Vanney, who replaced Ryan Nelsen at the helm on Sunday, leads his out-of-form side into a clash against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
Toronto are winless in four matches and host a team also competing for a play-off spot in the Eastern Conference.
“We want to start the game with the idea that we're going to win the game," Vanney told a news conference.
"I want to dictate the game on both sides of the ball. I don't like waiting and letting the other team dictate what we do.
"What's important for me is that we bring a high level of energy to the field and we bring a confidence level to the field that we're trying to get three points, that we're not going to try to survive."
"It's tricky," Curtin said.
"Any time you get a new coach in, there's going to be that initial burst. We've talked about how the first 15 minutes of this game will dictate a lot.
"They're going to come in flying, trying to impress the new coach. But we just have to get through the first 15 minutes.
"After that, it will settle down and the game should take care of itself."
The in-form Los Angeles Galaxy, still challenging for the Supporters' Shield, host the struggling Colorado Rapids.
