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Columbus Crew Vs Toronto FC: 3 things to look for – Exploiting shorthanded defense

By Marko Babic

COLUMBUS, OH - MAY 11: Columbus Crew SC Head Coach Caleb Porter reacting to a play during the game between the Columbus Crew SC and the Los Angeles FC at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on May 11, 2019. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - MAY 11: Columbus Crew SC Head Coach Caleb Porter reacting to a play during the game between the Columbus Crew SC and the Los Angeles FC at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on May 11, 2019. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Columbus Crew, Caleb Porter
COLUMBUS, OH – MAY 11: Columbus Crew SC Head Coach Caleb Porter reacting to a play during the game between the Columbus Crew SC and the Los Angeles FC at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on May 11, 2019. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Toronto FC continue their playoff push when they travel to Ohio to take on the Columbus Crew. Here are three things to look for ahead of Saturday’s match.

Toronto FC look to carry the momentum gained from their advancement to the Canadian Championship final in midweek into this Saturday’s match against the Columbus Crew at MAPFRE Stadium.

Prior to their 3-0 win on Wednesday, Toronto FC played out a frustrating 1-1 draw at home against an undermanned Orlando City side. As such, the Reds slipped to ninth in the East on 33 points. Conversely, Columbus fought back from a two-goal deficit to draw state rivals FC Cincinnati in the first-ever Hell is Real derby last weekend. Consequently, the Crew still have an outside shot at a playoff berth, sitting just seven points behind the seventh-placed Montreal Impact.

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With six of their nine remaining games coming on the road, Toronto FC will be eager to take all three points against the injury-plagued Crew to remain in contention for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Here are three things to look for heading into this weekend’s clash in Columbus.

COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 10: Columbus Crew SC forward Youness Mokhtar #34 controls the ball during the match between Columbus Crew SC and FC Cincinnati at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on August 10, 2019. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 10: Columbus Crew SC forward Youness Mokhtar #34 controls the ball during the match between Columbus Crew SC and FC Cincinnati at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on August 10, 2019. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Monitoring Mokhtar

Recent signing Youness Mokhtar impressed in his MLS debut last weekend. Coming on for Luis Diaz in the 54th minute, the 27-year-old Moroccan winger added a new dimension to the Crew’s attack, his speed and comfort on the ball enabling him to engage in some clever interplay with his teammates, while his two shots on target tested experienced Polish keeper Przemyslaw Tyton.

Although the Utrecht native has been unable to earn consistent playing time in recent years, some of his qualities suggest he could emerge as a key contributor to the Columbus Crew’s attack. The right-footed Mokhtar has typically been deployed as an inverted left-winger, preferring to operate in and around the box as opposed to hugging the touchline. Even though he is not especially gifted from a technical standpoint, Mokhtar has been known to use body feints and fakes to separate from his marker before unleashing curled efforts beating opposition keepers at the far post throughout his career.

It is unclear whether Mokhtar will start or come off the bench for the Crew on Saturday, however, Toronto FC’s defenders will have to keep a close eye on the Moroccan if they are to prevent him from making an impact on Saturday.

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