Toronto FC vs. New York Red Bulls
Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs – Eastern Conference Semfinals
Red Bull Arena – Harrison, N.J.
7 pm ET – Oct. 30, 2017
WATCH: FS1 (USA) | TSN4, TVAS (CAN)
The New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC are two of MLS's most hard-luck clubs, with neither having won an MLS Cup in a combined 31 years of existence.
Of course, Toronto came oh-so-close last year, and after setting the all-time MLS record for points in a single-season, this squad has already written themselves into the league's history books. With Sebastian Giovinco, Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Victor Vazquez leading they way, they'll be an incredibly tough out for any team this postseason.
The Red Bulls aren't some pushover, however. Though they finished as the Eastern Conference's No. 6 seed, New York are 3W-0L-1D in their last four matches, including a dominant 4-0 rout at the Chicago Fire in the Knockout Round on Wednesday night.
RBNY's high-press is clicking, Tyler Adams is quickly becoming a star and Sacha Kljestan and Bradley Wright-Phillips are in fine form. Perhaps most importantly, Daniel Royer is fully fit. The Austrian, who recorded a goal and an assist in New York's 4-2 loss at Toronto on Sept. 30, has been dynamite for New York all season, recording 13 goals and three assists in 24 regular season and playoff starts. If the Red Bulls spring the upset against Toronto, he'll no doubt play a big role.
- MLS Cup or bust: Toronto FC embrace pressure as playoff run begins
- Marsch: RBNY play physical, but not dirty
- TFC: Red Bulls will "throw their all" into first leg
- #RIPMullet: RBNY's Perrinelle, Long go for a trim
- Altidore, Bradley ready for hostile NY homecoming
- TFC "very impressed" with RBNY youngster Tyler Adams
- Red Bulls have nothing to lose in playoff run
New York Red Bulls
- Suspended: None
- Suspended next yellow card: FW Gonzalo Veron
- International Duty: None
- Injury Report: OUT – DF Gideon Baah (broken leg, out for season), MF Mike Grella (knee surgery, out for season), DF Aurelien Collin (plantar fasciitis)
Projected Starting Lineup
(3-5-2, left to right)
GK: Luis Robles – Damien Perrinelle, Aaron Long, Michael Murillo – Connor Lade, Daniel Royer, Felipe, Sean Davis, Tyler Adams – Sacha Kljestan, Bradley Wright-Phillips
Toronto FC
- Suspended: None
- International Duty: None
- Injury Report: None
Projected Starting Lineup
(3-5-2, left to right)
GK: Alex Bono – Chris Mavinga, Drew Moor, Eriq Zavaleta – Justin Morrow, Victor Vazquez, Michael Bradley, Marky Delgado, Nicolas Hasler – Jozy Altidore, Sebastian Giovinco
All-Time Series
- Overall (regular season): Red Bulls 13 wins (54 goals) … Toronto FC 8 wins (33 goals) … Ties 7
- At NY (regular season): Red Bulls 5 wins (20 goals) … Toronto FC 3 wins (18 goals) … Ties 6
Referees
Referee: Drew Fischer
Assistant Referees: Phil Briere, Peter Manikowski
4th Official: Sorin Stoica
Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Allen Chapman
