Atlanta United vs. Toronto FC Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta October 30 – 8 PM ET FS1 AJC.com United home page here. MLSsoccer.com preview here ATLUTD.com preview here. Toronto preview here. First, just to confirm Miles is out for Wednesday but Parkhurst has a glimmer of hope. Jozy Altidore also remains listed as questionable for Toronto. Oh, by the way, winner advances to the MLS Cup final. Toronto comes in as the #4 side in the east but arguably the most in-form side in the conference due a 12-match unbeaten run in MLS play. They've rediscovered the balanced play that lay behind their own MLS Cup winning season in 2017, largely in restoring the connections between their deep-seated and advanced wide players. (Almost a classic case of a team losing it's star player (Gio) and seeing everyone else step up as a result.) Toronto is a team that relies and quick ball-movement and a tight, conservative defense that minimizes mistakes. While they might press Atlanta because of the Stripes' injury woes the Reds will normally be reserved enough so that they don't lose position themselves and always have outlets at the ready for when they retain possession. This is where newcomer and recent MLS Best XI player Alejandro Pozuelo has greatly contributed, byt given Toronto an excellent ball-handler who can play in front of Bradley and give the offense a dynamic option. It's also why it's often more effective when they have Altidore available because he becomes a more true target man once again. Having said that there was some fortune in their two playoff games that belies their strengths and weaknesses. They failed to put away RBNY until extra time, showing difficulty in keeping the ball in their opponent's defensive third and looking susceptible to through balls. Against CFG:NY their two goals came by way of a penalty and a major defensive lapse. (Paying attention, LGP?) Toronto could have easily lost either match and no one would've felt it was undeserved, so for all their potency they haven't exactly evoked a sense of world-beaters. Mind you the same could be said for Atlanta, which eked past the revolution and then proved more convincing against Philly. Stylistically the Revs are more like the Reds in how they try to play but the talent levels are decidedly different. What Atlanta will need to recall is the ability to switch marks for possible counter attacks and not let their wide attacking players get caught out, because Toronto will look to use the width of the field to make space for Pozuelo and Co. Unlike the Revs, however, the Toronto defense might show more susceptibility to width, as well. Their defense has played well but against a more lackluster RB:NY side (Sorry, RWP) and a CFG:NY team that arguably played their worst match in weeks, if not all season. Neither centerback should prove a difficulty for Josef and players like Pity, Barco, Nagbe, and Meram should find opportunities to pass through Reds defenders and invite clean shot attempts. Josef wants to make the finals, and the home crowd helps make the difference. 2-1
I don't have a score to offer- taking whatever win I can get here. Because of how they won their last two, I don't see TFC as a scoring threat that we can be when Josef finishes his chances (DCU quit after Hamid's poor play in aet, IMO). Vamos!
Yeah, me and my crew had to sit in the nosebleeds in the endzone for MLS Cup last year. Didn't bother me a bit. This year, I pounced a little quicker and got better seats (still in the 3rd deck, but not in the way back in the endzone). Toronto is going to be a tough out. I'm assuming we get Altidore for a good portion of the game, and I think we have the strength and height to deal with him. But bodying up on Altidore and then switching to finesse and tactical acumen for Pozuelo is going to be difficult. How in the world could Parkhurst possibly be back from that injury so soon? Is that just a tactic to make Toronto plan for him? And then *wham* Miles Robinson is in the starting lineup? Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have the captain back on the pitch for a final, but that would absolutely amaze me.
Lest I'm mistaken the nature of Parky's injury wouldn't prohibit his play, it's merely gauging the severity of the pain and the potential for him to reinjure his self during the match. By contrast if Miles has any strain on the hammy he shouldn't be running.
I wish I could say I was confident, but in truth, I’m worried our shape is not solid. but I said the same against Philly, and loved the fact I was proven wrong. I hope to be proven wrong again.
FWIW, yellow cards accumulation are reset in the Conference Final, so unless someone picks up a red tonight everyone should be available for the Cup Final if we win.
I think we're going to be okay v. TFC. I felt like we could beat Philly or NYC in the Benz, and I feel the same v. TFC. The sickening feeling I got when the Galaxy didn't get it done at LAFC is now gone. I just hope we can handle this from here out. We've gone from having two CBs out with Yankee Stadium in the future, followed by the Banc... to a couple of clean sheets and home field the rest of the way. Let's get this win tonight and then prep for Seattle, who is truly no joke. Jozy is too damn big to be playing this game... hoping LGP can get in his head instead of the other way around. If we win, we've got almost a week and a half to prep for Seattle. I don't think that'll be an issue. Maybe Parky can play, but he'll probably need a shot or something. Been years since I pulled anything, so maybe I'm wrong. Don't look for Miles at all. I'll be surprised if he's ready for the Final. Torn hams are no joke, even for a youngster.
Parkhurst didn't pull a muscle, he dislocated his shoulder. He returned to training this week and the comments out of Marietta were promising. I'd still be surprised to see him in the starting lineup tonight. Miles Robinson won't be back again this year.
Yeah, that's what I was referencing. So long as our players keep their heads about them. *states at LGP*
Parky in the starting XI tonight. Pity as well. More importantly, 42k paper crowns as the free swag for everyone tonight! Clearly s*** is about to get real.