Toronto FC looking for spark with playoff spot in sight during crucial stretch
Despite getting off to a tough start, Toronto FC still has a chance to make the playoffs but they will have to put in a strong final push for it.
It has been a challenging season for Toronto FC but despite that, they are still in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
This will now be a crucial stretch for TFC who recently added French winger Nicolas Benezet from Guingamp who were recently relegated from Ligue 1. According to Steve Buffrey of the Toronto Sun, Benezet brings positional versatility, strong passing, crossing and ball control but isn’t the biggest player listed at five-foot-seven, 143 pounds.
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Toronto will play their next seven matches against Eastern Conference opponents and a crucial part of their success will come from the play of their big three of Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, and Alejandro Pozuelo.
"“Things are getting real tight and every point is vital,” said Bradley after their win over FC Cincinnati."
They also have the Canadian Championship to deal with as they will go up against the Ottawa Fury at TD Place on Aug. 7. That game will be more about the depth players showing what they can do considering the team is going to want to rest their starters for MLS action.
This is also a crucial point of the season for Greg Vanney considering he has been under fire for lineup decisions against the Houston Dynamo. All that can be forgiven with a nice run of games where they put themselves in a better position heading into the playoffs.
Obviously, it has been a frustrating time for TFC fans after seeing superstar Sebastian Giovinco transferred to Saudi club Al-Hilal. It doesn’t help that the Italian striker was in town back in May opening up the possibility of a potential return but don’t expect anything to come until potentially next season if he and the team can find common ground.
Considering the Atomic Ant wasn’t thrilled with TFC’s final contract offer, he will want to come back as a designated player which doesn’t fit the team’s current situation unless they moved one of their big three.
It will now be up to Vanney to get the most out of this roster because if he can’t then TFC could find themselves missing the playoffs for a second-straight season and maybe cost him his job.
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What do you think about TFC’s current situation? Do you think they can make the playoffs? Would Greg Vanney’s job be on the line if they don’t? Let us know in the comments below.