Toronto FC set the pace in the Eastern Conference during the first half of the season thanks to some very strong play at the back and in attack. Can the Reds sustain their strong start in the second half? Read on below as we break down the Eastern Conference contenders for the second half of the 2017 MLS season.
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2017 MLS Mid-Season Eastern Conference Preview
1. Toronto FC (43 pts, 12-3-7)
| Toronto FC | Stats |
|---|---|
| Home Record | 8-0-3 |
| Away Record | 4-3-4 |
| Goal Differential | +19 (1st) |
| Goals For | 41 (1st) |
| Goals Against | 22 (1st) |
There’s just no stopping Toronto FC right now. After destroying New York City FC by four goals on Sunday, the Reds opened up a five-point lead atop the Eastern Conference standings. So what makes Toronto FC tick? Head coach Greg Vanney has assembled a perfectly balanced squad that’s tipped to go all the way this season.
Not only have the Reds scored the most goals in the entire MLS at the halfway point (41 goals), they also possess the stingiest defense in the Eastern Conference (22 goals allowed). Giovinco and Jozy Altidore have flourished in their strike partnership, already combining for 20 goals and 10 assists this season. The Reds will need more of the same from this talented duo if they are to cement top spot in the East.
2. Chicago Fire (38 pts, 11-5-5)
| Chicago Fire | Stats |
|---|---|
| Home Record | 9-0-1 |
| Away Record | 2-5-4 |
| Goal Differential | +16 (2nd) |
| Goals For | 40 (3rd) |
| Goals Against | 24 (2nd) |
The biggest reason Chicago has been able to keep pace atop the Eastern Conference standings is because the Fire have played extremely well on their home field this campaign. They remain unbeaten at Toyota Field, picking up 28 points out of a possible 30 this season. Providing the impetus for Chicago’s excellent first half is striker Nemanja Nikolic. The Hungarian forward sits atop the MLS scoring charts with 16 goals. The Fire will need more offensive production from Nikolic in the second half if they are to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
3. New York City FC (37 pts, 11-7-4)
| New York City FC | Stats |
|---|---|
| Home Record | 7-1-3 |
| Away Record | 4-6-1 |
| Goal Differential | +9 (4th) |
| Goals For | 40 (3rd) |
| Goals Against | 31 (6th) |
Where would New York City FC be without David Villa? The 35-year-old veteran has been a godsend for the Pigeons, leading the team in scoring with 14 goals this season. Villa is also one of the team’s chief creators, dishing out seven assists this campaign. He’s a vital part of a New York City attack that’s already scored a whopping 40 goals this season, third-best in the entire MLS.
NYCFC will need Villa, as well as stars Jack Harrison and Rodney Wallace, to play at a high level offensively in the second half because the Pigeons are bound to concede their share of goals. They allowed 31 goals in the first half, the worst defensive record of any current playoff contender.
4. New York Red Bulls (35 pts, 11-8-2)
| New York Red Bulls | Stats |
|---|---|
| Home Record | 7-2-2 |
| Away Record | 4-6-0 |
| Goal Differential | +6 (5th) |
| Goals For | 32 (7th) |
| Goals Against | 26 (3rd) |
Defense isn’t a problem, though, for the other New York club, the Red Bulls. They have conceded just 26 goals this season, third-fewest in the entire Eastern Conference. The Red Bulls even bolstered their backline with the loan signing of center back Fidel Escobar last week. That’s a position of serious need for the Red Bulls given their lack of depth since losing Gideon Baah for the season and Aurelien Collin’s continuing struggles with an abdominal injury. Escobar was one of the standout players for Panama in the 2017 Gold Cup and manager Jesse Marsch is confident he can recreate that excellent form for the Red Bulls alongside international teammate Michael Amir Murillo.
5. Atlanta United FC (34 pts, 10-7-4)
| Atlanta United FC | Stats |
|---|---|
| Home Record | 6-2-1 |
| Away Record | 4-5-3 |
| Goal Differential | +13 (3rd) |
| Goals For | 41 (1st) |
| Goals Against | 28 (5th) |
It’s quite surprising to see Atlanta United sitting just fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. They have scored a whopping 41 goals this season, tops in the entire MLS. Their goal difference of +13 is even third-best in the entire majors. So what’s dragging the Five Stripes down? The problem for Atlanta United is that they’re drawing plenty of winnable ballgames. They have already recorded seven stalemates this season, exactly a third of their total matches this campaign.
Composure down the stretch is necessary for United if they are to reach the playoffs in their debut season. Expected to lead the way for Atlanta are midfielders Hector Villalba and Miguel Almiron and Venezuelan striker Josef Martinez. They have combined for 27 of Atlanta’s 41 goals this season.
6. Columbus Crew SC (32 pts, 10-11-2)
| Columbus Crew SC | Stats |
|---|---|
| Home Record | 7-3-1 |
| Away Record | 3-8-1 |
| Goal Differential | -4 (8th) |
| Goals For | 33 (6th) |
| Goals Against | 37 (10th) |
To say the Crew had a rocky first half would be a severe understatement. They conceded a whopping 37 goals, trailing only bottom side D.C. United for the most goals allowed in the Eastern Conference. They were also incredibly wretched on the road, with a dismal 3-8-1 record. Despite their obvious struggles, the Crew are still very much in the playoff picture. This is still basically the team that went all the way to the MLS Cup Finals just two years ago, so the talent and ability are definitely there. At this point of the season, there’s nowhere to go but up for the Crew in the second half.
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