Toronto FC ended up just missing in terms of getting a bye in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Reds though, dismissed Philadelphia quickly in the first round to setup the seemingly inevitable matchup against New York City FC. This is the first postseason series for NYCFC, and this match is going to be a tremendous challenge for both of these clubs.
Don't miss the MLS playoff action from BMO Field on Sunday, October 30, 2016.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Toronto FC
New York City FC
Odds Analysis
There's no doubt that this is going to be a really decisive match with this home-and-home series. City will surely be favored when the scene shifts back to the Big Apple, but for the time being here in the Great White North, the entire province of Ontario cheering for the Reds, the hosts will end up being favored.
That said, something to consider is the fact that New York City FC has seven road wins this year already, more than any other team in the MLS, so if there's a team that we should have any confidence in away from home, this is it.
Key Injuries
There's a really good chance that TFC could be fully ready to go by Sunday. Will Johnson and Ashtone Morgan were the only two major question marks all week long, and both have spoken a good game about being available for the start of this series.
New York City FC is set to welcome back Frank Lampard for the matches that matter here in the second season, and this is a welcome sign for a team that is going to need some vets for sure to step up and help the inexperienced players in this do-or-die atmosphere.
Recent Form
Toronto has won a couple matches in a row, netting six goals in the process. The team has scored in four straight and has picked up at least one point in all but one match since August 27. The 3-1 opening round victory against the Union was really a walk in the park considering the fact that it was a playoff game.
NYCFC was all over the place at the end of the year. The team picked up an impressive 4-1 victory over Columbus on Decision Day, but the match before, it was really beaten down soundly by D.C. United on the road. The general consensus is that New York City FC has been in fantastic form with just the occasional hiccups, though. Three wins in four matches with the one blip against D.C. United on the road is great, and even before that, a 2-2 draw against FC Dallas wasn't the end of the world considering the fact that the Hoops won the Supporters' Shield.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Playing safe isn't in the DNA of NYCFC. This team allowed 57 goals this season, more than any of the other teams in the playoffs, and it was still just three points shy of winning the regular season conference title. This team was built to play aggressively, and we fear that it's going to end up being tight in this one, and that might end up being its demise.
With as well as the Reds have been playing, we aren't going to go against them. Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco were all fabulous against the Union, and if they're just as good in this one, they could end up building a relatively strong lead heading back to the Big Apple. But here's the teaser: We're not sure that even two or three goals is going to get the job done here for TFC.
MLS Odds: Toronto FC 3, New York City FC 1
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