this is a road game and the importance that away goals have. Let's score a lot here.

Additionally, though I'm not a big fan of him, maybe Mikey Lopez gets run out onto the field if we're up a goal or two in the second half. Let that asshole run at Bradley and drive him nuts, tire him out, and maybe get him into a second yellow.

I think we are a much better counter attacking team than a team that can methodically break teams down when possessing in the final 3rd. Look how quick we are to get shots off once we advance out of the back, even when not counterattacking. I'd be happy to bunker against such a strong offensive team and then fly out to grab some goals - especially on the road.

 

[Kjbert]

I think we are a much better counter attacking team than a team that can methodically break teams down when possessing in the final 3rd. Look how quick we are to get shots off once we advance out of the back, even when not counterattacking. I'd be happy to bunker against such a strong offensive team and then fly out to grab some goals - especially on the road.

Great post. It's funny that we are built for possession football. I almost think we play possession football because the other team can't score if they don't have the ball. It's as much a defensive philosophy as it is an offensive philosophy. Bend, but don't break. Our counter attack has been terrific this year.

 

[JayH]

Meh, I think it will be tough.

1) I don't see how our record against Montreal and Vancouver give us an edge against Toronto. The only record that matters in this series is us and Toronto, which is like a toss up.

2) Again, I don't see how our road record against teams not named Toronto FC helps us in a matchup with a team named Toronto FC. So we got a few road wins early in the year -- how does that in any way give us an edge now?

3) Normally this is an advantage but sports are pretty random so anything can happen. Remember before the first game this year against RBNJ we all thought the team would come out flying and then NJ - who played midweek -- absolutely torched us?

4) They have performed in big matches overseas and have been key in a couple games down the stretch this season but I don't think they have lived up to their big game potential in MLS. I would say the biggest games we have played the last two years are the Hudson derbies and the games against LA. Six of those eight games we got wrecked dude, and the one LA win this year at YS was a squeaker.

5) This is true but only if we can get a draw or win Sunday. If we lose like 2-0 or 3-1 it puts a lot of pressure on us the following week. I don't know how long you have been following the league but in past years a lot of teams have dug holes for themselves going on the road first.

I see that you are fired up for this one. Hopefully you won't be giving the pre-game speech.

 

[Viewfrom226]

I think we are a much better counter attacking team than a team that can methodically break teams down when possessing in the final 3rd. Look how quick we are to get shots off once we advance out of the back, even when not counterattacking. I'd be happy to bunker against such a strong offensive team and then fly out to grab some goals - especially on the road.

Great post. It's funny that we are built for possession football. I almost think we play possession football because the other team can't score if they don't have the ball. It's as much a defensive philosophy as it is an offensive philosophy. Bend, but don't break. Our counter attack has been terrific this year.

I think it is reflective of the fact that there are different styles of playing "possession football". We are a possession team at the back in the sense that we want to pass the ball around the back until there is an opportunity to get forward quickly. But, we are not team that actually wants to pass the ball around the attacking third to find space the way a team like, for example, New England does. Some of you may have seen the chart below from:
http://www.americansocceranalysis.com/home/2016/10/13/nycfc-in-2016-vieras-new-style

A lot of the stuff in the article will be relatively obvious to this group since we watch the team so closely, but to see it all reduced to a single graphic was, I thought, extremely elegant. We are an absolute outlier. The contrast with another team that has a reputation of "playing out of the back", Columbus, is also interesting because while they similarly play a lot of passes in their own half, they also are in the top half of the league in final third passes per shot while we are at the bottom.

 

[FootyLovin]

I think it is reflective of the fact that there are different styles of playing "possession football". We are a possession team at the back in the sense that we want to pass the ball around the back until there is an opportunity to get forward quickly. But, we are not team that actually wants to pass the ball around the attacking third to find space the way a team like, for example, New England does. Some of you may have seen the chart below from:
http://www.americansocceranalysis.com/home/2016/10/13/nycfc-in-2016-vieras-new-style

A lot of the stuff in the article will be relatively obvious to this group since we watch the team so closely, but to see it all reduced to a single graphic was, I thought, extremely elegant. We are an absolute outlier. The contrast with another team that has a reputation of "playing out of the back", Columbus, is also interesting because while they similarly play a lot of passes in their own half, they also are in the top half of the league in final third passes per shot while we are at the bottom.

