Toronto FC Vs Orlando City: 3 things to look for

TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 26: Jonathan Osorio (21) of Toronto FC shoots the ball during the CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 match between Toronto FC and Independiente de la Chorrera on February 26, 2019, at BMO Field in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Orlando City will look to bounce back from their U.S. Open Cup exit when they travel north to take on Toronto FC. Here are three things to look for.

Toronto FC and Orlando City are looking to keep their playoff aspirations alive heading into Saturday’s meeting between the two sides at BMO Field. Each team played in their respective national cup competitions this past Wednesday, with Toronto defeating provincial rivals Ottawa Fury 2-0 and Orlando falling to Atlanta United by the same margin.

In league play, TFC are coming off a 2-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls, wherein the Canadian side were mediocre at both ends of the pitch. Conversely, Orlando dug deep to secure a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas last weekend to keep their Eastern playoff hopes alive.

Given last week’s results, just three points separate Toronto FC from their opponents. The Reds currently occupy the eighth spot in East on 32 points, whereas the Lions sit just one slot behind on 29 points. As such, we should expect a tense affair when the two clubs take the field on Saturday night.

Here are three things to look for heading into this weekend’s match-up in Toronto.

FOXBOROUGH, MA – JULY 27: Orlando City SC head coach James O’Connor in the coaches box during a match between the New England Revolution and Orlando City SC on July 27, 2019, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

3. Short-handed Orlando City

Since they played two intense matches over four days heading into this weekend, Orlando City are likely to rest some key players despite the potential playoff implications of their clash in Toronto. Orlando City manager James O’Connor fielded a side largely consisting of first-team players in midweek. He started his preferred back four, Sacha Kljestan, Sebastian Mendez, and Will Johnson played in midfield, while Tesho Akindele, Dom Dwyer, and Nani formed Orlando’s attacking trident.

Additionally, injury concerns may prevent two regular starters from seeing action against Toronto. Left-back Joao Moutinho had to be substituted in the 78th minute against Atlanta due to a tight hamstring, which may result in limited minutes for the Portuguese defender, while Johnson is listed as questionable with an abductor injury.

With a fatigued and battered squad at his disposal, it will be interesting to see how much James O’Connor deviates from his preferred starting XI considering a win in Toronto would go a long way toward bolstering his squad’s playoff hopes.