For Toronto FC, two-goal lead means little at NYC's Yankee Stadium bandbox

The new Yankee Stadium that opened in 2009 has lived up to the legacy established by the original building that used to stand just a few feet away. With a similar design to the House That Ruth Built, it’s a fitting testament to the sports history that’s taken place - a true cathedral to baseball.

For soccer, not so much.

After a 2-0 scoreline last Sunday at BMO Field, Toronto FC will look to seal the deal amid the awkward atmosphere of NYCFC’s home field, its playing surface shoehorned into the baseball outfield and part of the infield. Measuring 110 yards by 70 yards, it's the smallest playing field in MLS and indeed the minimum allowed under FIFA regulations (BMO Field, by comparison, checks in at 115 yards by 74 yards, while the L.A. Galaxy's Stubhub Field surface is the league's most spacious at 120 yards by 80 yards).

Under normal circumstances, Toronto would be quite comfortable with a two-goal lead and 90 minutes to go in the home-and-away total goals conference semifinal. But given the small field at Yankee Stadium, there is every possibility that goals can fly in from just about anywhere.

“On the smaller confines and the fact that the game is quicker, there are more transitions because people are going closer together that chances come out of these games,” said TFC head coach Greg Vanney after Thursday’s training session at their Downsview headquarters, where they narrowed the practice field’s dimensions to simulate what awaits on Sunday.

“Very rarely will you see a game at Yankee Stadium where there are minimal chances for either side.”

That’s no exaggeration. Yankee Stadium is a place that defenders and goalkeepers dread as un-soccer like scores are commonplace. Fortunately for TFC, it’s not always in the home team’s favour.

NYCFC wrapped up the regular season with a pair of 4-1 victories and hasn’t lost at home since June, but they did lose an embarrassing 7-0 game to local rival the Red Bulls back in May. Toronto played there in March and tied NYCFC 2-2. Last season, the teams played to a 4-4 draw.

Toronto would be unwise to play defensively-minded. Then again, with so much attacking talent at its disposal, TFC’s a squad that has no bunker mentality.

“We’re an attacking team. We like to create chances so I figure we’ll still see that during the game,” said forward Jozy Altidore. “I think there will be times where we’ll be smart but when you play with a guy like Seba (Giovinco), there’s only so much defending you’ll do. There’ll be times when you break forward.”

With three fully fit designated players, Toronto would look to have the advantage in that area with Andrea Pirlo’s status up in the air for New York. That said, Frank Lampard came off the bench last Sunday while David Villa will be available on Sunday after the MLS disciplinary committee did not suspend Villa for kicking TFC’s Armando Cooper.

If Villa shows up and is influential as part of a New York competition, the committee will have a lot to answer for after ruling that Villa deserved a red card on Villa but the offence was not egregious enough to merit a suspension.

Toronto’s not worrying about any controversy and is fully aware of what Villa can bring. On that smaller surface, mistakes are amplified and If TFC concedes early, things will get very interesting.

But if TFC scores first or can at least frustrate the potent NYCFC attack for long periods of time, then the team and fans can head into the international break with a first-ever MLS Eastern Conference final waiting for them on the other side.