View attachment 6066

I love charts in general, but that one is over the top awesome. Just a fascinating look at how distinct we are in approach.

Possess, possess, possess, strike!

 

[Viewfrom226]

Possess, possess, possess, strike!

Well, except when it is "possesses, possesses, possess, oh shit, Mena fired the ball to the other team, scramble to defend, hold breath...etc." Then again, as Man City and John Stones showed last weekend, happens to the best of them.

 

[Kjbert]

I think it is reflective of the fact that there are different styles of playing "possession football". We are a possession team at the back in the sense that we want to pass the ball around the back until there is an opportunity to get forward quickly. But, we are not team that actually wants to pass the ball around the attacking third to find space the way a team like, for example, New England does. Some of you may have seen the chart below from:
http://www.americansocceranalysis.com/home/2016/10/13/nycfc-in-2016-vieras-new-style

A lot of the stuff in the article will be relatively obvious to this group since we watch the team so closely, but to see it all reduced to a single graphic was, I thought, extremely elegant. We are an absolute outlier. The contrast with another team that has a reputation of "playing out of the back", Columbus, is also interesting because while they similarly play a lot of passes in their own half, they also are in the top half of the league in final third passes per shot while we are at the bottom.

View attachment 6066

Awesome post. It's like you play keep away and when the other team gets bored, we hit.

 

[NickA]

Dont worry guys...Patrick is gonna put a 'Shadow' 0n Pirlo and 'Hunter' on T-Mac.

 

[EganSoccerWords]

Dont worry guys...Patrick is gonna put a 'Shadow' 0n Pirlo and 'Hunter' on T-Mac.

And Halloween Ultimate Scream Pirlo gets a stat boost this weekend.

 

[Keith Putnam]

It's like you play keep away and when the other team gets bored, we hit.

Which comes a lot from the Dutch/Cruyff/Guardiola school of thought which is: use the ball to move the defending players around to where you want them to be, then pass incisively through the midfield and defense. Some of our players, obviously, are better at this than others.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Well, except when it is "possesses, possesses, possess, oh shit, Mena fired the ball to the other team, scramble to defend, hold breath...etc." Then again, as Man City and John Stones showed last weekend, happens to the best of them.

You just conflated like three things I'm not sure go together at all, namely Stones, Man City, and "the best".

You can choose two of the three with slight recalibration, but never all three.

 

[ktdNYCFC]

Which comes a lot from the Dutch/Cruyff/Guardiola school of thought which is: use the ball to move the defending players around to where you want them to be, then pass incisively through the midfield and defense. Some of our players, obviously, are better at this than others.

Which is why it's so downright scary when we play RB. Their style is the complete opposite of ours. They are practically off the chart above in final 3d passes/shot, and nothing in their half. When our style (possess, possess, possess, strike) meets their style (chase, chase, chase, force turnover), it's like we're playing right into their hands. We're just not safe in our 3d against a well executed high press. We basically either need to be perfect at it or adapt/change to come out on top. It's like the red wedding was already preordained.

Luckily (and to bring my digression back on topic), Toronto are right smack in the middle of the chart.

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

You are seriously smoking some sunshine it you think that chart shows something positive for us.

 

[ZYanksRule]

In case you missed it -- at the end of the FS1 broadcast of Seattle-SKC, John Strong said FS1 will air the Toront0-NYCFC game at 7pm on Sunday -- so our game-time for this week is known.

EDIT: Full schedule is on MLS's website:

MTL-NYRB at 3
LA-COL at 5
TOR-NYCFC at 7
SEA-DAL at 9:30

http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/

 

[LionNYC]

At the conclusion of the Seattle-SKC match, they announced that FS1 would have the first legs of the Toronto-NYCFC and Seattle-Dallas matches and that coverage starts at 7.

God damnit, we're not good when we play on Fox. Alexi hates us.

EDIT: Just confirmed on MLSsoccer.com. Would this rule out us playing the later Eastern game on November 6?