Toronto FC prepare for Mission Impossible 2
By Paul Taylor
The previous bout of fixture congestion is arguably nothing compared to the one Toronto FC are about to contend with, starting on Saturday versus D.C. United.
Earlier this season, head coach Greg Vanney raved about the strength of the Toronto FC team. In fact, he went as far as to call them the deepest roster in MLS.
This claim was put to the test during May, when TFC played eight times, including a run of five games in 16 days. When it was all said and done, they had managed an impressive return of six wins and just one loss.
Making the sequence of results even more impressive, was the fact it was achieved with key players missing for certain parts of the month. When you can continue to win without the likes of Victor Vazquez, Drew Moor and especially Sebastian Gionvinco at key points, Vanney’s claim becomes even more justified.
However, the Reds’ roster depth is once again set to be tested to the limit, with an upcoming run of games which is arguably unprecedented in league history. In fact, it’s boarding on outrageous!
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Starting on Saturday, consider that, Toronto FC will play six games in just 19 days. This includes an insane 48-hour period which will see them play twice, on July 21 and 23.
As reported by the Toronto Sun‘s Kurt Larson, TFC did try to get the second game moved back a day. However, this was not possible, due to the Toronto Argonauts already being scheduled to play at BMO Field on the Saturday.
There’s no denying it’s going to be tough, but if Toronto FC can survive relatively unscathed, they will then get two weeks off to recover. For now though, Vanney and his team will just have to do their best to navigate a seemingly impossible set of circumstances.
Speaking to Larson and other members of the media earlier this week about the upcoming schedule, Vanney said:
"“I can’t recall it in MLS. We’ll try to put together our group in ways we feel like we can get the appropriate results.”"
On the plus side, at least TFC will have Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley all available versus D.C. United. In fact, Saturday’s game will represent the first time the trio have played together since May 3, when the Reds beat Orlando City SC 2-1.
What’s your take on the upcoming run of six games in just 19 days? How confident are you about TFC’s ability to come out at the other end with a favorable record? Share your thoughts in the comments section.