Patrick Vieira is relishing the opportunity to face off against the leaders of the East.
NYCFC take on the two teams ahead of them in their next two games in what could be a Regular Season defining three days.
Toronto are up first on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium and Vieira believes that discipline and focus will be key if his team are going to send out a message to the rest of the league.
Vieira told NYCFC.com: “I think it’s a really exciting challenge for us.
“We’re playing against the two teams that are at the top of the league. It is important for us to get concentrated and focused on the first game on Wednesday because that is going to be a tough and difficult one. It is a big challenge ahead of us.
“I think it will take a lot of discipline and desire. We have to compete, we have to play well. I think if you want to win these type of games, you have to be at your best. We had a few weeks to prepare ourselves, and we should be okay.”
Bruce Arena’s amendments to the USMNT squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup knockout stages have, on paper, strengthened NYCFC and weakened Toronto.
Sean Johnson returns following his participation in the group stages, while Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley have been called up and therefore won’t play in the Bronx.
However, Vieira feels that Toronto have strength in depth and will pose a threat to an NYCFC team who are looking to move within two points of the Canadian side.
“When you look at their roster, when you look at the players they have, it’s going to be a big challenge for us because they’ve been losing players previously and they always manage to compete and win games,” Patrick said.
“So even without these two players [Bradley and Altidore], it’s going to be tough for us, it’s going to be really difficult, because when you’re losing something in one part of the game, you’re going to win it in another part of the game.”
Toronto arrive in New York City with a 4-3-3 record through ten road games and with the incentive to potentially lead the East by close of play.
Vieira added: “We have to be ready mentally, we have to be ready physically, because that game is going to be difficult. Tactically, we have to spend a lot of time working on those games, and for me, the details will be in the mental approach to the game.”
