New York City FC vs. Toronto FC | 2016 East Semifinal Match Preview

NEW YORK CITY FC vs. TORONTO FC
2016 Eastern Conference Semifinal – Leg 2
Yankee Stadium | Bronx, New York
Sunday, Nov. 6
6:30 pm ET (FS1, FOX Deportes, FOXSportsGO in the US | TSN4/5 in Canada)

The Lowdown:

New York City FC are in need of at least a two-goal win after conceding twice in the final six minutes in the first leg of the series. The good news for NYCFC is that they will be playing at home in front of their boisterous supporters at Yankee Stadium, but the bad news is that surrendering one goal will make the challenge of pulling off a comeback that much tougher.

With New York City needing to search for goals, Toronto FC should have more space to to exploit on the counter. Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore are surely licking their chops at the thought of that, but Toronto's defense will need to be sturdy in order to prevent a desperate David Villa and Co. from rallying.

Must-Read:

• TOR 2, NYC 0: Reds break through late
• NYCFC keeping faith that they can turn series around
• Toronto FC: "Nothing means anything until we finish this"
• New York City coach Patrick Vieira explains lineup changes in Toronto
• MLS Now: Job still isn't done for Toronto FC
• Analyst's Den: 85 minutes not enough as Patrick Vieira's gamble backfires for NYCFC
• Toronto proud to keep cool through on-field sparks with New York City
• Ineffective David Villa surprisingly subbed off in NYCFC's loss
• Toronto FC's BMO Field experiences its greatest night
• NYCFC midfielder Andrea Pirlo misses first leg vs. TFC

New York City FC Snapshot:

• 2016 Regular Season Finish: East No. 2 seed (15-10-9 record, 54 pts / 7-7-3 away record)
• Current Form: W-W-L-W-L
• Strengths: Star players with big-game experience who can either score or set up goals in bunches.
• Weaknesses: Their defense is not the strongest and they rely too much on David Villa, leaving him to create the bulk of both his and teammates' chances far too often.
• Injuries/Suspensions: OUT: D – Connor Brandt (hip), D – Shannon Gomez (ACL); QUESTIONABLE: M – Andrea Pirlo (calf)
• Player to Watch: David Villa. New York City FC are in need of goals, and the person who will likely have to provide them is the Spanish striker. Even if he doesn't find the back of the net himself, he will still have to do a lot of the creating for New York City if they wish to make a comeback.
• Probable Starting XI: Eirik Johansen; Maxime Chanot, Andoni Iraola, Frederic Brillant; Ronald Matarrita, Federico Bravo, Frank Lampard, RJ Allen; Steven Mendoza, David Villa, Jack Harrison

Toronto FC Snapshot:

• 2016 Regular Season Finish: East No. 3 seed (14-9-11 record, 53 pts / 8-3-6 home record)
• Current Form: L-D-W-W-W
• Strengths: The front line consists of Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore, which is a deadly and productive forward tandem that just might be the best in all of MLS.
• Weaknesses: If Giovinco has a bad day at the office, who can step up and pick up the playmaking slack?
• Injuries/Susepnsion: QUESTIONABLE: D - Ashtone Morgan (stress fracture in foot)
• Player to Watch: Sebastian Giovinco. The crafty and skillful Italian should have plenty of space to exploit and room to operate with New York City needing to push forward, and how effective he is in the final third can make or break Toronto's day.
• Probable Starting XI: Clint Irwin; Nick Hagglund, Drew Moor, Eriq Zavaleta; Justin Morrow, Jonathan Osorio, Michael Bradley, Armando Cooper, Steven Beitashour; Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore

Match Essentials

Referee: Kevin Stott
Assistant Referees: Jason White (AR1), Craig Lowry (AR2)
4th Official: Ted Unkel

Toronto vs. New York City Head-to-Head
All-Time (6 Meetings)
New York City 2 wins, 11 goals • Toronto 1 win, 9 goals • Ties 3
All-Time Playoff Meetings (1 Meeting):
New York City 0 wins, 0 goals • Toronto 1 win, 2 goals 
All-Time in New York City (2 Meetings):
New York City 1 win, 6 goals • Toronto 0 wins, 4 goals • Ties 1
2016 Meetings (3 Meetings): 
NYC 2, TOR 2 (Mar. 13); TOR 1, NYC 1 (May 18); TOR 2, NYC 0 (Oct. 30)