Ahead of tonight's trip to BMO Field, SportingKC.com caught up with The Toronto Sun's Kurtis Larson to preview #TORvSKC. Live coverage of the match is available on FS1, FOX Sports GO, FOX Deportes, Sports Radio 810 WHB, and La Grande 1340 AM. Check out MatchDay Central and @SKCMatchDay for complete online coverage.
Coming off an MLS Cup appearance, what are the expectations for the club this season?
Among fans? To get back -- and maybe host -- another Eastern Conference final. Toronto FC ownership group has spent big money for success and, in turn, found out last year that most of that cash was well spent in terms of collecting results. You won't find many people that disagree with this statement: Toronto FC has one of the best lineups in the league. You expect to win every time out with the best roster in the league. That said, this is Major League Soccer. All you can do is get into the playoffs -- like Seattle did last year -- and see what happens. Sometimes strange things happen, like Seattle surviving last year's MLS Cup.
What changes Toronto FC make this offseason (new players, any formation/tactical changes)?
Very few, which says something about its stability. Successful teams in this league make tweaks in the offseason instead of wholesale changes. Look for Victor Vazquez to maybe start Friday night. The Spanish midfielder has extensive experience in Europe and was named the Player of the Year in the Belgian top flight a few years back. He's a technical player who wants to play fast in the final third. He looks to find Giovinco or Altidore within his first three touches. Fun fact: Vazquez spent his teens and early 20s in the Barcelona academy, playing alongside Messi, Iniesta and Pique.
How would you sum up their season heading into Friday’s match?
Positive. Three road games. Five points. You can't be disappointed in that. Toronto FC will see Friday night as a massive chance to stay unbeaten, especially when you consider Feilhaber's absence.
Are there any injury concerns for Friday? Do you expect many lineup changes from the 2-0 win at Vancouver?
The only injury, as of Thursday night, is left fullback Ashtone Morgan, who remains sidelined following offseason foot surgery. In terms of lineup changes, I expect to see goalkeeper Clint Irwin come back in and perhaps Victor Vazquez will start ahead of Armando Cooper, who is coming off World Cup qualifying with Panama.
Outside of the three designated players (Bradley, Altidore, Giovinco), who are some other players to watch?
I'll be watching to see how Victor Vazquez performs (assuming he starts) in front of home support. We haven't yet seen him in this kind of environment when you consider games at Salt Lake and Philadelphia were played in wind gusts of 40 mph. There's some talk as to whether Clint Irwin is and should be TFC's first-choice netminder. So the microscope will be on him as well.
What will be the keys to match?
You have to look at the Opara-Besler pairing matching up with Altidore-Giovinco. The Atomic Ant is healthy and resting, coming off injury, and Altidore remains in good form following the run he had during last year's playoffs. You get the sense in this one that Kansas City is going to be under loads of pressure before looking to counterattack. Kansas City's success Friday night could come down to how well its veteran defenders can stifle one of the best offensive pairings in the league. I have my doubts it's possible.
