MLS: Toronto FC vs Seattle Sounders Preview

A heavily depleted Toronto FC will play host to a replenished Seattle Sounders at the BMO Field on 2nd July 2016, in their only meeting in the MLS this season.

Both teams enter this matchup desperate for a win to improve their positions in their respective conference tables, with the Canadian outfit sitting in 7th spot in the Eastern Conference and Sounders further down in 9th in the Western Conference.

The two sides are, however, have garnered some momentum despite their dismal league form. Toronto FC are on a high after winning the 2016 Voyageurs Cup final courtesy a stoppage time goal from Will Johnson. Their opponents also managed a result in their last game, requiring penalty kicks to overcome Real Salt Lake and reach the quarterfinals of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Toronto FC vs Seattle Sounders will be officiated by referee Kevin Stott (284 MLS games).

Team Updates:

Toronto FC

According to the official MLS Soccer Website, the home team have a total of six players absent from the squad. Michael Bradley has recently returned from Copa America duty with a sprained knee, which will rule him out for 6 weeks. Will Johnson joins the Toronto FC captain on the treatment table after falling on his left knee and fracturing his tibial plateau following his Cup final heroics.

The midfield duo are two out of four starters missing for Toronto FC, with first choice keeper Clint Irwin recently picking up a quad injury and Jozy Altidore still a few weeks away from full fitness. The problems caused by their absences will hopefully be solved by some of the club’s homegrown talent, who seem to have stepped up to the task in recent weeks.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Bono – Morrow – Moor – Zavaleta – Hagglund – Cheyrou – Delgado – Endoh – Osorio – Giovinco – Babouli

Seattle Sounders

Defender Roman Torres is the only player out injured for the Sounders, which allows them to utilize a nearly full strength squad.

Franchise player Clint Dempsey should be back after his goal-scoring exploits with the USMNT at the Copa America Centenario. His presence will provide much needed ammunition to a team that has struggled for goals this season.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Frei – Remick – Marshall – Evans – Mears – Ivanschitz – Friberg – Alonso – Morris – Dempsey – Kovar

MLS Head to Head:

The Seattle Sounders have lost only twice to Toronto FC in 10 meetings, managing seven wins along the way. What’s even more impressive is their record against the home side in the last five meetings between the two – four wins and one draw, including victories in the past couple of seasons.

The last time Toronto FC beat Seattle was at their home ground all the way back in April 2010, although the experience this time out might be a a little different for the visitors. The BMO Field was recently opened in May 2016 after renovation, which saw its capacity bumped up to 30,000 amongst several other enhancements to the overall stadium atmosphere.

Current Standings and Recent Form:

Toronto FC (DDLWL)

After a promising beginning to the season, Toronto FC are slowly slipping into a state of mediocrity. Only one win in their last five games leaves them in seventh place in the Conference with 19 points, with their sixth loss of the season and third consecutive loss on the road coming about in a highly controversial 3-2 loss to Orlando City SC.

Even more worrisome is their growing injury list, which is threatening to derail the team’s ambitions this season.

15 games, 19 points, 7th place in Eastern Conference (5 wins – 4 draws – 6 losses)

Seattle Sounders (LLWLL)

A lack of goals pretty much sums up the Seattle Sounders’ season so far. Having scored a league-lowest 13 goals so far in 15 league games (Toronto FC has 17 in as many games, second lowest in their conference), the Rave Green languish in 9th place in the Western Conference with 16 points. They’ve already lost 9 games, including the most recent 0-2 home loss to New York City from the Eastern Conference.

15 games, 16 points, 9th place in Western Conference (5 wins – 1 draw – 9 losses)

 Players to Watch:

While Seattle Sounders will looking to take advantage of Toronto FC’s injury crisis and earn three points, they will have to watch out for the MVP of the Reds. On the back of a terrific first season,

Sebastian Giovinco has definitely established himself as one of the best players in the MLS. La Formica Atomica has eight goals and six assists already this season and will be focused on creating a nuisance for the away side, as Toronto FC look to salvage their season.

Returning Clint Dempsey will be hoping to start for the Sounders and reproduce a performance similar to the one he had the last time the two clubs met, when he scored one and created another to help his club to a 2-1 win at the CenturyLink Field.

Prediction:

This game should be a very tight affair despite Toronto being without four of their first team players.

Draw 1-1