In the time since Real Salt Lake last played Toronto FC, the Canadian side has set an MLS all-time points record for a season, won three major trophies including MLS Cup, and clinched a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals.
This season, however, TFC has lost both of its matches without scoring a goal.
“A lot of it has to do with the Champions League,” RSL coach Mike Petke said. “They put a lot into that, which they should. It’s early in the season, they’re a quality team that [is] going to get wins. But I don’t care what their record is. They are a very good team.”
Toronto FC, which hosts Real Salt Lake on Friday, illustrates the challenges for MLS clubs who want to compete in the Champions League. While it has not scored in MLS play this season, TFC advanced to the Champions League semifinals by defeating Liga MX champions Tigres UANL in a two-leg quarterfinal, scoring four times.
“I’m pretty surprised,” RSL captain Kyle Beckerman said. “I’m sure they are too. … But we know it’s going to come out at some point, so hopefully we can make [their MLS slump] go one game longer.”
This is the second time already this season that RSL has faced a team balancing MLS and Champions League play. On March 17, RSL scored a 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls, who are also in the Champions League semifinals; it is the only loss for the Red Bulls this season in three matches, compared to Toronto’s slow start.
Toronto has changed its lineup and formation several times between the two competitions, although stars Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco have all appeared in both MLS matches.
“Giovinco, he can take a game that there’s nothing in and turn it around on its head,” Beckerman said, “and it’s 2-0 in two minutes or something like that. He’s just so dangerous, and just when you think you have him quieted throughout the game, he comes up and scores.”
The balancing act is one RSL is familiar with, having appeared in the Champions League three times itself. Two seasons ago, it lost in the quarterfinals to Tigres at home, then tied at Orlando City four days later to start the MLS season, starting league play six matches unbeaten before its first loss.
During RSL’s magical run to the Champions League final in 2011, its loss to Monterrey in the second leg of the final was followed by a loss in MLS play three days later.
Toronto has Friday’s match to try and get back on track, but looming is the first leg of the two-legged semifinals in Champions League play against Club America next Tuesday. So the question is whether any TFC stars will get a rest against RSL.
“We can’t predict what they’re going to come out with,” RSL winger/defender Brooks Lennon said Tuesday. “We’ve been looking at a couple formations that they might play, five in the back or four in the back, so we’ve been preparing for everything. And I think we’re ready.”
REAL SALT LAKE AT TORONTO FC<br>At BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario<br>Kickoff » 6 p.m.<br>TV » KMYU <br>Radio » 700 AM<br>Records » RSL 1-1-1, TOR 0-2-0<br>Last meeting » RSL and SKC tied 0-0 (March 4, at Rio Tinto Stadium) <br>About TFC » Toronto has played four CONCACAF Champions League and two MLS matches. … Eight Toronto FC players were called away on international duty last week. … Forward Tosaint Ricketts is coming off an international appearance in which he scored the winning goal for Canada in a 1-0 win over New Zealand. … Defender Justin Morrow is questionable for the match with a calf strain. … Defender Chris Mavinga (abdominal discomfort) is listed as probable.<br>About RSL » RSL players Joao Plata and Luis Silva began their MLS careers in Toronto, with Plata scoring 10 goals in 52 matches across all competitions, and Silva scoring five goals in 44 games. … Albert Rusnák returned to RSL on Tuesday after winning the King’s Cup with the Slovakia national team over the international break. … Aaron Herrera (groin), Marcelo Silva (hamstring), Joao Plata (quad) and Luis Silva (hamstring) will likely be available for the match after missing last match to injury. … Shawn Barry and Luke Mulholland are listed as questionable due to hamstring injuries.