Can Toronto FC continue their unbeaten run against the New England Revolution?
By Mark Shannon
It’s been a long time since Toronto FC has lost a regular season game and they’ll look to keep their unbeaten run going on Saturday when they take on the Revolution in New England.
Toronto FC were one of the favourites heading into the 2017 MLS season, but could anyone think they’d be this good? The deepest roster in the entire MLS seems to find a way to win games. Last week without both Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore, Toronto found a way to win against Columbus…..more like wallop Columbus. Sebastian Giovinco is back after scoring mid-week against Edmonton. Victor Vazquez might be the best play maker in the entire MLS the way he is playing right now. The list of standout players this season goes on and on. They’ll need some more standout performances on Saturday when they head to Foxborough to take on the Revs with an eye on keeping their unbeaten streak alive at nine games. Playing on the road has never been easy for Toronto, but they’ve been pretty good so far this season losing only once in six games this season.
The New England Revolution on the other hand have been up-and-down this season and currently sit eighth in the East with a record of 4-5-5. It’s also a short week for the Revs who ended up tying New York City FC 2-2 on Wednesday night. Kei Kamara, Juan Agudelo and Lee Nguyen have all been key cogs into the little bit of success the Revs have had this season. Nugyen is currently tied for the team lead in goals with this season with six, along with Juan Agudelo, who himself is having a bounce back season. New England gets a little bit of a break as Toronto will be without both Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley as both are away representing the USA.
Toronto FC
Record: 8-1-5
Last Game: 5-0 Win vs Columbus
Player To Watch For:
Sebastian Giovinco. He’s had a three weeks off due to injury, but he’s back and he’ll be looking to make up for lost time. In his first game back on Wednesday against Edmonton in Canadian Championship action, Giovinco came on as a substitute and scored a goal. The diminutive Italian will look to cause havoc for the Revolutions back line and will look to link up well with Victor Vazquez.
Why They Win:
Toronto have been the best team in the MLS going unbeaten in their last eight matches and there’s no way that unbeaten run shouldn’t continue. Even on the road Toronto likes to control play and make the other team chase them. Vazquez in he middle has been the reason Toronto’s offence has exploded. His timely balls, quick feet and great vision make him one of the best playmakers in the entire MLS. Once again Toronto will control the possession and take their eighth win in nine matches.
Why They Lose:
They are without both Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley for this matchup. Bradley hasn’t missed a game this season and has been a rock in the midfield and a key reason for their success this season. Without Bradley Benoit Cheyrou will step into that spot, and Cheyrou has looked good in the games he’s been involved in so far this season. Bradley is Bradley however and coping without the hard-nosed defender will be a tough task. If they can’t cope then it might be a long night for Toronto FC
Starting XI vs New England Revoltuion
New England Revolution
Record: 4-5-5
Last Game: 2-2 Draw vs New York City FC
Player To Watch For:
Toronto has to keep an eye on Lee Nguyen. He’s tied for the lead on the team in goals with six this season and If he can find some space to score some goals tonight against Toronto then it’ll be a long night for the Reds. Nguyen has linked up well with their offence this season with Agudelo, Fagundez and Kamara. He’s been able to keep defences guessing all season so far.
Why They Win:
Both teams are coming off mid-week games, but if they can take advantage of the absences of Bradley and Altidore then there’s no way they should win. Everyone in the MLS knows the kind of rock that Bradley is in the midfield for Toronto, so with him missing his first game, that may hurt Toronto. The Revolution offense will have to try to stretch out a defense that has been hard to break down this season even with a bunch of injuries.
Why They Lose:
Toronto is just too deep for them. Sebastian Giovinco will be back in the lineup, but Cheyrou and others will have to step into Altidore and Bradley’s spots and produce. Cheyrou has been on a hot streak recently and Toronto will be looking for him to continue the pace and play he’s been able to produce so far this season. Ricketts will have to link up well up front with Giovinco in hopes of helping Toronto continue their unbeaten run at nine games.
Starting XI vs Toronto FC
Prediction
Where to Watch
Location: Gillette Stadium
Date & Time: June 3rd, 2017
Canada: TSN1 – TSN4
USA: MLS LIVE