Toronto FC head west to play rival Vancouver Whitecaps. The Reds are one point outside of the playoff places and a win could take them above the Eastern Conference’s Chicago Fire.
Manager Greg Vanney has watched his team go winless in five straight matches with four of those games ending in losses. Toronto FC have not scored a goal in the last 270 minutes of MLS play as they have struggled in front of goal.
The Vancouver Whitecaps, on the other hand, go into the fixture having lost just once in their last six matches. Vancouver won their most recent MLS fixture against FC Dallas, 2-1, and will be confident with a slumping Toronto coming to BC Place.
Manager Marc Dos Santos’ Whitecaps have struggled in front of goal this term. Vancouver have scored just 16 goals while conceding 19. They have the lowest tally of goals in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Toronto FC have tallied 22 strikes, which is good for third most in the East.
Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC clashed three times in 2018 in all competitions. All three games saw both teams score and over 2.5 goals tallied. These two MLS clubs love to play against one another as they score goals.
Toronto FC’s last visit to BC Place ended in a 2-2 draw. The Reds, however, won their most recent fixture against the Whitecaps, 5-2, which was played in Toronto at BMO Field last August. The Reds have won five all-time meetings with Vancouver since the two first met in MLS in 2011.
Vanney has had goal scoring come from two of his best paid players throughout the early part of the season. Striker Jozy Altidore and attacking midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo have tallied five goals apiece.
The Whitecaps have relied on the scoring of striker Fredy Montero. The former Seattle Sounders player is in his second stint with the Whitecaps and has provided goal scoring to a side short on high-calibre threats. Montero has four goals but two have come from the penalty spot.
Toronto FC are sweating the fitness of midfielder Michael Bradley. He could still be fit to make the squad.
Vancouver have a lengthy injury list with the likes of Michael Baldisimo, Lass Bangoura, and Doneil Henry are all out of Saturday’s game.
The Whitecaps’ lengthy injury list of seven players will hurt their chances of a win. Toronto FC will pick up the victory at BC Place and improve their chances to get into the playoff places.