Ryan Nelsen and Toronto FC will take to BMO field for the first time this season as they play host to the star studded LA Galaxy.
The game will serve as a second home opener for the Reds at their summer home, after playing host to Kansas City at the larger capacity Rogers Center in their inaugural home game of 2013.
Toronto’s struggles at home were well documented last season, winning a franchise low three games at BMO all season. Vacant, red seats were a site for sore eyes, as the early years of a packed and hostile BMO Field faded to memory. Head Coach Ryan Nelsen hopes the TFC faithful can find their old form and revert to the good ‘ole days when BMO was a very difficult place to play for visiting teams.
“It is one of our goals for this year, to make our home ground a horrible place for opposition teams to come to and such that no team can come in and expect an easy three points,” Nelsen told MLSSoccer.com. “We will do whatever it takes to defend our home patch and make our fans proud. That is one of our main goals.”
Neslen has instilled that same mentality in his players.
“We want people to hate coming here,” said Darren O’Dea after winning their home opener in week two. “When people come to our home to try and rob us, we plan to run them out the door.”
With the Kevin Payne-Ryan Nelsen era underway in Toronto, 25,991 were on hand to cheer on the club at the Rogers Center in their home opener. With a rejuvenated squad, the fans did not leave disappointed.
Fans will take to BMO Field on Saturday hoping to provide the club with a similar atmosphere to help lead them past yet another formidable opponent, the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The Reds took on Bruce Arena’s club three times in 2012, once in MLS league play and twice (in a two-legged tie) in the CONCACAF Champions League. Toronto advanced 4-3 on aggregate in the Champions League, however, lost 4-2 in league play at the Home Depot Center. Robbie Keane and Juninho each had two goals apiece for the Galaxy while Terry Dunfield and Luis Silva found the net for TFC.
Nelsen will likely field the same lineup as he has in each of the last two fixtures. The only change could be Luis Silva replacing either Hogan Ephraim or Reggie Lambe if he is fit enough to return to game action. Silva was a full participant in practice this week, though it is likely he will be eased back into game action over the next couple of weeks.
Toronto (1-2-0) is looking to get back to .500 with a win on Saturday, while Los Angeles (2-0-1) gets set for their first road test of the season.
It’s up to the fans to make it a hard start for the Galaxy.
Projected XI (4-4-2): Bednik; Eckersley, O’Dea, Califf, Morgan; Bostock, Dunfield, Hall, Ephraim; Lambe, Earnshaw
Projected Final Score: Toronto 2-2 Los Angeles
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