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Toronto FC vs. Orlando SC: Preview and How to Watch

By Mark Shannon

Apr 21, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC fans display their flags against the Chicago Fire at BMO Field. at BMO Field. Toronto defeated Chicago 3-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC fans display their flags against the Chicago Fire at BMO Field. at BMO Field. Toronto defeated Chicago 3-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto FC will take on one of the hottest teams in the MLS when they lock horns with Orlando City FC on Wednesday night.

It’s been two weeks of great soccer from Toronto FC in front of their home crowd, and Toronto can end their three game home-stand with a big win against the Eastern Conference leading Orlando City side.

Toronto, arguably has the best one-two punch up front with Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco. They put on a master class of give and go’s last time out against Houston and they’ll look to do the same against Orlando in Wednesday night.  Toronto will have to contend with the leagues hottest striker in Cyle Larin who is tied for second in goals with six on the season.

Orlando, have shown that they’re a force to be reckoned with as they sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 6-1-0 record.  Canadian kid Cyle Larin will look to put on a show in his home town. Kaka made his return last weekend scoring in Orlando’s 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids. He will hope to have continue their luck against Toronto, and extend their lead in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto FC

Apr 28, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore (17) celebrates with forward Sebastian Giovinco (10) and midfielder Michael Bradley (4) and midfielder Victor Vazquez (7) after scoring his second goal against the Houston Dynamo in the first half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore (17) celebrates with forward Sebastian Giovinco (10) and midfielder Michael Bradley (4) and midfielder Victor Vazquez (7) after scoring his second goal against the Houston Dynamo in the first half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /
  • Current Record (W-L-D): 3-4-1
  • Last Time Out:  2-0 Win vs Houston Dynamo
  • Player to Watch For:  Nick Hagglund. He has has stepped into the role vacated by Drew Moor while he is out with injury and has done admirably.  Toronto has looked steady at the back end for the past two games and much of that has to do with the chemistry Hagglund, Zavaleta and Morrow have together.  They’ll be tasked with making sure the big forward for Orlando doesn’t do any damage to Toronto.
  • Why They Win: Toronto once again controls the possession game and breaks down the Orlando defense.  Playing the tiki-taka style they played last week against Houston will go along way to winning this game.  Altidore and Giovinco will have to continue to do the same thing they did last weekend with pretty little give-and-go’s and quick one touch passes.
  • Why They Don’t:  They will lose this game if they allow Cyle Larin the time and space to latch onto balls in front of goal.  He’s got a penchant for getting really tight to the goal and scoring. So if Hagglund and his defenders can keep him under wraps then they should be good, but if not then it will be a long game for Toronto.
  • Predicted Starting Xl:

Orlando City FC

Apr 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando City SC forward Carlos Rivas (11) celebrates with forward Will Johnson (8) and the fans after he scored a goal against the Colorado Rapids during the second half at Orlando City Stadium. Orlando City SC defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando City SC forward Carlos Rivas (11) celebrates with forward Will Johnson (8) and the fans after he scored a goal against the Colorado Rapids during the second half at Orlando City Stadium. Orlando City SC defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
  • Current Record (W-L-D): 6-1-0
  • Last Time Out: 2-0 Win over the Colorado Rapids
  • Player to Watch For: Cyle Larin.  He’s been scoring goals all-season, six to be exact, and Toronto will have to slow him down if they want to win.  He’s a big target man who controls the ball well and is pretty good with the ball at his feet.  He’ll try and get close to the net to give himself the best chance at scoring a goal.
  • Why They Win: They break down the Toronto defence with through balls to Larin and Kaka controls the game like we know he can.  Winning the battle of the midfield against one of the best midfields in the MLS will be a huge step in the right direction for Orlando who have done a fine job of this through the first nine weeks.
  • Why They Don’t:  Toronto frustrates their offence and keeps them under wraps.  They get out possessed all game and don’t create a lot of chances at Alex Bono’s net.  If the names Larin and Kaka aren’t being said a lot by the commentators then its not going very well for Orlando.
  • Predicted Starting Xl:

How to Watch: 

Where: BMO Field 

When: Wednsday, May 3rd, 2017 7:30 pm ET

Channel: TSN, MLS Live, TV 27

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