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Toronto FC vs Sporting Kansas City: Preview and How to Watch

By Mark Shannon

Dec 10, 2016; Toronto, Canada; (Editors note: a tilt-shift lens was used to create this image) An overall view of the field before the 2016 MLS Cup between the Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; Toronto, Canada; (Editors note: a tilt-shift lens was used to create this image) An overall view of the field before the 2016 MLS Cup between the Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto FC will take on Sporting Kansas City in their first home game of the season.

It’s been almost three months since Toronto last hosted a MLS match, and that game didn’t go as planned. While Toronto has started the season undefeated, they’ll be looking to make amends to their fans after losing the MLS Cup Final back in December.

Toronto will have Sebastian Giovinco back from injury this weekend, but their are still a lot of question marks for Greg Vanney heading into this game.  He’ll have Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, and Armando Cooper back from International duty, but how fit will they be?

Does Vanney elect to sit Altidore in favor of Jordan Hamilton, who himself is coming off International duty representing Canada at the U-23’s in Qatar. So It should be a raucous atmosphere inside BMO Field, nonetheless.

Dec 10, 2016; Toronto, Canada; Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco (10) reacts after his kick goes wide against the Seattle Sounders at BMO Field. Seattle defeated Toronto on penalty kicks. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; Toronto, Canada; Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco (10) reacts after his kick goes wide against the Seattle Sounders at BMO Field. Seattle defeated Toronto on penalty kicks. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Three Keys for Toronto

1. Use BMO’s energy
Toronto FC fans have been waiting for this moment since Ramon Torres scored to give the Sounders the MLS Cup.  They want the chance to see their home team compete in front of them. While it wasn’t that long ago, only a little shy of three months, it’s been long overdue.

Toronto will have to use the atmosphere to their advantage.  It seemed to show last year during the playoffs especially against Montreal in their Eastern Conference finals matchup.

2. Get Giovinco involved
Giovinco will be making his first appearance for Toronto FC after limping off with an injury against the Union in the second game of the season. They have relied on Jozy Altidore in Seba’s absence, but if Jozy can’t go, they’ll need to rely on Giovinco. The Atomic Ant will be looking to get on the scoresheet for the first time this season, as many pundits expect him to be near the top of the Golden Boot race again.

3. Control possession
In all three games prior, Toronto has controlled possession for most of the game and they have gotten good results. They must do so again against Sporting Kansas City if they hope to take all three points from this game.  They’ll also have to force them into making mistakes and hitting them on the counter, as Toronto has one of the most deadliest counter-attacks in the MLS.

Starting XI vs Sporting Kansas City

After their win against the Earthquakes in week three, Sporting Kansas City will be looking to keep up their winning ways when they take on Toronto FC on Friday.

For Kansas City this will be a tough test, as they’ll go head-to-head with the reigning Eastern Conference Champions Toronto FC.  As they have some question marks going into this game. Benny Feilhaber is nursing a hamstring injury and is questionable for Friday.  On the other hand they also have Roger Espinoza who is coming off International duty with Honduras, but do they start him?

It will be a battle to keep Giovinco and Toronto FC off the scoresheet.  Sporting Kansas City holds a great record allowing only one goal through their first three games of the season.  While holding Toronto off the scoresheet would be a huge win for Kansas City, they’ll also have turn up their offence.  An offence that has only scored twice to start the season, and they’ll be going against a defence that has only surrendered two goals so far this season.

Three keys to victory for Sporting Kansas City

1. Win the midfield battle 

For Sporting Kansas City to win, they’ll have to win the battle of the midfields.  Toronto has one of the best midfields in the game.  If Feilhaber is out, they will have to try and limit their mistakes, and make sure they’re making smart decisions.

Mar 18, 2017; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting Kansas City forward Dom Dwyer (14) warms up before the match against the San Jose Earthquakes at Children’s Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting Kansas City forward Dom Dwyer (14) warms up before the match against the San Jose Earthquakes at Children’s Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Can Dom Dwyer do a little more?

While he is now an American citizen, Dwyer will be looking to add a few more goals to add to his tally.  Toronto FC plays stifling defence and doesn’t allow for much time and space to create.  So whenever he gets the chance to shoot, he should shoot.

3. Keep Toronto FC off the board

While it’s easier said then done, SKC will have to try and keep Toronto from scoring this weekend. Melia has allowed only one goal through their first three games, but this will be one of the biggest tests he has faced so far this year.  Sporting Kansas City have had a tough go of it on the road winning only once in their last 16 games.

Starting XI vs Toronto FC

Where to watch:

Canada: TSN4

USA: FS1-Fox Deportes-MLSLive

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