Greg Vanney is making no bones about it – he thinks his Toronto FC team are favorites to win the Eastern Conference Championship against the rival Montreal Impact.
Speaking with local radio station Sportsnet 590 The FAN on Tuesday, Vanney said that although he thinks his group has occasionally been overlooked this year, he feels like they have the talent to bring a trophy to Toronto this season.
According to Vanney, much of that comes down to the club’s three Designated Players – Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley. All three had solid years with TFC, and each has been fantastic so far in the club’s 2016 playoff run.
“The two of them [Altidore and Giovinco] are an incredible duo,” Vanney said. “Our goal is to keep them both in a good spot. If we can [do that], the rest of our group, with Michael, who has been fantastic over the last several games as he has all year, the group will be flying. And if that’s the case, than I think deep down inside, my personal feeling is that we have to be the favorite to win.”
Toronto are 2-1-2 against Montreal this year in MLS regular season and Canadian Championship play. The two sides will kick off the Eastern Conference Championship series at Olympic Stadium on Nov. 22.
Listen to Vanney’s full interview here.
