FC Cincinnati could clinch the top spot in the Eastern Conference of the MLS with a win over Toronto FC away from home.
Toronto FC, who are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference of MLS, are all set to host FC Cincinnati at the BMO Field on Saturday. Both teams have been in great form this season, and they will be eager to add three more points to their table.
The home team have accumulated 22 points in their 14 league outings. They are just a point behind the third and the fourth-placed team, which means a win here could see them climb up the table.
Toronto are heading into this one on the back of two massive wins over Montreal (5-1) and Saint-Laurent (8-1). Those wins will surely give them the belief that they can take down the visitors.
Cincinnati are second in the Eastern Conference with 30 points in their 14 outings. They are just a point behind league leaders Inter Miami despite having a game in hand. A win here will see them go top of the table and maintain the press on Lionel Messi’s team.
The visitors have won each of their last six games heading into this one, and they will be a force to reckon with. Stopping them will be very difficult for Toronto despite the fact that they will be playing in their own backyard. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Toronto FC
The home team will be without the services of Shane O’Neill and Brandon Servania. Meanwhile, the availability of Kevin Long and Jonathan Osorio for this fixture is a major doubt.
Toronto FC will go ahead with the 3-4-2-1 formation, where Sean Johnson will take charge in goal. The back three will be made up of Raoul Petretta, Nicksoen Gomis, and Sigurd Rosted.
They will for a clean sheet and will have the support of Federico Bernardeschi and Tyrese Spicer, who will feature in a wing-back’s role. In the centre of the park, Matty Longstaff and Alonso Coello will look to control the tempo. Derrick Etienne Jr. and Lorenzo Insigne will feature in behind their striker Prince Owusu as the two attacking midfielders.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Johnson; Rosted, Gomis, Petretta; Bernardeschi, Coello, Longstaff, Spicer; Etienne, Insigne; Owusu
FC Cincinnati
The visitors will be without Aaron Boupendza, Alvas Powell, and DeAndre Yedlin for this high-voltage fixture against Toronto. Meanwhile, the availability of Corey Baird is doubtful.
Cincinnati will stick to the 3-4-1-2 formation. Roman Celentano will take charge in goal for the away team while Kipp Keller, Ian Murphy, and Matt Miazga will feature in the heart of the defence.
The back three will receive support from Bret Halsey and Luca Orellano, who will feature out wide on the flanks as wing-backs. Obinna Nwobodo and Pavel Bucha will provide control from midfield. Meanwhile, Luciano Acosta will be the attacking midfielder behind the attacking duo of Sergio Santos and Gerardo Valenzuela.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Celentano; Keller, Miazga, Murphy; Halsey, Nwobodo, Bucha, Orellano; Acosta; Santos, Valenzuela
Ways to Watch
Key Stats
- The visitors have won each of their last six games.
- FC Toronto have lost two out of their last three league games.
- FC Cincinnati have the best defence in the MLS so far having conceded just 11 goals.
- The visitors are unbeaten against Toronto in their last five regular league games.
- Toronto have lost their last two home games against Cincinnati by a single goal.
Player to Watch
Federico Bernardeschi
The former Juventus star has been a force to reckon with this season in the MLS. He has found the back of the net on seven occasions and also has three assists in his 14 outings across competitions. The 30-year-old will be eager to add to his tally when he takes the field against the second-best team in the conference.
Prediction
Toronto FC 2-3 FC Cincinnati
Given the kind of form both teams have been in, expect this one to be a high-scoring thriller. While Toronto might have lost two out of their last three league games, they are heading into this one on the back of two dominating wins and will surely give Cincinnati a run for their money.
Meanwhile, the visitors have won each of their last six matches and they might manage to keep their streak going with another win here. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-2 win for the visitors.
