Harrison, NJ (Sports Network) - Toronto FC comes to Red Bull Arena on Saturday
with the fewest points in the league, but that doesn't mean that Red Bull New
York will be taking the match lightly.
The Canadian club has sat at the foot of the Eastern Conference for much of
the season and comes into Saturday's tilt with just 22 points from 30 games.
It would appear to be three easy points for New York, which sits five point
adrift of first place in the East, but Tim Cahill is wary of the potential
trap game against a big underdog.
"Toronto have got nothing to lose," Cahill told the club's official website.
"They're coming and they're going to throw the kitchen sink at us. They're
going to want to beat New York at home and that's an even bigger incentive."
Thierry Henry echoed Cahill's sentiment, saying that it's all on the Red Bulls
to pick up the three points.
"Everything is down to us, no disrespect to Toronto," Henry told reporters
Thursday. "But if we give them the space and the time to play well at the
beginning, they are going to punish us like all the teams that punished us
when we give them space. Simple as that."
New York was in contention for the MLS Supporters' Shield earlier this season,
but going 1-1-3 over its last five games has seen the club fall off the pace.
The Red Bulls have even dropped out of second place in the East due to the
Chicago Fire's dominant play of late. As a result, Hans Backe's side heads
into the final four games of the season tied with D.C. United on 50 points
apiece.
Toronto should be flying high after picking up a 3-0 victory over CD Aguila in
CONCACAF Champions League play midweek, a result that has lifted some weight
off the shoulders of head coach Paul Mariner.
"I'm feeling a bit better than I've been for the past few weeks," Mariner told
MLSsoccer.com by telephone from El Salvador. "It was very difficult
circumstances, the field - it wasn't the greatest surface in the world - so
some passes went awry. But a 3-0 win away from home, a clean sheet, I was
very, very pleased, all the staff were pleased."
Toronto could be fatigued due to the long trip to El Salvador, but expect
Mariner's side to remain energetic as it looks to pull off a shocking upset.
The Sports Network