While we already have seen one MLS team win its group in the 2023 Leagues Cup thanks to a 4-0 shutout on Tuesday by Inter Miami and Lionel Messi over Atlanta United at DRV PNK Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, it’s crunch time for another side on Wednesday night. Another loss spells elimination in the Big Apple.
The eight-ball will come into play on Wednesday night. Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ will be the host venue for a crucial battle for survival in the Leagues Cup.
While NYCFC’s primary match grounds of Yankee Stadium will be in use for the old ballgame, the Red Bulls’ home stadium serves as the setting for an all-MLS affair in the tournament between NYCFC and Toronto FC.
Live coverage of the match begins with a 30-minute studio show at 6:30 pm ET/ 3:30 pm PT on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass. Kickoff time is set for just past 7 pm ET/ 4 pm PT on the service.
The scenario is coldly simple: New York City is in a must-win scenario on Wednesday night. A defeat spells a hiatus until late August when the regular season resumes.
Heading into the second and last match of group play in the Leagues Cup, NYCFC is on a poor run of form. Dating back to June 3, the club has posted a record of 1-8-1 in its last 10 matches.
Last Sunday night, they sustained a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Liga MX side Atlas at Citi Field. A seventh-minute tally from midfielder Aldo Rocha accounted for the only scoring in the game.
NYCFC manager Nick Cushing knows what his side’s up against. He used his Tuesday media availability to outline his gameplan for Wednesday’s match.
“I think we approach this game with the same level of performance based on our ability to apply our ideas and dominate the ball, control the opponent, and minimize the opponent’s goal chances,” Cushing began. “We have to be better on set play.”
If NYCFC is to pick up a vital win, they’ll need someone to provide the spark.
Statistically speaking, NYCFC’s leading goal scorer this season has been midfielder Gabriel Pereira. He’s scored six goals for the team in 2023, but he recently left MLS to join Al-Rayyan SC in Qatar.
Thus, the question of “Who fills the void?” comes into play. Thankfully, they don’t have to look too far down the roster to find a serviceable successor.
Enter Santiago Rodriguez, a fellow midfielder who’s scored six goals himself across all competitions, including four in MLS this season. The 23-year-old designated player proved to be an instrumental cog in NYCFC’s success two years ago en route to MLS Cup, scoring five total goals.
He’s been known to be a key player for NYCFC. With Pereira gone, expect Nick Cushing to look to Rodriguez down the stretch, beginning on Wednesday.
In the other corner, just as NYCFC has struggled on the pitch, Toronto FC’s recent form is also a concern as the visiting team enters its first match in the Leagues Cup. Since June 3, the Canadian side has gone winless in its last eight matches (0-2-6). Most recently, they dropped a 1-0 result to St. Louis City SC on July 8.
To find the last time that Toronto collected the three points in the standings, you’d have to hop in the time machine and travel back to May 27. That evening, the Reds scored a 2-1 win against DC United. With both sides eager to shake their sluggish form, what’s going to give here?
Given that both clubs are on the wrong side of the tracks heading into Wednesday night’s game, it could very well turn out to be a defensive struggle. This entire season has been a struggle for Toronto FC.
Entering the Leagues Cup, the club is the second-worst side in MLS, allowing 33 goals over the first 24 matches of the regular season. Given NYCFC’s recent doldrums, Wednesday’s game is the team’s best chance at a win in some time.
All it will take is one miscue by New York City to give Toronto an opening to score. Will their fortunes change here?
This is an evenly-matched affair happening on Wednesday night. Expect a closely-knit 90 minutes of action.
Whichever team scores first is probably the team that walks away the victor.
Prediction: Toronto FC 1, NYCFC 0.
